A windfall release for Padmaavat?

Despite threats from multiple quarters, the hype around the film has ensured that 70 per cent of the seats in most theatres have been pre-booked over the first weekend.

Padmaavat has had more than its share of trouble. Reports kept coming in from all quarters about people threatening jauhar, vandalism and numerous other threats.

However, Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s dream project only seems to have benefited from all the press and hype. Trade sources claim that tickets are already selling like hotcakes for the first weekend. “The current status of bookings already shows that over 70 per cent of the seats have been booked out through the weekend. Since there’s plenty of time for the rest of the weekend to unfold, things are definitely looking up for the film,” says the trade source.

Indeed trade pundits across the board are hopeful about the outcomes of the first weekend of collections for the movie. “The hype, curiosity and excitement for Padmaavat is unheard of,” gushes trade analyst Atul Mohan. “The decision by Akshay Kumar to allow Padmaavat to have a free run, has been appreciated and respected and has set a new precedent to be followed. There is no doubt that now Padmaavat will have the widest possible release.”

Trade pundit Amod Mehera concurs with this view, adding that with the Supreme Court leaning in favour of the movie, it will now be unstoppable. “Now that Padmaavat is a solo release, the film is likely to break all records at the box-office. Of course that’s under the condition that it’s allowed a pan-India release. However, considering the fact that the Supreme Court has given its nod, I don’t see why not,” he nods, sagely.

Film critic and author Raja Sen, on the other hand, is a bit more doubtful and wonders if industry analysts are counting their chickens a bit too early. “I think Padmaavat’s troubles are unfortunately far from over. Several states and exhibitors will refrain from showing the film. The lack of an Akshay Kumar film (PadMan) will help its chances. But I doubt if the film can be as big a success as it needs to be in order to break even,” he says, solemnly.

Atul, however, is confident that the protests too, will die down in time. “According to sources, the protests should settle down after the first screening and after that the protesters would simply disperse,” he says. “Still, it has to be seen how exhibitors extend their support towards it. We’ll all see soon enough!”
— With inputs from Subhash K Jha and Sanskriti Media