Raavan performs better on Ratnam's home turf

Mani Ratnam’s Raavan may have failed to strike a chord with Hindi-speaking audiences, but the Tamil version, Raavanan offers some hope for distributors and exhibitors.

While occupancy rates for the Hindi version have hovered between 45-50 per cent over the weekend, the Tamil version clocked record numbers at theatres.

Ashish Saxena, COO Big Cinemas said, “Occupancy rates at theatres where the Tamil version is being screened has been 90-95 per cent during the weekend. The Hindi version has seen a drop in occupancy today from the 70 per cent recorded in the last three days.”

“We have done business worth Rs 3.20 crore across the 95 screens Raavan is being shown at PVR. The Tamil version, being screened in 15 theatres, has realised Rs 22 lakh,” added Prakhar Joshi, head of programming, PVR Cinemas. With tickets sold out in Chennai and other parts of Tamil Nadu till Tuesday, distributors are expecting to make more money from the regional version.

Industry estimates indicate while the Hindi version has raked in Rs 6.50 crore across India till Friday, the Tamil version made Rs 3.35 crore from collections in Tamil Nadu alone.

According to data available with BoxOffice India, Raavan had a Rs 17-crore weekend across the 1,575 screens in both the Indian and overseas markets. Raavanan, however, has fared comparatively better, bringing in Rs 8 crore in nett collections from 375 screens, worldwide.

Film trade analyst Komal Nahata pointed out, “Mani Ratnam is a renowned director in south India, Vikram Kennedy, too is popular with the masses there, the Tamil film is thus doing better business. However, given the overall indications, Reliance Big Entertainment (RBEL) stands to lose at least Rs 30 crore from the venture.” RBEL is believed to have invested a whopping Rs 110 crore in making and distributing the film.

Occupancy rates for the hindi version already registered a sharp decline today. Satyam Cineplexes which is running 50-odd shows in Delhi and Indore has seen occupancy rates crashing to 30 per cent from the 55 per cent recorded during the weekend, said vice-president Jayendra Banerji.