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Latha Venkatraman

Mumbai , Aug. 15

THE Aamir Khan starrer Mangal Pandey - The Rising opened strongly in the metros and major cities, but not too well elsewhere.

"The film has reported very good response in A grade cities with all shows running full, but not too well in smaller cities,'' said Vinod Mirani, film trade analyst.

According to industry representatives, films with historical themes have generally not done well at the box office. Films based on historical leaders such as Subhash Chandra Bose, Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel did not fare well during its theatrical releases. "If films based on prominent leaders of the nationalist movement did not do well it is difficult for a film based on Mangal Pandey to do well. Even Gandhi just about recovered its costs," Mirani said. Mangal Pandey is a big budget film, estimated to have been made at a cost of Rs 40 crore.

However, Mangal Pandey gets the advantage of a longer weekend especially in metros on account of the Independence Day holiday on Monday. Though ticket sale figures are expected to be known later this week, the indication is that multiplexes are likely to garner good business during the first week. But the film could see a drop in theatre occupancy by next week.

Opening weekends are increasingly becoming the barometer of the film's potential at the box office, though there have been occasional cases when a few films have gone on to survive longer in the theatrical circuit than the initial expectation. Balaji Telefilm's Kyaa Kool Hai Hum had a moderate opening in comparison to many other films but survived at the box office for much longer than those, which had grossed higher revenues in the first week. The film, produced at a cost of Rs 8 crore, was quite popular in big cities as well as smaller cities and towns.

Hindi films that had strong opening weeks during 2005 include Bunty Aur Babli, Sarkar, Dus, Kaal, Waqt, Maine Pyar Kyun Kiya, Lucky, Paheli and Black.

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