Box office report: Not A Love Story fails to attract footfalls

Box office report: <i>Not A Love Story</i> fails to attract footfalls

After the marvellous month of July that had four superhit films, August is turning out to be somewhat disappointing. The three new releases of this Friday, Not A Love Story, Sahi Dhandhe Galat Bande and Chatur Singh Two Star, have opened to a dull response at box office.

The Ram Gopal Varma directed Not A Love Story which has been kicking up a lot of controversy lately because of its subject (inspired from the Neeraj Grover murder case involving the actress Maria Susairaj) and steamy scenes of Mahi Gill has failed to attract footfalls at theatres and fared below average. The occupancy at theatres ranged between 20 percent to 40 percent (at few centres). Since the film is made on a shoestring budget, the losses won’t hurt the makers much. Moreover, the film might even recover its cost, if it picks up in the coming days; and let’s not forget the satellite rights as well.

Sahi Dhandhe Galat Bande, marking the directorial debut of actor Pravin Dabbas, too failed to draw the crowds. The movie has got a mixed response from the critics, but the absence of any saleable star is an obvious drawback to its prospects at ticket windows.

Chatur Singh Two Star fared no better. Starring Sanjay Dutt as a bumbling cop, the film has been unanimously panned by the critics. Yet it saw a favourable response at single theatres. At multiplexes, it is almost a washout.

The coming week would see the release of small-budget films like Chitkabrey: Shades of Grey, Rivaaz, Mr. Bhatti on Chutti and Shabri.

But all eyes are fixed on August 31, when Salman Khan’s Bodyguard hits the theatres. The obvious question everyone’s asking is: will it be another blockbuster? Looks like it will be.