Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi set to turn the tide for producers

The success of Shah Rukh Khan-starrer Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi has come as a shot in the arm for producers, who are now planning to release forthcoming films including Ghajini and Chandni Chowk To China in at least 1,000 theatres across the country.

Film trade analysts say that Ghajini, due on December 25, will be screened in over 1000 cinemas, while Chandni Chowk To China, releasing on January 9, will probably be screened at a larger number of theatres. Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi was released in around 950 cinemas.

According to the Box Office India trade report, Rab Ne? will gross anywhere between Rs 40-50 crore. The cost of the film was around Rs 40 crore, including release costs. Minimum returns on the film include Rs 30 crore from the domestic box-office, Rs 20 crore from overseas box-offices, Rs 20 crore from satellite and around Rs 10 crore from other revenue sources.

This takes the total revenue to around Rs 80 crore, against the Rs 40 crore cost. These revenue figures are minimal and returns will probably end up being higher.

Box-Office India says, “Both Ghajini and Chandni Chowk To China are aimed at the youth, while Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi is for families; families prefer watching the film at a later point in time. Ghajini and Chandni Chowk should start big from the first show as both are action films and are aimed at the masses. If they do not start well, they will have a hard time as action films do not pick up like family movies.”

The only way the films could have a slow start is if the releases is well over the top, in terms of shows and cinemas.

Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi was slow to take off, but made rapid progress throughout the day the film released and witnessed full houses in the opening weekend at the major centres. Smaller centres were much slower to improve. On the first day, business was around 80-85%; the film is likely to be a huge earner for Yashraj films.

Among other films playing the theatres, Dil Kabaddi grossed around Rs 3.50 crore in its first week after release, but due to the release of Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, had very limited shows in its second week.

Rab Ne has raked in Rs 16.50 crore from the overseas markets thus far. Its opening overseas was the second biggest ever, after Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna.

The numbers in the traditional overseas markets, North America and the United Kingdom, are big but not as huge as some in the trade were expecting. The film did well in other smaller and newer markets, especially in UAE, where all records have been smashed.