Hindi
Priyanka Chopra gets applauded for her performance in ‘Mary Kom’
MUMBAI: Mary Kom, which features Priyanka Chopra in the lead, is on its way to become the highest grosser women oriented film in Indian Film Industry. On its opening day the film has made 8 Cr, 9.25 Cr on Saturday and will cross 10 Cr on Sunday as per the ongoing trade buzz. Mary Kom, a biopic on the five-time boxing champion M C MaryKom’s life, is directed by first time director Omung Kumar and co-produced by Sanjay Leela Bhansali.
The film has been shot for the better part in Imphal, Manipur, where the sportswoman was bred. Born in a humble home in Kangathei, Mary was only a teenager when she decided to pursue boxing, despite inviting her father’s ire.
A story of a strong willed Manipur-based girl, who faced all odds to pursue her passion and who continued to follow her love for boxing even after becoming a wife and a mother of two, Mary Kom released in 1,800 plus screens in the country.
The movie is perched comfortable on its way to profitability. The movie has earned the distinction of breaking even in record time. Trade analysts and distributors reveal the movie is set to maintain collections over the weekend and should hit the Rs 30 Cr mark by Monday quoted a leading business daily.
“Priyanka Chopra has outdone herself. She has played Mary Kom to the hilt. She definitely deserves a National Award for this performance. Also with this Mary Kom is on its way to become the highest grosser of the year in the league of out and out woman oriented cinema. Just like Mary Kom, this film is a sure-shot winner”, says Vajir Singh, Trade Analyst and Editor of Box Office India.
Another Trade analyst and Editor of Film Information Komal Nahta says, “First day collections were 8 Cr, second day 9.25 Cr and I am sure that it will pick-up on Sunday also.Priyanka lives the character of Mary Kom and proves that she was born to play the role. She has put in tremendous effort to essay the role and all the hard work seems to be worthwhile because she shines with a mind-blowing performance which is absolutely award-worthy. It’s her most memorable performances. Mary Kom is a box office champion.”
A leading distributor of Delhi, Sanjay Ghai of Mukta Arts says, “First weekend collection will be 32-33 Cr and it will made 55 Cr in its first week of release. I think that it will become tax free all over India in coming few days. Priyanka does a good job of getting into the part. She has brought the boxer to life convincingly enough. Priyanka will win most of the awards this year for her outstanding performance in Mary Kom. It leaves you rooting for our sportsmen who have put India on the world map. We should make such kind of commercially viable real life stories more often.”
Rajesh Thadani of Multimedia Combines, a leading distributor from Mumbai says, “Mary Kom didn’t disappoint as it opened decently and minted about Rs. 8.5 crore net at India box office, as per early trade estimates. Its PriyankaChopra’s best act to date. Mary Kom has shown fantastic growth of 20% on Saturday from Friday. Mary Kom is doing very well in multiplexes. This is however much bigger opening than what Mardaani and Queen got so that in itself is commendable. Mary Kom also had a benefit of no tax inMaharshtra and other states which helped boost its collection. MaryKom will also likely to have good Sunday and will have one of the top 10 opening weekends of 2014.”
Mary Kom is on its way to being a part of the slew of medium budget movies which have reaped rich dividends for its makers after box office collections, satellite rights and music rights.
Hindi
ZEE5, Applause announce new film Everybody Loves Sohrab Handa
Rajat Kapoor’s dark comedy thriller to stream on ZEE5 from April 10
MUMBAI: ZEE5 and Applause Entertainment have announced their next direct-to-digital collaboration, Everybody Loves Sohrab Handa, a darkly comic whodunnit set to stream from April 10.
Produced in association with Mithya Talkies and written and directed by Rajat Kapoor, the film marks the latest addition to a growing slate of genre-diverse titles from the two partners. Their previous collaborations include dramas, psychological thrillers and dark comedies, with this outing leaning into a layered murder mystery.
The film features an ensemble cast including Vinay Pathak, Ranvir Shorey, Waluscha De Sousa and Saurabh Shukla, among others. The narrative promises a mix of satire, strained relationships and hidden tensions, inviting viewers to look beyond the crime to the dynamics that lead up to it.
ZEE5 business head hindi and chief channel officer Andtv Kaveri Das said, “Our collaboration with Applause Entertainment has been instrumental in building a strong slate with titles such as Bloody Brothers, Mithya and Jab Khuli Kitaab. Everybody Loves Sohrab Handa is a natural progression, aligning with our focus on genre-led content that resonates with audiences.”
Applause Entertainment business head movies Sunil Chainani said, “This collaboration with ZEE5 continues to stand out for its diversity of genres and narrative styles. Everybody Loves Sohrab Handa adds a sharp, darkly comic whodunnit to that mix, driven by Rajat Kapoor’s distinct voice.”
Sharing his creative approach, Rajat Kapoor said he was drawn to the emotional layers behind the genre. “I was interested not just in the mechanics of a whodunnit, but the emotional violence that precedes physical violence. These are people who appear close, yet carry unspoken tensions that eventually surface.”
The partnership between ZEE5 and Applause continues to build on a shared focus on distinctive storytelling, with each project exploring a different tone and genre.
With its mix of humour, tension and ensemble storytelling, the film aims to offer more than just a mystery. It promises a closer look at the secrets people keep, and the consequences when they finally come to light.
