One expected Shamitabh to take an opening of around 40%. Considering the fact that the film had found a reasonably good release, especially at the multiplexes, an occupancy of this kind would have resulted in good numbers. However, the film opened at around the 30% mark, which means the opening day collections were approximately 3.5 crore. The weekend did show some growth, as a result of which around 13 crore* came in.
Five years ago, when Paa released, it had managed an opening week of around 17 crore. While that number will be comfortably surpassed by Shamitabh by the time the first week comes to a close, one waits to see how far it goes from there. The reviews have been somewhat mixed, although this is one film which is entirely for the multiplexes. Since it has a week completely to itself, this Amitabh Bachchan-Balki affair does have an advantage of sorts.
The other two releases, Hum Tum Dushman Dushman and Jai Jawaan Jai Kisaan, just came and went with not even critics caring to carry a review.
* Final numbers awaited