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Jasmine Singh
Surprise…first, it surprised us by successful rising from the ashes, and then we were surprised with its ability to make us laugh. Sometime later, it again surprised us for becoming cliché and repetitive, and one more time, we were taken aback by how it again sprang back with new look, new content, surprising us all way to do a near 50 crore business. Punjabi films are definitely on a ‘surprised’ spree as yet another film Angrej, after Sardaarji, goes on to follow its footsteps. With all the shows going houseful in the first and second day of its release, PVR cinemas have decided to increase the number of shows of Angrej in Chandigarh and Punjab.
Now, this is of course a good news for becoming – better cinema. In fact, getting more shows in theatres after the first day performance is a good indicator of its reach. So much so, Angrej that is released along with Hindi film Drishyam starring Ajay Devgn and Tabu has relatively far more shows than the latter.
It’s show time
Multiplexes are never too certain about a Punjabi release, whether a film would get any opening or none absolutely, with the chances of second option being more true! Chandra Mohan Sharma, area manager PVR, Chandigarh and Punjab nods in approval. Chandra Mohan Sharma, a movie buff, can describe the graph of each film like the back of his hand. “As compared to Hindi films, we are not sure about a Punjabi release.” This time, however, a film like Angrej starring Amrinder Gill, Sargun Mehta and Aditi Sharan gets more shows immediately after its release. “The content of Angrej is pretty nice and all the shows are going houseful. We had to increase the number of shows in Chandigarh and Punjab looking at the demand,” adds Chander Mohan who recalls how PVR had to increase the number of shows for Punjabi films Chaar Sahibzaade and Jatt & Juliet after their release.
As we talk about Angrej rising the popularity chart, getting more shows, it becomes slightly important to bring to the notice that it is released along with a Hindi film Drishyam.
Star wars
Punjabi filmmakers have now become confident about their work, and don’t mind releasing their film along with a Hindi release. Atharv Baluja, director, is of the opinion that the canvas and reach of Punjabi cinema has increased, which has made producers and distributors confident about releasing their film with a Hindi or an English release. Atharv is planning to release his film Judge Singh LLB on October 9, which is also the date for the release of Aishwarya Rai Bachchan starrer Jazba. “If as a filmmaker, I am confident about the content of my film, why would think twice about sharing the release date with a film.”
Bring it on
Gone are the days when a Punjabi film would be released after safely exploring all the threats coming from a Hindi release. The fact that multiplexes are increasing shows for Punjabi films talks about their popularity at large. Actor Amrinder Gill is visibly happy as he is excitedly and quickly reads out the news of increase the number of shows of Angrej across Canada as well. “In Brampton, Angrej shows 879 admits (admits is the number of people that watched the show) as compared to other films like Southpaw that had 119 admits, Paper Towns 106 and Drishyam had 117 admits. So, the number of shows had to be increased,” he adds.
This can be, for once, seen as a good news for Punjabi film fans and makers, if only they don’t surprise us yet again by doing something clichéd or new!
Date sheet
Some of the popular Punjabi films were released alongside the Hindi ones. It is interesting to note that Punjabi films did far better business (Chandigarh and North India) than the rival Hindi release.
jasmine@tribunemail.com
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