DUBAI Here’s proof that being sentenced to jail does nothing to harm one’s popularity – if that someone is a certain Salman Khan. Going by the buzz ahead of the Eid release of his latest film, Bajrangi Bhaijaan, the convicted criminal is on course to score another blockbuster performance at the box office.
All the cinemas in the UAE have told XPRESS that the film is set to open to packed theatres on July 16. Directed by Kabir Khan, the movie has seen an overwhelming response from fans here as cinemas began advance booking a week ago.
“The interest has been extremely positive. All shows over the Eid weekend are close to being sold out. We are releasing the film across all our 10 cinemas in standard, MAX, – our big screen concept, and VOX Gold – our luxury cinema concept,” a spokesperson said.
Ticket rush
A Reel cinemas spokesperson said: “We anticipate advance bookings to form up to 60 per cent of the total bookings. The movie will play in all our five theatres.”
Novo cinemas and Cinemacity also started advance booking for the film scheduled for a world-wide release on July 17. “The movie will run in all our 12 cinemas in the UAE,” a Novo spokesperson said.
A die-hard Sallu fan who is hitting the theatre on Friday said he wouldn’t miss the movie for anything. “We – my wife, kids and I – are all big fans of Salman Khan. I tried booking for first day first show, but tickets were not available as we are a group of 20,” said Sharjah resident Hassan Walid.
Another fan, Reema Nair, a second year college student, said: “I am eagerly waiting to watch Bajrangi Bhaijaan on Friday with my friends. I booked the tickets last week itself. ”
For years Salman Khan has remained Bollywood’s most revered star in the UAE. He has more ardent admirers in here than even some cities in India.
