Bollywood gets Ready for blitzkrieg

After a three-month lull at the box office due to the World Cup and the India Premier League (IPL), Salman Khan-starrer Ready is making waves. It grossed Rs 13.15 crore on the first day itself, the second-highest after Dabangg.

It also ensures Khan, the hero of Dabangg that had a first-day collection of Rs 14.5 crore, has continued his magic spell. Ready is made at a cost, including expenses on marketing, of Rs 45 crore.

Most trade analysts believe the Anees Bazmee-directed film will rake in Rs 40-45 crore during the opening weekend, recovering its entire cost in three days. Co-produced by Sohail Khan, T-Series and Rawail Grandsons, the film was released at over 1,500 screens.

Ready, a remake of a Telugu flick, has come as a respite to both multiplexes and single-screen theatre owners. “After a long time, we are seeing occupancy of 90-100 per cent. There were no big releases due to the World Cup and the IPL. After Dabangg, this is the first film that has generated so much interest among movie-goers,” said a multiplex official.