Welcome Back opens with Rs 14.4 cr

It's the third highest opening day collection of the year so far, behind Bajrangi Bhaijaan (Rs 27.25 cr) and Brothers (Rs 15.2 cr)

Welcome Back, the sequel to the 2007 comedy, Welcome, has opened to a good response at the box office, earning Rs 14.35 crore on its opening day. This is the third highest opening day collection of the year so far, behind Salman Khan’s Bajrangi Bhaijaan (Rs 27.25 crore) and Brothers (Rs 15.2 crore).  

The film, directed by Anees Bazmee, and starring John Abraham, Nana Patekar and Anil Kapoor in the lead roles, has been released in 3200 screens across the country by Eros International. “The film has been very well received at the box office, getting good footfalls at both multiplexes and single screens.

For a film to open so well on a non-holiday Friday, it has to do well on both these exhibition platforms. Apart from being entertaining, the film’s success can be attributed to it being a true sequel since it ties back to the storyline of the first part,” says Nandu Ahuja, Senior VP, India Theatrical, Eros International Media.

For a film to open so well on a non-holiday Friday, it has to do well on both these exhibition platforms. Apart from being entertaining, the film’s success can be attributed to it being a true sequel since it ties back to the storyline of the first part,” says Nandu Ahuja, Senior VP, India Theatrical, Eros International Media.

The fim has some funny one-liners that were highlighted in the promos thanks to Eros International’s innovative marketing strategy. This helped drive movie goers to the cinema halls on opening day. The film needs to make more than Rs 130 crore in total revenues to break even and generate profits for the producers. Analysts believe this may not be a tough task since the film has opened well, and is expected to do well in the overseas market in the days to come.

“Adding the international box office revenues and the fees from music and satellite rights, the film should sail through, resulting in yet another profitable venture for Eros,” says a Bollywood trade analyst.

Suniel Wadhwa independent distributor and box office analyst says, “Powered by the earlier successful brand Welcome, the sequel Welcome had a good start. The film has benefitted from performances by Anil Kapoor and Nana Patekar and the hilarious moments they provide, backed by director Anees Bazmee’s execution of the plot.”

 

 

Top openers of the year
Movie	Collection	Production
Bajrangi Bhaijaan	Rs 27.25 cr	Salman Khan Films and Eros International
Brothers	Rs 15.2 cr	Dharma productions and Fox Star Studios
Welcome Back	Rs 14.35 cr	Eros International
ABCD 2	Rs 14.3 cr	Disney
Gabbar is Back	Rs 13.05 cr	Viacom18 Motion Pictures

Welcome Back takes Eros’ is an addition to the successes under Eros’ belt this year. The company started its 2015 campaign with Badlapur (Varun Dhawan) followed by NH10 (Anushka Sharma and Neil Boopalam) and Tanu Weds Manu Returns (Kangana Ranaur and R Madhavan). The sequel to Welcome is expected to net Rs 48 to 50 crore or so over the weekend with Saturday numbers looking healthy at the half day mark on Saturday.

Wadhwa adds, “After Bajrangi Baijaan box office had lull period; Welcome Back, however, reversed that trend. The film has some memorable one-liners which were highlighted in the promos thanks to Eros International’s innovative marketing strategy. This helped drive movie goers to the cinema halls on opening day. With Saturday being holiday it will add further growth and weekend business looks to reach Rs 50 crore.”

Industry estimates peg the movie’s budget between Rs 70 crore (mainly due to overseas shooting and the large star cast).