Box office: 'Heroine' disappoints, 'Barfi!' still sweet

Madhur Bhandarkar's much-anticipated Heroine released with mix response. Although it was expected to get a huge opening and the producers released 2000 plus prints, the film didn't live up to the expectations. The trade feels that though the opening was good for a woman-oriented film, the film failed short of expectations.Heroine has managed to earn Rs 22.49 crore in its first weekend (Friday Rs 7.35 cr, Saturday Rs 7.41cr and Sunday Rs 7.73 cr) On the other hand, Barfi! has collected around Rs 57.14 crore in its first week and Rs 15 crore in its second weekend making its total to Rs 62.14 crore in the first 10 days.

An interesting study of the moolah raked in by woman-oriented films in recent years in their first weekend indicates Rs 8.82 cr for 7 Khoon Maaf, Rs 10.85 cr for Tanu Weds Manu, Rs 12.02 cr for No One Killed Jessica, Rs 29.89 cr for
The Dirty Picture, Rs 13.25 cr for Kahaani, Rs 6.28 cr for Hate Story and Rs 17.38 cr for Jism 2.
Girish Wankhede, official spokesperson of a multiplex chain says, `The reviews and the audience reactions for Heroine are mixed. And for Barfi!, the timely Oscar entry announcement has boosted the collections and in fact we are thinking of increasing shows at our theatres.`

Trade analyst Atul Mohan says, `I think both Barfi! and Heroine should have been spaced out as both are from the same production house.` Trade expert Amod Mehra adds, `Heroine has nothing new to offer and the second half is dragging. It is a depressing film and will loose at least 20 to 30 per cent of its investment.`


Kareena recently celebrated her 32nd birthday in London with Saif Ali Khan. Now the actor will be accompanying his ladylove to a screening of Heroine in a London theatre to check out the reasponse the film has been getting from Bebo's UK fans

Our source says, `In India, the film has been getting a mixed response. But apparently in UK, it is doing well. The film was entirely shouldered on Kareena's performance and she is very happy with the way it has turned out.

So she will visit a London film theatre and get live feedback from her UK fans. She has invited Saif to join her during the screening.`