After a pretty happening few weeks involving the releases of ‘Chhalawa’, ‘Wrong No. 2′ and ‘Baaji’, the box office took some rest. However, that wasn’t the case for long as two local releases, ‘Tum Hi Ho’ and ‘Ready Steady No’, were set to release the past weekend.

Along with the two local movies, the much anticipated release of the live-action remake of Disney classic ‘The Lion King’ was expected to bring great numbers solely because it was a film for all ages and had also been dubbed in Hindi/Urdu making itself open for wider audiences. Previously the live-action remake of of ‘Aladdin’, ‘Godzilla: King of the Monsters’, and also ‘Spider-man: Far From Home’ fared well at the box office, so good numbers were expected.

So how have the films done at the box office over their first weekend? Let’s see.

Ready Steady No

Rom-com ‘Ready Steady No’ starring Amna Ilyas, who gained much admiration for her performance in ‘Baaji’, opened to good reviews from the industry. Being a small budget film, it wasn’t heavy with marketing, but it did do a decent job with the promotions, resulting in an 80 lacs figure on its first weekend, contending against ‘The Lion King’. The film, if it manages to hold well during the weekdays, can longer run but we have to wait and see for that.

Weekend 1: Rs. 80 lacs

Tum Hi Ho

Director Sangeeta’s ‘Tum Hi’ Ho had been a long time coming with the film’s first trailer coming out in 2017, but somehow the film never saw the light of day. It was announced even further back in 2015. However, it was finally revealed to the audiences the past weekend and as expected, with the zero hype around it and also the trailer being poorly-made, the film was a disaster. Collections were not even half of ‘Ready Steady No’. The poor quality of this should be a lesson for filmmakers that audiences have certainly matured and expect good production.

Weekend 1: Below 40 lacs

The Lion King

‘The Lion King’ live-action remake also released over the weekend and like predicted, it was massive. The film registered a 5 crore weekend, the second biggest for Hollywood in Pakistan this year. The film did really well in Karachi, followed by other major cities. The film seems to have defied all criticism and has families flocking to theatres. This one seems like a horse with strong legs. ‘The Lion King’ seems to be ruling the box office until ‘Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs and Shaw’ comes.

Weekend 1: Rs. 5 crores

While ‘Tum Hi Ho’ has tanked, ‘Ready Steady No’ may stand a chance. Let’s hope the film is able to invite more watchers even though it does not seem likely. ‘Baaji’ in its fourth weekend at the box office is setting new benchmarks by making Rs. 50 million, and coming to a combined Rs. 102.5 million.