It was predicted in this column last week that Phantom would take an opening in the same range as Badlapur (Rs. 7 crore – Rs. 70 million) and Drishyam (Rs. 8 crore – Rs 80 million). As it turned out though, the Kabir Khan directed film had a slightly better Friday, as it went on to bring in Rs. 8.5 crore (Rs. 85 million) at the box office. This was indeed a positive outcome for Saif Ali Khan since his last couple of solo starrers, Happy Ending (Rs. 4 crore – Rs 40 million) and Bullett Raja (Rs. 7.5 crore – Rs 75 million) had met with a poor fate. In comparison, the word of mouth as well as critical appreciation was better as well, which helped the Sajid Nadiadwala production grow further over the weekend.
This was evidenced in collections that jumped further on Saturday (Rs. 12.78 crore – Rs. 127. 8 miilion), which was also a holiday due to Raksha Bandhan, and then Sunday (Rs. 11.94 crore – Rs. 119.4 million), as a result of which ‘Phantom’ managed to bring in around Rs. 33.18 crore (Rs. 331.8 million). Now this is a heartening sign for the film as the opening weekend for ‘Badlapur’ and ‘Drishyam’ was Rs. 23.5 crore (Rs. 235 million) and Rs. 30 crore (Rs. 300 million) (including paid previews) respectively. Also, in the process, the Saif Ali Khan starrer has managed to surpass ‘Agent Vinod’ which had netted Rs. 30 crore (Rs. 300 million) over the weekend (after a better opening day of Rs. 9.5 crore – Rs. 95 million).
Since ‘Phantom’ is being appreciated, it is set to have a decent week with weekdays staying stable as well. Around Rs. 18-20 crore (Rs. 180-200 million) more are expected from the next four days and it is expected that the first week of ‘Phantom’ would close around the Rs. 55 crore (Rs. 550 million) mark. That would be a good result for the Saif Ali Khan and Katrina Kaif film which is based on the theme of terrorism and doesn’t boast of being a quintessential Bollywood entertainer.
Other two releases of the week, ‘Kaun Kitney Paani Mein’ and ‘Bankey Ki Crazy Baraat’, came announced and couldn’t even garner Rs. 1 crore (Rs. 10 million) between them. Disasters.
