Ajay Rai(producer): “The first thing that we need to be most grateful about is that audiences are back into the movie theatres. The long queues for Spiderman and Pushpa are very gratifying. Most of the boxoffice collections these days are reliant on the first weekend, so I am sure ’83 won’t have a problem getting screens . After such a prolonged period of crippling losses the year is drawing to a close so well for cinemas. God is great. Watching films in theatres can never grow redundant.”
Akshay Rathi(Maharashtra, exhibitor): “Should ’83 be worried? I don’t think so. Irrespective of what’s come before or after, people will watch what they want to watch, whether it is Spiderman, Pushpa, Matrix, ‘83 or Jersey. I think at a time when the movie business is on the revival trail it is important to provide a wide variety of content for all demographics to make sure that people across all age groups and social strata come to the theatres. Personally speaking if I want to watch a film , I will no matter what else is playing.”
Atul Mohan(trade analyst): “The situation can be worrisome for ‘83. The usual trend is that if any film does well then it gets good advantage in terms of shows and showcasing from exhibitors in its second week. You don’t dump anything that’s performing very well. Spiderman and Pushpa have dominated the boxoffice this weekend and have shattered all the opening records. The showcasing for 83 of course won’t be in the range of Sooryavanshi or Spiderman as the former was a solo release and now we have to accommodate 83 between 2 best performing films and a mid-week release Matrix. Also, Pushpa in Hindi has picked up tremendously at Single Screens of North India as Allu Arjun enjoys a tremendous fan-following there, the single screens may not wish to drop Pushpa to accommodate any other film. A big task for exhibitors in coming days but as per my calculations 83 should manage to get 50% of showcasing what Sooryvanshi got and it has to be seen how many single screens join the numbers.”
Girish Johar(producer, trade analyst): “Yes, distribution team of 83 will find it hard and they will have to find a solution. And trust me they will. 83 is not a small film and it has a HUMONGOUS potential at the BO. I feel since Pushpa is more a South-targeted film, its craze will wane in the 2nd weekend for the Hindi markets. Whereas MATRIX is a sleek upmarket urban action film, it will be a threat with limited effect in premium upmarket regions and cinemas. The major opposition is Spiderman, it’s a massy film running all across the country and loved by all. The numbers have proved it and reviews are awesome too. Still since Spiderman was a wide release, in its second week some slowdown will happen. 83 has all the chances and potential to stand tall and by the looks of it,it is seemingly a winner.”
