Ranbir Kapoor's film is his biggest career disaster so far. “A colossal flop”, “a debacle”, “a disaster” are some of the verdicts by film trade analysts on Anurag Kashyap’s high-budget drama Bombay Velvet. Set in the Bombay of the 1960s, the film is about a man who wants to make it big in life at any cost.
PHOTO: FILE
The film has earned a little over Rs16 crore in its opening weekend.
Released on May 15, the film, which also stars Anushka Sharma and has marked the acting debut of Karan Johar, only managed to mint Rs5.20 crore on its opening day and Rs5.10 crore and Rs5.80 crore on Saturday and Sunday respectively.
Its weekend total amounts to Rs.1610 crore, according to trade expert Taran Adarsh, who called the film a “debacle”.
#BombayVelvet is a DEBACLE! Fri 5.20 cr, Sat 5.10 cr, Sun 5.80 cr. Total: ₹ 16.10 cr. India biz.
— taran adarsh (@taran_adarsh) May 18, 2015
"It's very bad. Bombay Velvet earned just Rs16.25 crore. That should have been the day one collection instead of the weekend collection," said trade analyst Komal Nahta.
"But you can't compare Bombay Velvet to other films because of its budget of Rs108 crore. With that amount, it should have collected Rs15 crore on day one. The film is a colossal flop," he added.
Another film expert, Vinod Mirani said "Bombay Velvet is a disaster".
The film received mixed reviews from fans and cinema-goers who took to Twitter to express their sentiments
Ranbir, Kashyap n Anushka have made a history of biggest ever flop film with #BombayVelvet n now Farah Khan Ji got a big challenge ahead.
— KRK (@kamaalrkhan) May 17, 2015
Opening of disastrous Roy was better than BombayVelvet initial in C.I. Sad day for film industry
— Komal Nahta (@KomalNahta) May 15, 2015
#BombayVelvet is beautifully shot with outstanding performances. Anurag makes us love KJO even as villain! @anuragkashyap72 @karanjohar
— Priya Gupta (@priyagupta999) May 14, 2015
My review of #BombayVelvet http://t.co/sBoqREk0tZ Bright lights, big pity!
— Rajeev Masand (@RajeevMasand) May 15, 2015
On the other hand, B-Town was full of praise for Anurag and his production:
Bombay Velvet is an example of how films should be made. Effort on detailing & back ground score is impeccable. Stylish & intense film.
— Arshad Warsi (@ArshadWarsi) May 14, 2015
Can't get over the world created by Anuragh Kashyap in #bombay velvet amazing detailing and not easy to forget
— VarunDhawan (@Varun_dvn) May 14, 2015
#BombayVelvet introduces the best villain in recent time @karanjohar with his intense suave performance,really excited about his debut Tom.
— Sidharth Malhotra (@SidMalhotra) May 14, 2015
One thing's for sure Bombay Velvet is meant to be seen on the big screen not on DVD. https://t.co/x2NvhMQszO
— Kalki केकला (@kalkikanmani) May 16, 2015
Ranbir Kapoor can literally do no wrong. Anushka Sharma was perfect and Oh my Karan Johar! #BombayVelvet
— Aditi Mittal (@awryaditi) May 12, 2015
Saw #BombayVelvet last night Excellent performances by Ranbhir Anushka and introducing @karanjohar SUPERB in the film 😊
— Manish Malhotra (@ManishMalhotra) May 12, 2015
Really enjoyed Bombay Velvet. Such a well made film. Well done Anurag, Ranbir, @AnushkaSharma, Kay Kay, Satyadeep and @TheVivaanShah
— Abhishek 𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧 (@juniorbachchan) May 12, 2015
Bombay Velvet has a world which is a film lovers wet dream & the performances a viewers delight @anuragkashyap72 @karanjohar @AnushkaSharma
— arjunk26 (@arjunk26) May 12, 2015
Just saw #BombayVelvet @karanjohar is BRILLIANT. Ranbir as always unmissable. Take a bow @anuragkashyap72. Labour of love & hard work.
— kunal kohli (@kunalkohli) May 11, 2015
https://twitter.com/sonakshisinha/status/597979947932614656
However, Anurag has no regrets that the audience is not finding a connect with his film, which has been his dream project since nine years.
"A lot of people do not connect with it and a small number of people did... Maybe our experimenting with the narrative didn't work for most but I firmly believe in the film,” he posted on his Facebook page.
On the other hand, the one film which has continued its success story is Shoojit Sircar's slice-of-life entertainer Piku, which has Amitabh Bachchan, Irrfan Khan and Deepika telling an endearing family tale through their lovable characters.
PHOTO: NDTV
Piku is running successfully at the cinemas and has minted Rs14.60 crore in its second weekend, which takes its total collection to Rs56.02 crore. In its opening weekend, it minted over Rs25 crore.
Also, the film is being tagged as a hit overseas as it has earned Rs27.34 crore.
In fact, Adarsh has called Piku the “BIGGEST HIT of 2015 in Overseas”.
According to India Today, Akshay Kumar's Gabbar is Back was the highest-grossing film this weekend this year thus far, raking in Rs40 crore in three days. His other film released earlier this year Baby is at number two, collecting Rs35.9 crore on the weekend. Ranbir's Roy, bags the third spot with Rs28 crore. Piku (Rs25.22 crore), Badlapur (Rs24 crore) and Tevar (Rs22.05) are films released this year so far that have had a better first-weekend collection than Bombay Velvet.
PHOTO: HOLLYWOOD3
As far as the future of Bombay Velvet and Piku on the box office is concerned, it will be decided by Kangana Ranaut and R. Madhavan-starrer Tanu Weds Manu Returns, which has quite a positive buzz about it. Directed by Anand L Rai, the film, which stars the same cast from 2011 film Tanu Weds Manu, will release on Friday.
Till the release of Zoya Akhtar's Dil Dhakadne Do in June, Anurag's Bombay Velvet still has a chance to recover at the box office since there are no major films lined up over the next three weeks.
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