But sadly that was not the case as for all the hype and expectation surrounding the release of the Shaan-starrer Operation 021, the film has not received the opening that it was expected to.
The Bollywood release Bang Bang, starring Hrithik Roshan and Katrina Kaif, seems to be ruling the roost after raking in Rs 7,553,196 (Approximately Rs7.6 million) on day one of Eidul Azha. These figures take the total collections of Hrithik starrer to Rs35 million in Pakistan as it has been screening in cinemas since last Thursday.
Not far behind are Nabeel Qureshi's Na Maloom Afraad and Jami's spy thriller Operation 021, which grossed Rs 5,598,125 (Approximately Rs5.5 million) each on their opening day. Though these figures can be considered respectable, they come as a major surprise considering that Waar, another Shaan-starrer, had earned an estimated Rs11 million on it's opening day on Eidul Azha last year despite facing stiff competition from a major Bollywood release in the form of the Akshay Kumar's Boss.
However, Na Maloom Afraad is the real game-changer here as the film has literally shaken up the box office by coming neck-to-neck with Operation 021. It started off as being a film heavily dependent upon the footfall in multiplexes but the housefulls at multiplexes suggest that it is slowly starting to get its specific audience.
The comedy film released under the banner of Filmwala Pictures has exceeded expectations and collected Rs4.5 million; thus, making this triple threat at the Pakistani box office more interesting.
Though what the producers of Na Maloom Afraad should be really excited about is the fact that single-screen cinema owners are opting to screen the comedy in place of Operation 021. A major reason for this change can be attributed to the comic content of the film compared to the action-thriller which is predominantly in English, causing a language barrier for the average cinema going audience.
According to sources, multiplex owners are also showing more interest in giving preference to the comedy film but are unable to do so due to advance bookings for Operation 021.
Last but not the least is Fawad Khan's Khoobsurat that was released on a very limited number of screens and yet managed to generate Rs1.2 million on the first day of Eid.
Having said that, the second day of Eid is expected to be stronger in numbers as most of the people were busy sacrificing animals on the first day.
COMMENTS (14)
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Absolutely rubbish news with NO relationship to reality. Express Tribune continues to belittle their credibility.
I guess u need to recheck this story, all other sources are putting o21 in the 1st position followed by NMA. Bang Bang has been left far behind on all eid days
021 is technically very good but Waar had a superior story line and more relavent to the situation in Pakistan therefore it was appreciated more.I think the movies produced locally deserve more screens and should be given a headstart specially on festive occasions.
This doesn't make sense. Waar was completely in English - almost all spoken dialogue was in English. Unlike 021 where a significant chunk of the movie is NOT in English. Yet Waar was a superhit in Pakistan.
So was Waar that good that people were mesmerized enough to not notice that the dialogues were in English?
Movies are for entertainment. If I need to check my IQ, I'll take a free online test. Why waste money on a movie?
Nice to hear U like OUR movies.
No difference between indian and Pakistani audience they reject good movies like Haider, indian movie ship of Theseus,dedh Ishqiyaa, naa Mallom afraad but watch bang bang and all Salman movies. Money/star power over content. This discourages people from making soulful movies in india as they are made fun off and called flops while once that make 200crore are stars. Guess the trend is not limited to india Alone.
hahaha when some cinema owners give more shows to bang bang then this must be happened sozoworld cinema not given one show to Nma and 021 in their main cinema they give only 2 shows to these movies in sozogold cinema and give all major shows to bang bang.
It aches my heart to see their movies doing better on our soil why because people for their mere entertainment would opt for an average indian movie over a good Pakistani movie.I request all of you to go and see operation 021.If we are not willing to back up the revival of our own movies then who will?
"Fawad Khan’s Khoobsurat"
Move over Anil Kapoor and Disney, your hired hand has proclaimed himself the malik.
It's not fair comparing hrithik with shaan. The former is a big budget movie with internationally acclaimed stars whereas the latter is a low budget movie with an ageless (576 movies) talented actor.
Not sure about Operation 021,but Bang Bang is a huge waste of time,money and intellect...I wish Indian audiences start rejecting such movies and we produce better movies
Bang Bang has outdone Haider in India, which is definitely a better movie. That says something for our tastes in cinema which are become mass-oriented rather than content-oriented.
It seems to be ticking all the right points for a subcontinental audience.
Or maybe, Pakistanis want respite from everyday strife rather than watching a simulated version of what's happening on the streets.