While Boss will be showcased on 35 screens across Pakistan, Waar gets an edge with 45 screens. PHOTOS: FILE
KARACHI: After Ishq Khuda’s battle against Chennai Express on Eidul Fitr, which was eventually (and predictable) won by the undefeated king of Bollywoood SRK, this Eid will also see another cinematic war between India and Pakistan. Bilal Lashari’s much-awaited Waar that stars Lollywood’s only reining actor Shaan will be facing Khiladi Akhsay Kumar’s Boss. Although, Kumar hasn’t faced much success on the box-office in recent times, he has a huge pool of fans in the country. Nonetheless, Waar has been in the news since its inception and is clearly one of the most significant movies to come out of Pakistan on the theme of terrorism. The film promises to show some technology-driven, thrilling action sequences and is made in English, a feature that has created quite a buzz among local audiences.
While Boss will be showcased on 35 screens across the country, Waar will lead with 45 screens. Waar was earlier slated for a 53 screens release all across Pakistan but has now been allotted 45 screens whereas the exhibitor interest towards Boss has increased the number drastically, giving it a great exhibition overall. Surely, their on screen battle will be something to look forward to.
Both films will benefit from each other’s footfall. But given that some of the most highly-grossing screens are also owned by the distributors of Waar, the film has a definite box office advantage over Boss. One can also not undermine Kumar’s star power and the crazy gimmicks that seem to be creating an interest in the film. The box office’s love for the Akshay-Sonakshi duo will play a pivotal role in attracting audiences to cinemas — something that Waar might fail at doing. While the use of English language is intriguing for Waar, it also acts as a drawback as not everybody in Pakistan will opt for a feature film that is not in Urdu or Punjabi.
Though the returns are not expected to be as great as they were with Chennai Express on Eidul Fitr, it will definitely be interesting to see the total box office collection that the two films will earn together.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 16th, 2013.
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COMMENTS (14)
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Was there any comparison? Comon. Waar has no comparison with Boss
The movie is not good and not up to the mark.May be the 2.5 million dollar it spend will not get return, even though first day of good collection.Our film industry still have fate of gujjar type movies ! Various shots made on this movie not related to one another, i mean some thing is missing as lack of professionalism !
Sonkashi is not in Boss. At least get your facts right. The leading lady is Aditi Rao.
I really doubt the author; he has beautifully described Bollywood hero but have not highlighted any good thing about Waar.. So biased!!!!
Called all cinemas in Lahore to get tickets. WAAR is housefull till Monday. Asked Cinestar & Super Cinema about Boss's bookings, at Cinestar 1 show in a day that too only 18% booked, at Super Cinema 2 shows one booked at 5% other at 2%. So much for the Pakistanis luuurrrvvv bollywood cliche.
Waar was disappointing.. It was a mesh of disconnected scenes being shot separately with just cinematic beauty in mind...
There were few good scenes wasted due to lack of a thick plot..
The only grace was Shaan all the way..
Simple rule of thumb. People are more insane, less sane. We also this rule during elections.
:3 Housefull for Waar In Cine Star Lahore Booked TIckets but have to wait for Monday >_< Waar Rox Boss Shocks :p
@Faisal: I agree to what you say Brother. I have seen that many Indians - pretending as Pakistanis are more making comments on this movie and its related posts on social media. Whereas you know that mostly at Eid Uz Zuha. A real Muslim would be busy in slaughtering the Animals and paying the prayers and TIKKA PARTY. Why would they specially navigate and anti-comment about this movie!
It's disconcerting to see what qualifies as journalism in Pakistan. While making much hoopla abt more screenings for Waar, the article fails to mention that Chennai Express only beat out the nearest Pakistani flick because it had 10 times more screen space. Not a massive fan of Waar, but this one-sided campaign against a movie produced by a rival media outlet is quite disgusting and takes away any credibility the paper or journalist may have.
Duh!!
Waar is a Pakistani film and probably the biggest in recent times, still it has just 45 screens opening in comparison to Boss' 35 screen opening. i.e. just 10 more.
It speaks volumes about the popularity of Indian cinema in Pakistan. Despite the release of "biggest Lollywood film" ever, an Indian film manages to get 44% screens in Pakistan.
@Bilal: aam aadmi is not listening to u... he knows WAAR would be useless and is fascinated by bollywood :)
WAAR! All the way.