As predicted in this column, Hero was on course to take the highest opening for newcomers this year. This isn’t all as around 30%-40% occupancy was on the cards for Friday. In that regard, everything just went by the script as the Nikhil Advani directed film managed to bring in 6.85 crore by the time the first day came to a close. These are more than just decent numbers and though the collections haven’t hit the roof, the fact that audiences have given two rank newcomers a chance at the Box Office says a lot about the promotional campaign that Salman Khan embarked on and the marketing/promotion/release done by Eros.
The situation would have seemed even more encouraging had the reviews been out and out positive for the film. However, since critics have given mixed reviews to the film, it would now eventually be ‘junta‘ that would decide the trending through word of mouth. While a 20 crore weekend is pretty much in the cards, a higher number would only make Sooraj and Athiya breathe a lot better.
Ironically, Hero is facing a challenge from Eros’ own Welcome Back that released last week. Next week, it would be Nikhil Advani’s Katti Batti that would hit the screens. This makes one look at Hero wrote closely on the distance that it eventually travels. Now that’s all the more important because industry would certainly benefit if it gets a couple of more leading actors in its stable.
Stay tuned for more updates!