The unthinkable has happened. In spite of biggies like DRONA and KIDNAP hitting the screens over an extended last weekend, A WEDNESDAY has quietly emerged as the preferred choice of cine-goers as the week progressed.
As per the reports that have just come on, at leading multiplexes, average occupancy of screens featuring A WEDNESDAY is currently ahead of DRONA and KIDNAP. While A WEDNESDAY was at #2 on Wednesday (just after KIDNAP), the Dussehra holiday saw A WEDNESDAY leading the charge and ruling from the top with KIDNAP at #2, WELCOME TO SAJJANPUR at #3 and DRONA at #4.
Confirms Sheetal Bhatia, co-producer of A WEDNESDAY, "Yes, it's true. A WEDNESDAY has indeed scored better than all the new and existing releases. I have confirmed reports from distributors who have been ecstatic with the kind of response A WEDNESDAY is fetching week after week. This week too, after the weekend saw DRONA and KIDNAP leading the charge, A WEDNESDAY has turned out to be a fore runner when it comes to the audience choice. Now it's average screen occupancy is the best amongst all and the trend is not just restricted to Mumbai but all over the country."
The film saw some decrease in show count in the week gone by due to massive release of DRONA and KIDNAP. Does he anticipate an increase in the week to come?
"Since HELLO is the sole release of the week, exhibitors may choose to increase the count. However, it all boils down to number of people who see the film. As long as there is good average w.r.t screen occupancy, it should not matter", says Sheetal.
Neeraj Pandey, director of A WEDNESDAY is not surprised though that the film has been continuing to do so well week after week.
"The film is of the people and for the people; I knew that it would strike a chord with them in a big way and the results are there for everyone to see. The film has stayed quite consistent over last 5 weeks and I sincerely believe that the trend would continue for many more weeks", comments Neeraj.
Jimmy Sheirgill is ecstatic too that his film has crossed the 10 crore mark at the box office and is still continuing.
"All because of the excellent word of mouth that the film is carrying. It has been one of the most successful films of my career and easily the most appreciated critically. TAHAAN comes close but A WEDNESDAY does take the lead. I was super confident about the film and though we all had to wait for a while (the film was completed for almost 8 months before UTV released it this September), it was all worth it after all", concludes Jimmy in a relaxed tone.
