Awaz Apni Mumbai: The keenly-anticipated ‘Ghajini’ fetched the biggest start ever, shattering the record held by ‘Singh Is Kinng’ and ‘Golmaal Returns’, the two big openers of 2008. The paid previews were packed to capacity on Wednesday night and the film ran to almost 100% response screens throughout the country on Thursday. Studio 18, the distributors of the film, were in for a pleasant surprise. Having released two of the biggest openers this year – ‘Singh Is Kinng’ and ‘Golmaal Returns’ -- and also one of the biggest openers of 2007 [‘Welcome’], the couldn't believe their eyes when they saw the figures pouring in from all over. Exhibitors across the country were going into raptures, stressing on the cent per cent occupancy on Wednesday night [paid previews] and also Thursday [Christmas].
This writer was in constant touch with several exhibitors, who couldn't hide their excitement. The common feedback is, the crowd was uncontrollable, that the crowd inside and outside their theatres was the same, that the film was packed in advance for the entire weekend.
Talking of numbers, the film collected approx. Rs. 2 cr. + in paid previews [a record], while the Thursday numbers were approx. Rs. 9 cr. According to early indications, the film collected between Rs. 10 cr. to Rs. 12 cr. nett, as per Studio 18. It's a new record, it's creating history!
