Sunny Leone-starrer Ragini MMS 2, promoted as a ‘horrex’ — a combination of horror and sex, had a good start at the Indian box office. Trade analysts are also recommending Lakshmi and Ankhon Dekhi as a must-see.
Critics and viewers have, however, given Gang Of Ghosts, which released in the UAE last weekend, a cold shoulder.
Directed by Bhushan Patel, Ragini MMS 2 has collected about Rs160 million (Dh9.7 million) in two days.
“Ragini MMS 2 had a solid start at the ticket window. Despite the India vs. Pakistan cricket match making a dent in business, its Friday total is impressive. Ragini MMS 2 [earned on Friday] Rs84.3 million, Saturday Rs75 million. India business only,” trade analyst Taran Adarsh tweeted.
The movie hit the Indian screens on Friday, a day when most viewers were glued to their television sets to watch the India-Pakistan match in Bangladesh as part of the ICC World Twenty20 tournament.
“Ragini MMS 2 has sex, horror, comedy and good music to ensure that it will be a hit at the box office,” trade analyst Komal Nahta tweeted.
Gang Of Ghosts, also a horror film with comic elements, neither made the audiences laugh nor spooked them.
“Gang Of Ghosts was meant to be a laugh riot. But it hardly makes you laugh. Poor show,” Nahta posted on Twitter.
The Satish Kaushik directorial, made on a budget of Rs150-Rs160 million, collected about Rs100 million in two days, said Rajesh Thadani of Multimedia Combines.
Quirky drama Aankhon Dekhi, directed by filmmaker-actor Rajat Kapoor, earned praise for its content, but its chances of box office success seem bleak.
“In two days, it must have collected less than Rs150,000,” Thadani said.
Nahta also does not expect the movie to do well commercially. He tweeted: “Aankhon Dekhi is not commercial but has superb acting, an ambience of a mid-class family and excellent dialogues.”
Actress Neha Dhupia is also batting for the movie. “Ok all the ones who love good cinema, do yourselves a favour... watch Ankhon Dekhi. Rajat Kapoor’s finest!” she posted on Twitter.
Nagesh Kukunoor’s Lakshmi opened to rave reviews, but its commercial prospects seem bleak. Celebrities are all praise for the movie on child prostitution, inspired by a real life story.
Filmmaker Shekhar Kapur says the Monali Thakur-starrer is a “must see”. “Yes. It goes over the top. It’s melodramatic. Yes, it will disgust you. But what else is child prostitution supposed to be? Go. Must see Lakshmi,” Kapur told his Twitter followers.
Adarsh praised the movie, saying it is “a heart-rending tale that ought to be told”. Actor Rannvijay Singha lauded the director and the cast for their efforts and tweeted: “Making Lakshmi wasn’t easy! You guys are brave and you deserve lots of success, take a bow.”
