It was a foregone conclusion. In the clash of the biggies, Vivek Lalwani’s Karthik Calling Karthik won hands-down, leaving Leena Yadav’s Teen Patti trailing in second place. It was a unanimous outcome across territories for Karthik Calling Karthik featuring Deepika Padukone and Farhan Akhtar versus Teen Patti starring Amitabh Bachchan, Sir Ben Kingsley and R Madhavan. For the latter, it was in fact one of the worst openings at the box office in recent times.
Hemant Shah of Tilak Enterprises says, “Karthik Calling Karthik had a good opening in multiplex whereas Teen Patti drew a lukewarm response. Karthik Calling Karthik opened with 50 to 60 per cent occupancy while Teen Patti scored just 30 to 35 per cent. KCK has a chance to pick up this weekend but Teen Patti has none at all. Also, Shah Rukh Khan’s My Name Is Khan, which has done very well, is slowing down.”
Ramesh Sippy of BRA Enterprises says, “The opening of Karthik Calling Karthik was average and Teen Patti was very bad. KCK will show some growth at the weekend but there is no hope for Teen Patti. My Name Is Khan did remarkable business for two weeks but now the film has taken a back seat.”
Sanjay Ghai of Mukta Arts adds, “In Delhi, we had a lot of hope from Karthik Calling Karthik but the opening of both films (including Teen Patti) is only 25 to 30 per cent and the reports are also bad. We have no hope from either film. My Name Is Khan has done its best business over here and recovered its money in the first week itself.”
According to Sunil Bansal of Yas Raj Jai Pictures, “Karthik Calling Karthik did better than Teen Patti. It opened with 40 to 45 per cent occupancy while Teen Patti opened with a pathetic 10 to 15 per cent. Teen Patti’s reports are not good while KCK has got mixed reactions. KCK should do decent business at the weekend but Teen Patti will be removed in a week or two.”
Surendra Saluja of Lakshya Movies says, “In Punjab, Farhan Akhtar’s Karthik Calling Karthik has opened with around 70 to 80 per cent occupancy while Teen Patti has opened with 40 per cent. Reports of KCK are quite encouraging but those of Teen Patti are pitiable. My Name Is Khan is still doing strong business here.”
Jeetu Khandelwal of Movie Pioneers accepts, “In Orissa, Karthik Calling Karthik has opened to around 50 to 55 per cent while the opening of Teen Patti is bad. Reports of KCK are better and audiences like the chemistry between Farhan Akhtar and Deepika Padukone. My Name Is Khan is still running successfully.”
