The last big film of 2022, Cirkus, is all set to be released on December 23. A lot of expectations are riding on this film as it reunites actor Ranveer Singh and director Rohit Shetty after the blockbuster Simmba (2018). Though the ticket sales haven’t been encouraging, the trade experts are hopeful that Cirkus can work big time, provided the audience gives the film thumbs up.
When asked about the advance booking, trade analyst Atul Mohan said, “The advance booking is not up to the mark. The trailer has not worked as intended.”
Trade veteran Taran Adarsh emphasized, “The advance is not in sync with the names attached to the film, be it Rohit Shetty or Ranveer Singh. The majority of Rohit’s films have worked. He’s a hit machine but somehow, the advance of this film hasn’t been too good. But then, the advances weren’t opened till the last minute for his last film, Sooryavanshi (2021). That film relied on spot bookings. It took a fantastic opening of Rs. 26.29 crores despite 50% occupancy. Rohit Shetty, hence, has a loyal audience and it can help the film to open well”
When asked the reason for not-so-good advance booking, Taran Adarsh answered, “There are multiple reasons. Firstly, the trailer invoked mixed reactions. The buzz that should have been created with the trailer was missing. Secondly, the Avatar wave is also there.”
Raj Bansal, the owner of Entertainment Paradise in Jaipur, agreed, “Avatar: The Way Of Water will definitely affect Cirkus. Its collections are excellent. To collect Rs. 125 crores in 3 days is a feat.”
Raj Bansal continued, “The advance is very poor as people haven’t been excited by the trailer.” Girish Johar, producer and film business analyst, opined, “The audiences were expecting a little more grandeur and larger-than-life scale as well as a laugh riot kind of stuff from Rohit Shetty. The ticket sales are a little underwhelming. But the advance booking usually picks up from Wednesday or Thursday. The same happened with Drishyam 2 as well.”
Price factor
The makers have adopted a unique price strategy for Cirkus. Film exhibitor and distributor Akshaye Rathi explained, “The three bands for the multiplexes are regular, premium and blockbuster. Cirkus rates are somewhere between regular and premium.”
He further explained, “The ticket prices are not in the blockbuster category as the film caters to the aam junta. The idea is to make it financially accessible to as wide an audience as possible. Having said that, it’s a premium product as it’s a Rohit Shetty movie. Rather than going for blockbuster rates, the pricing is between regular and premium so that the higher number of footfalls can be targeted rather than squeeze out more money from fewer number of people”
Raj Bansal believes such kind of pricing is a “mistake”. He opined, “One of the biggest reasons for Drishyam 2’s success is fair pricing. Also, the content was strong. No wonder the film became a blockbuster”
He continued, “Cirkus rates should have been at par with Drishyam 2. Aap audience ko theatre mein aane toh do. So many people keep away from cinemas seeing the ticket rates.”
Opening day prediction
When asked to predict the opening day numbers, Raj Bansal said, “Rs. 8.50-9 crores. A double digit opening looks difficult. If reports are positive, we can expect spot bookings.”
Atul Mohan feels the first-day collection of Rs. 10 crores plus is still possible, “It all will depend on how the film is and public reports. If word of mouth is positive, it stands a huge chance.”
Taran Adarsh also agreed, “It should open at double digits as the film is riding on high expectations. If it doesn’t, then it’ll be a shocker.” Girish Johar, meanwhile, predicted that Crikus can open in the range of Rs. 12-15 crores.
All is not lost yet
The trade experts feel that the advance can still pick up, especially in the last 24 hours, translating into a healthy day 1 number. Taran Adarsh said, “There are 2-3 days remaining for the film to release. The advances can pick up but as of now, it’s not looking good.”
He also believes that Cirkus can see a huge jump on Saturday considering how last month, Drishyam 2 too jumped from Rs. 15.38 crores on day 1 to Rs. 21.59 crores on day 2. Taran Adarsh said, “It can jump on Saturday. In fact, I don’t rule out a huge turnout on day 1 also. Moreover, this is a festive week with Christmas Eve on Saturday and Sunday being the Christmas holiday. The holiday season continues till Sunday, January 1 not just in India but worldwide.”
Raj Bansal exulted, “The film can even jump 1 ½ time on Saturday if word of mouth is encouraging. Even Sunday can be strong, more so because it’s Christmas.”
Girish Johar also is kicked about Cirkus’s growth from day 2, more so after Drishyam 2’s trends. Moreover, with no major film releasing till Pathaan on January 25, Cirkus can get a clean five-week window. On this, Girish Johar cautioned, “Nowadays, it’s all about strong content. If the film works, then even 4 weeks are not sufficient and if it’s not good enough, then it’ll be out in a day. This dynamic has changed. Mediocrity is not working at the box office.”
Can Cirkus cross the Rs. 100 crores and Rs. 200 crores milestones?
When asked if Cirkus can get an entry into the Rs. 100 crore and Rs. 200 crore clubs, Atul Mohan said, “Why not? If word of mouth is positive, then anything is possible.” Taran Adarsh said he hopes to see Cirkus go past the Rs. 200 crore mark, “Ideally, it should. Sooryavanshi fell short of Rs. 200 crores but that was due to the pandemic restrictions”
Raj Bansal, however, predicted, “I have my doubts about Rs. 100 crores, looking at the advance trends.”
To conclude
Akshaye Rathi signed off on an optimistic note, “Cirkus is a film by Rohit Shetty, who caters to the lowest common denominator of the social strata, which is 80% of India’s audience. That is the audience that prefers to stand in serpentine queues outside the box office on the day of the release. I am pretty hopeful; in Rohit Shetty, we trust. Time and again, he has delivered at the box office irrespective of reviews and critical responses to his films. That man knows the pulse of India’s audience and I am pretty confident that this Friday, he shall deliver yet again with Cirkus.”
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