Kismat chamki

How do you know if a film is faring well at the box-office? Generally, one gets the feedback from trustworthy sources, also from the correspondents and exhibitors screening the film. But I've realized that the tone in which the distributors speak gives away the verdict of the film.

The distributors, who've invested their hard-earned money on a film, never mince words when a film bombs. And the tone only gets better [excited/happy/thrilled] when the film hits the bulls eye. I've realized this over the years. In fact, the excitement shows in their body language!

This week, as I spoke to the various distributors of KISMAT KONNECTION, I realized that the film had passed the weekend test with distinction marks. The weekdays did witness the normal drop, but it wasn't alarming, as a section of the trade was hoping it would be.

UTV has placed a lot of trust in Shahid Kapur. Besides distributing KISMAT KONNECTION globally, the corporate house has two more films lined up with Shahid - Vishal Bhardwaj's KAMINEY and Ken Ghosh's STAR [will it be a new title, Ken?].

Releasing the film at 720 screens in India and 200 abroad was a carefully thought of strategy. It also takes Shahid into a different league. He's above the Abhisheks and Johns, in the sense that a solo Shahid starrer has fetched a flying start at the box-office, for the second time in a row. Generally, solo Abhishek and solo John starrers don't.

As things stand today, KISMAT KONNECTION is a plus film for sure. The first week theatrical business should be in the range of Rs. 20 - Rs. 23 cr. nett, which is commendable for a film that had Shahid Kapur as the sole driving force. This, despite a leading multiplex chain not screening the film.

I genuinely feel sad for RGV. He's a true genius, in my opinion. But what is he churning out intermittently? CONTRACT is such a letdown from a maker who has delivered such fine films in the past. And the audience apathy showed in its business.

The collections are so poor, I'm sure RGV must've got a fright when he must've checked the day-wise business reports. This one's a debacle!