Spotted: Abhishek Bachchan with Mary Kom in London

Abhishek Bachchan with Mary Kom in London

Bol Bachchan collects Rs 12.10 cr at Box Office on first day

Director Rohit Shetty's latest movie Bol Bachchan has opened to a very good response at the Box Office in India. The Ajay Devgn and Abhishek Bachchan starrer film has raked in Rs 12.10 crores nett at the collection centres across the country on the first day. Its business is expected to grow up in the following days.

Bol Bachchan registered 60% to 70% occupancy in the morning shows in the cinema halls across the country. The movie received very good response in Mumbai circuit, where it had occupancy ranging between 70% and 85%. But its business was affected by the wide release of multilingual movie Eega in the South India.

Meanwhile, it should be said that Punjabi movie Jatt and Juliet, which was released last week, has been still running strong at the Box Office in the North India. Trade analysts opine that this movie has also affected the collection of Bol Bachchan. This movie has turned out to be a big blow on the latter film.

The movie got positive reviews from film critics. In addition to this, the positive feedback from the film goers boosted the collection in the noon shows. Its occupancy grew further in the evening shows. Trade analysts feel that the word of mouth would play a magic in its collection on Saturday and Sunday.

However, Bol Bachchan has got good opening at the International Box Office. The movie, which hit the screens in UAE on Thursday, has collected Rs 1.86 cr (AED1,230,000) in the country in two days. The film, which released on Thursday in Australia, has grossed Rs 30.52 lakhs (A$53,950) in two days. It has collected Rs 8.21 lakhs (NZ$18,578) at the New Zealand Box Office. It has collected Rs 33.68 lakhs (£39,251) from 50 screens at the UK Box Office.

Bol Bachchan in trouble on eve of release?

According to reports Ashtvinayak Films, the producers of Bol Bachchan, have been declared as defaulters by the Bombay High Court over the non-payment of dues to a well-known film financier Raju Shah. It is reported that after the cheques issued by the Corporate production house bounced, the financier had moved the High Court for relief. Shah has reportedly claimed dues of Rs.41 crores.


The Court has also directed the company to come clean about its business dealings and various rights related to its latest film Bol Bachchan, scheduled for release on 6th July 2012. The film is directed by Rohit Shetty and stars Ajay Devgn, Abhishek Bachchan (in double role), Asin, and Prachi Desai. Even Big B has performed a song and dance number in the film. BOL BACHCHAN has been acquired by Fox Star Studios for a whopping price of 72 crores according to trade buzz.

The sources suggest that the release of the film may not be affected at this juncture since on record the film has already been 'delivered' by the processing lab Reliance MediaWorks Ltd. It is a common film industry practice whereby an aggrieved creditor may approach the concerned film lab to block the delivery of the film until his dues are paid. Hectic negotiations are on to settle the matter between the financier and Ashtvinayak Films and work out a compromise formula.

BY glamsham

Are Salman and Abhishek playing the avoidance game?

Abhishek Bachchan has been stationed at Bandra's Mehboob Studios since the past few days giving interviews for his upcoming film with Ajay Devgn

Interestingly, Salman Khan has also been shooting at the studio and that too on the opposite floor.

While both have cleverly avoided bumping into each other, we wonder what will happen when they actually do!

Salman’s staff meanwhile met Bachchan Junior on Wednesday afternoon. 

By Midday

Bollywood success bashes are just for effect: Ajay Devgn

Ajay Devgn says that celebrations are being held for flop films too now 

 

For your latest, Bol Bachchan, how did Ajay Devgn, the actor-producer of the film, agree to the title which is so quintessentially about another person? No insecurities here?

 
None at all; once you see the film you'll understand what I mean. The characters are very well defined and everyone has their place. Bol Bachchan is apt since it is about this one guy who is trying to con everyone and he keeps giving these bol bachchans. That's where it comes from. As part of the movie's team, when we were discussing the name, I agreed that it was perfect.

What kind of movies do you believe in producing?

 
I feel instinctively about the films I should produce, like Son of Sardar. The film has to be commercial and when I say commercial, I just don't mean masala. Even parallel cinema can be commercial. The point is to make the film run in theatres. We are not in the business of teaching art to the world. We have to entertain the audience.

Last year you'd said in an interview that you want to be a commercial hero. Since the first Golmaal (and all its sequels) Singham and now BB, Rohit Shetty and you seem to have hit upon some kind of winning formula. What is making you two click at the box office?

 
It's repetitive, but it's the understanding that we should make entertaining, commercial films. Both Rohit and I believe in commercial cinema. He just wants to entertain his audience and right now I am also in that mode. I'd rather do films that I don't have to worry about. I have done films like Zakhm which have won National Awards, but nobody comes with a script that great anymore.

Even an acclaimed actor like you worries about the box office success of a film?
Of course, you have to worry about the box office numbers. Otherwise, people are ready to run you down at the slightest chance. When you experiment with roles or genre; you have also to worry about its box office fate.

But doesn't your place in the top six actors of the country justify your choices (of roles) lately?
What you are calling success and wise choices comes with experience. I keep telling some of the younger kids, I wouldn't name them, that they should also attempt the kind of cinema we're doing. This cinema, which comprises out-and-out entertainers, has mostly got 1 or 1.5 stars from critics. But, it's the audience that likes these movies. You have to show your art and talent to them.

As a producer, do you feel jittery when your movies are about to release, even if they are "out-and-out" entertainers? How do you react to box office reactions?

 
Right now I am very happy with Bol Bachchan's hype and also with the response the poster of Son of Sardar has generated. Both films have shaped out well and I hope both are commercial successes. But, I am not hyper about the release. Someone asked Abhishek something similar recently, and he said that on Friday, when the movie releases, you wait for the opening collection, then you wait for the weekend collection, then the first week, the second week, etc, and by that time, you've lost all enthusiasm about it. I just move on after my film releases.

You don't believe in celebrating your movie's success?

 
I've never done that. Those bashes are more for other people. A lot of bashes are held even when a film has flopped. These are just for effect. I've heard people stand in these parties with a drink in their hand and say, 'Yaar mera toh paisa toota hai' , and yet they are celebrating.

You've had quite a busy time lately. How do you avoid getting disconnected from your friends and family?

 
It's most important for me to spend time with family. I've been tied up a bit these past couple of months. I don't shoot on Sundays, for instance. But when you shoot movies back-to-back, you do get disconnected from the outside world. When you go home you're preoccupied. And it's not a great thing. You have to reconnect with some people. My friends understand that. So does my family.

Presented by Fox Star Studios, Ajay Devgn Ffilms and Shree Aashtavinayak cinevision Ltd Bol Bachchan releases on July 6.

Garima Sharma, TNN | Jun 29, 2012, 12.00AM IST