Post-pandemic Eid films have hit the cinemas and Pakistan had a line-up of a whopping five films.
Before the pandemic, the business with Bollywood, Lollywood, and Hollywood films was on a big high. Numbers were going as high as approximately 21 crores for Wrong No 2 and around 18 crores approximately for Chalawa. These figures are for Eid-ul-Fitr 2019 and the same directors (Yasir Nawaz and Wajahat Rauf) have releases this Eid as well.
Business definitely has been impacted after Covid-19, and apart from a few big films (Spiderman: No Way Home, Batman) most have failed at the box office. However, this Eid the audiences have come out to see local films and the numbers are promising.
Ghabrana Nahi Hai
Leading at the number one spot is the Saba Qamar, Zahid Ahmed, and Syed Jibran starrer. Here’s a day-wise breakdown:
Tuesday ( Eid Day 1): 68 lacs
Wednesday ( Eid Day 2): 1.15 crore
Thursday ( Eid Day 3): 1.17 crore
Total: 3 crore
Dum Mastam
Second in line is the Imran Ashraf and Amar Khan starrer Dum Mastam. Here’s a day-wise breakdown:
Tuesday ( Eid Day 1): 65 lacs
Wednesday ( Eid Day 2): 1.11 crore
Thursday ( Eid Day 3): 1.08 crore
Total: 2.84 crore
Parde Mein Rehne Do
The Ali Rehman and Hania Aaamir starrer is at the third spot. Here’s a day-wise breakdown:
Tuesday ( Eid Day 1): 44 lacs
Wednesday ( Eid Day 2): 76 lacs
Thursday ( Eid Day 3): 75 lacs
Total: 1.95 crore
Chakkar
The Ahsan Khan and Neelam Muneer starrer is at the last spot, but the film did get a lot less shows as compared to its competitors. Here’s a day-wise breakdown:
Tuesday ( Eid Day 1): 28 lacs
Wednesday ( Eid Day 2): 54 lacs
Thursday ( Eid Day 3): 50 lacs
Total: 1.32 crore
Analysis
This being the first Eid-ul-Fitr post-Covid, the numbers are encouraging to say the least. Right now we are not going into word of mouth or any verdict the audience has given for these films. People spending their money on local movies and giving them a chance is a heartening thing to see.
The films over the coming days need to sustain well in order to become a clean success at the box office. The first few days of Eid have, over the years, seen a good walk-in of customers, but good films sustain and make use of the summer holiday period.
Possible Competition
These films will face very stiff competition from the new Marvel release Dr. Strange in the Multiverse of Madness – when it eventually releases here. The aforementioned film has already sold tickets worth Rs. 1 crore. Poised to take a huge opening, it will be interesting to see the numbers it brings in and how these Eid films will sustain themselves in front of the mega phenomenon.
Interesting times ahead for the local industry, with faith being shown by the audience for local films is a good push start for the industry post pandemic.
