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The entire film industry is in a state of shock. Believe me, I was inundated with calls from reputed film-makers and distributors, all wanting to know one thing: Why didn't ‘Kurbaan’ fetch an initial?
‘Kurbaan’ had everything going in its favour...
Karan Johar has an impeccable track record as a film-maker. Every film produced by Karan has had a potent start at the ticket window.
Saif Ali Khan's status, after ‘Love Aaj Kal’, has been at an all-time high.
The Saif - Kareena combo had hit headlines since the time they made their relationship public. The combo looked great.
UTV, the global distributors of ‘Kurbaan’, had promoted the film extensively.
Solo release status. ‘Kurbaan’ had no major opposition to contend with. Naturally, everyone expected ‘Kurbaan’ to start with a bang for the above-mentioned five reasons.
But the opening weekend numbers were shockingly low. Despite glowing reviews from critics who matter, ‘Kurbaan’ showed no signs of pick up after a weak Friday. So what went wrong?
A section of the industry feels that moviegoers aren't interested in watching serious/intense stories. Another viewpoint is that a big chunk of movie-going audience stayed away from the film. Yet another opinion is that the common man had already exhausted his budget after watching ‘Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani’ and ‘2012’.
A section of the industry also feels that UTV shouldn't have released ‘Kurbaan’ extensively [approx. 1700 screens globally]. ‘Kurbaan’ is not a mass appealing film like ‘Ghajini’ or ‘Wanted’, so why such a wide release?
I disagree. UTV had paid a fabulous amount for its global rights and with ‘De Dana Dan’ slated for release next Friday, UTV knew ‘Kurbaan’ had just one week to score and the only way to do so was to have a wide release. Had ‘Kurbaan’ fetched a thunderous start, the same decision would've been hailed by the industryfolk.
As things stand today, UTV will lose a substantial chunk of their investment, for sure. Truly, box-office can be most unpredictable!
Overseas performance
Karan Johar's much-awaited 'Kurbaan' was expected to fetch a flying start in the international markets, but it didn't. The film has under-performed in the three key markets - U.K. [strictly average, due to the 15 certificate], U.S.A. [quite good] and Australia [ordinary]. The combined total from these three markets is approx. Rs. 3.50 crores. Disappointing!
Weekend: November 20 - 22, 2009.
U.K. BOX-OFFICE
'Kurbaan' has debuted at No. 11 position. In its opening weekend, the film has collected £ 1,64,468 [approx. Rs. 1.27 crores] on 44 screens, with the per screen average working out to £ 3,738. Incl. Thursday previews.
KARAN JOHAR MOVIES IN U.K.
'Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani' [last weekend: No. 13, this weekend: No. 17]: In its third weekend, the film has collected £ 26,408 on 16 screens, with the per screen average working out to £ 1,651. Total: £ 4,06,974 [approx. Rs. 3.14 crores].
'Heer Ranjha' [Punjabi film; last weekend: No. 19, this weekend: No. 22]: In its second weekend, the film has collected £ 11,968 on 10 screens, with the per screen average working out to £ 1,197. Total: £ 49,034 [approx. Rs. 37.86 lacs].
'Tum Mile' [last weekend: No. 21, this weekend: No. 35]: In its second weekend, the film has collected £ 2,656 on 6 screens, with the per screen average working out to £ 443. Total: £ 38,005 [approx. Rs. 29.35 lacs].
'Aladin' [last weekend: No. 60, this weekend: No. 48]: In its fourth weekend, the film has collected £ 1,527 on 13 screens, with the per screen average working out to £ 117. Total: £ 1,07,116 [approx. Rs. 82.74 lacs].
'London Dreams' [last weekend: No. 28, this weekend: No. 60]: In its fourth weekend, the film has collected £ 994 on 3 screens, with the per screen average working out to £ 331. Total: £ 2,56,375 [approx. Rs. 1.98 crores].
U.S.A. BOX-OFFICE
'Kurbaan' has debuted at No. 20 position. In its opening weekend, the film has collected $ 4,03,678 [approx. Rs. 1.88 crores] on 83 screens, with the per screen average working out to $ 4,864.
AUSTRALIA BOX-OFFICE
'Kurbaan' has debuted at No. 14 position. In its opening weekend, the film has collected Aus. $ 77,325 [approx. Rs. 33.17 lacs] on 12 screens, with the per screen average working out to Aus. $ 6,444.
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The movie was riveting, though slightly drawn out in the end. Everybody has acted well, it was directed well, scripted well... Though why the police couldn't locate the murderers from the car registration is beyond me. Other than such minor quibbles, it was on the whole very good. It was very intense without much scope for light moments - probably one of the reasons this move didn't succeed. I'm not knocking the Indian audience, just looks like one of the reasons.
Loved Vivek in this film!!! He's a class actor & deserves to get more appreciation from the film fraternity and they need to overlook his past behaviour! If they were less "Khans" orientated they would realise how brilliant Vivek is! And i thought it was an alright film but preferred New York personally!
I hated the movie. It left me feeling sick to my stomach. Why make movies on terrorism when we ourselves dont know the truth. The movie showed Muslims in such a bad light. Why was kareena not a Muslim in the movie? I just hated it...
Who told it fails to impress. Art is in the eye of the beholder and what we will do if the beholder is not smart?
The movie is pacy, well crafted and well scripted. The actors, without an exception, essayed the roles to the point. Much better than the meaningless masala fares churned out every week.
I dont know why u people are making so fuss abt it.. I liked the movie,it has a message,its wonderfully crafted.. better than any masala movies.
Its a good movie.. far better than many masala ones seen around.. however do not get too much is the message , I guess most ppl now know how one becomes terrorist.. just have a look at kasab ... what ideology you think led him to become the most dreaded terrorist ???.. pls do not look for correctness of bollywood movies...just enjoy..
The is not entertaining. KURBAAN IS NOT ENTERTAINING! Who cares if its well made. Anyone like Karan Johar with big money could hire folks to make movies with good production. The story is not cinematic. Who cares about these characters. BORING BORING BORING
Why do people not understand a simple fact that a movie will do well in most cases if it is good. New York too was on same topic but did well. Kurbaan got a bad word of mouth and hence the audiences who missed it on day one didn't turn up. Hype lasts till 1st day only or atmax first weekend, after that content speaks.
"ppl are not interested in serious cinema"...is the lame argument these bollywood fools make after any pretentious film flops...to begin with...it is not serious inema, if they think it is then they have not seen anything outside bollywood...it is a poor film & moreover the issue is now done to death...another crappy film New York had the novelty value and hence worked...
The motely crowd that made this film didn't know that the CORRECT name of the film should have been Qurban and not Kurban. How could a film succeed if the producer-director and actors are unaware of what they were making. I would go see the film which has a name I can understand.
Karan Johar has already presented a good film in the name of "Wake up Sid" hence we cannot expect one more creative effort from him within such a short period. secondly, the film "Kurbaan' has been granted an A certificate by the Censor Board.
The problem is they promoted the film with Saif-kareena shenanigans,backless scenes resembling another sleezy movie, instead of promoting the actual content.
It is an extremely well made movie. The music is great. Its so unfortunate that we have limited our choices to cheap thrillers & silly comedies. So when anyting good or different comes up we fail to understand or relate to it. There is a message... which has gone unnoticed. Guys & Gals of modern India, please grow up & learn to appreciate good movies. I appreciate the efforts that have gone in making this movie. Karan Johar all ur movies are fantabulous...
the reason for its failure is its sheer stupidity. the word of mouth would have made this movie hit had it being any good. I am in US for many years and the plot is based oon impossible premises. many many loopholes. Making it mindless.. Atleast when it comes to mindless comedies we know what to expect. Not from a movie like this.. in the end we all thought of Kurban as a mindless comedy.. all the folks in the hall that unfortunate day in chicago would agree...
Dear Sonia, u seem to be living in perfect world which do not exist. rather tan asking others to grow up why dont u grow up and first try to understand what is going around u....
It's a good lesson for Islamic apologists film makers who show all kinds of excuses for terrorism but never dare to show the real cause of terrorism which is Islam. People are tired of this hypocrisy and double standards of these film makers who don't have guts to show the real truth.
Ashish dear, I fully agree with you. Most of these movies are financed by Islamists and Dawood-Mafia gangs like Chori chori, acted upon by Muslims like Salman and Saif to show to Indian public that it is not Muslims but everybody else who is responsible for their acts of terrorism. Nobody gets fooled by their propoganda anymore, excpet vote-bank Congressis and secularists, who are not willing to read the writing on the wall about the reality of Jehad and Dar-ul-Islam.
Ashish, i disagree with your parochial view. There are two sides to every coin. We talk about terrorism, but never question why these folks become terrorists. No one's born a killer.
Rex, if you read the posts by Ashish and Ashok, you will see that the reason why these folks become terrorists is mentioned. The cause for them becoming terrorists is Islam.
If Islam is the reason for terror why didn't we see it in the last 1400 years of Islamic history. You need to learn more about what's happened in Palestine, Lebanon and Iran. To label Muslims as terrorists is no less fanatical than the terrorists themselves.
Read Indian Mughal history to know there barbaric acts.
No one's born a killer, but they sure are turned into one in the terror producing factories of Pakistan. Ask Lashkar-e-Toiba
well pathetic movie I ever watched,well was not even expecting something great out of it... but I thought it wuld atleast be a timepass... but not even touched that ..
Kurbaan was released after the sucess of new york having the same theme. The promos were enough indicator that the story was similar to new york. People are no fools to pay twice to watch the same story.
People don't like saif-kareena couple
Real life terrorism has become more interesting than reel-life terrorism.
Taran will give many reasons for Kurbaan's failure but never admit that it was the film that was stupid.
When Taran says 'critics who matter' he probably means those with only matter and no mind. To those who are even little aware of what's happening worldwide, Kurbaan is simply a dumb movie. Terrorist carrying bombs walk in stations without as much as a security check. Vivek who's a TV reporter penetrates a terror cell without realizing that someone might have seen him on TV. Loads of rubbish packed and served for foolish people in Kurbaan. No wonder Taran loved the film.
From the airtel ad to all the hoopla about their much confessed love from the roof top, their relationship was nothing but a marketing gimmick. People has given thumbs down for Saif and Kareena as a couple. Now they should stop torturing us day in and day out.
Kareena retains her title as Queen of Super Flops. This is her third consecutive dud in 2009. The massive-jawed actress will not tolerate any opposition to her title. Helped by over-friendly media and Punjabi filmmakers she maintains an aura invincibility. She had very few hits in her long and dreary ( for us) career. With her long sad face of a defeated clown, Kareena has still managed to put herself in the A-listers. And actresses like Bipasha who are much more beautiful and talented have to have a hit every quarter to be in A-list. A country that routinely tops Most Corrupted Nations list will have such abhorrence aplenty. Kareena, is a symbol of the rot eating the country. This big-faced, ugly as hell actress is celebrated for her broken %u2013down, cholera patient figure. Why oppose Rahul to be the next PM when we have already accepted a Z-grader like hopeless, big-jawed she-wolf like Kareena. The sad story of modern India.
You're absolutely right, Prabal! I've felt the same way about Kareena since Refugee. She has no good features and she can't act well. She can only dress in skimply clothes and flaunt her size-zero figure, but she also has a size 0 mind. She looks so cheap, she will look vulgar in a burkha also. Please lets start a PIL to ban Kapoor girls from acting.
Kareena is a true horse face. How can the Kapoor Clan use their clout with the media and keep her on top? She's all dumb style and no substance. And as for Saif, i get a feeling that he's now grown too big for his own boots. He's got to understand that he cannot carry a film on his own. All the buffonery that typified his early career coupled with his feminish looks will catch up with him, sooner or later.
Well said Prabal , Saif and Kareena trying their best to be branjilina , these guys cant even come up to the level of AISH AND ABHISHEK , enuff of kareena ,Saif you were lucky for love aaj kal , here after luck will no more favour u , your freindship wiht Karan , whom u all use will be off no use to you .