After enjoying a solo release during the festive period, Sidharth Malhotra and Janhvi Kapoor’s Param Sundari will be entering its second weekend with three major releases to share screens with.
Tiger Shroff’s Baaghi 4 comes along with Vivek Agnihotri-directed The Bengal Files and Hollywood’s famous horror franchise, The Conjuring: Last Rites, in theatres on September 5.
Param Sundari, despite getting mixed reviews, held its ground and capitalised on the solo release weekend. At the end of the first week, its box office total is Rs 38.98 crore. While the rom-com still runs successfully, multiplexes are expected to lower the allotted shows to accommodate more screens for Baaghi 4, The Bengal Files and The Conjuring: Last Rites.
As the audience will be spoiled for choice, trade experts believe the release of The Conjuring: Last Rites will affect Param Sundari, regardless of the reviews and critical acclaim they receive. When Zoom reached out to Girish Johar, producer and film business expert, he said, “It is definitely going to hamper Param Sundari’s growth. When you have a predecessor film, it does get affected. This week we have three big films. The audience will prefer new films first. If the content is not to their liking, Param Sundari will be affected.”
Johar further reviewed the multi-film release at the Indian box office and noted the challenges that Param Sundari could face. He suggested, “The challenge they are going to face is to entice the audience to watch their film because it will be entering week two. The reviews and feedback that came for Param Sundari were mixed. To stay relevant in week two, despite competition, is what they need to ensure.”
Film exhibitor Akshaye Rathi nullifies the possibility of Param Sundari facing a challenge due to new releases. He told us, “The programming of films is done based on demand and supply. When theatres have demand for a particular film, they will find ways to showcase it with some shows to satiate the demand for the film. The Conjuring: Last Rites is poised to take a solid opening, whereas Baaghi 4 is for the mass pockets. The Bengal Files is a sensitive topic which will make heads turn and jaws drop. Without an iota of doubt, Param Sundari will perform in pockets and centres where there is demand for it.”
He further said, “Though shows will be reduced, the remaining ones would be enough for those who find their way to theatres to watch it in the second week.”
Film trade analyst Sumit Kadel noted that Param Sundari “will wrap up its first week at around Rs 40 crore net.” He shared, “From tomorrow, it is going to face tough competition with The Conjuring: Last Rites, Baaghi 4, and The Bengal Files hitting cinemas because shows and screens will drop substantially. The film is expected to earn around Rs 8-10 crore nett in weekend 2, and it could’ve done better if not for the numerous new releases lined up.”
Rathi opined, “Param Sundari should end its run with around Rs 50 to Rs 55 crore. The film’s merit is its music. Despite new releases, it will co-exist in theatres. All these upcoming films cater to different groups; there is no clash even between the categorisation of audience.”
Baaghi 4 has been making noise for its violence and slasher content. On the other hand, The Bengal Files is in the headlines for its political controversies and bold subject. While the former has established its loyal audience through the franchise, the latter is experimental. Catering to different groups of audience, Param Sundari might face a minor roadblock in terms of screen count. Content is king and if Baaghi 4, The Bengal Files and The Conjuring: Last Rites make it to critical acclaim, they could emerge as massive money-spinners. All eyes are now on the box office.