'Khatta Meetha' doing well at single screens, failing at multiplexes

The Akshay Kumar starrer 'Khatta Meetha' has had a sweet-sour effect on the box office as the Priyadarshan helmed comedy has made single-screen audiences burst into guffaws but left the multiplex crowd asking for more.

"The overall average occupancy for 'Khaata Meetha' over the weekend was 75 percent. Word of mouth is not that great and it is not being appreciated. Basically, it is a masses film meant only for single-screens where it is doing very well unlike in the multiplexes," Amit Awasthi, senior manager (Programming and Operations) of Spice Cinemas, said.

"Monday (July 26) onwards the occupancy of the movie has fallen drastically," he added.

A source from PVR cinemas said: "The weekend was okay and the occupancy was only 60 percent. The content is average and the initial was not as expected as out of an Akshay Kumar movie. We hope it sustains this week. However, it is doing well in single-screens."

Produced by Shree Ashtavinayak Cine Vision Ltd and distributed by DreamWorld Searchlight Pictures, 'Khatta Meetha' takes a dig at corruption and bribery.

Akshay's character in the movie is modelled on renowned cartoonist R.K. Laxman's iconic 'Common Man' character.

A remake of Priyadarshan's 1988 Malayalam film 'Vellanakalude Naadu', it also stars Makrand Deshpande, Johnny Lever, Rajpal Yadav, Aroona Irani and Milind Gunaji. Southern actress Trisha makes her Bollywood debut with the film.

"The weekend for 'Khatta Meetha' was only above average and not as per expectations, though not below too. The occupancy over the weekend has only been 70-75 percent vis-a-vis Akshay's films that generally get a 90-95 percent opening," said Yogesh Raizada, corporate head (Cinemas) of Wave Cinemas.

"The content is being appreciated at small centres but we are hoping it to sustain over the week, though there has been some fall on Monday," he added.

Deepak Taluja, senior vice president (Business and Operations) of Fun Cinemas, however, had a different story to tell.

"The weekend went quite well. Our expectations were rather very low but at the Delhi properties, it has got an occupancy of 60-65 percent on an average. Akshay Kumar's movie's hardly have a story but viewers have somehow liked it," said Taluja.

Single-screen theatres are going gaga over the film.

"People are liking the movie and it might stretch for a week at least. We have had an average occupancy of 80-85 percent in the initial weekend with a gross of over Rs.400,000. We are very happy with the audience reaction," said Prakash Dubey, manager, Sheila Cinema.

Added a source from Sangam cinema: "The movie has done good business at Sangam with an occupancy of over 80 percent. In fact Sunday (July 25) was houseful and jampacked. We are hoping it will sustain for at least two weeks."

'Khatta Meetha' reviews upset Trisha

South India actress Trisha Krishnan, who teamed up with Askhay Kumar in 'Khatta Meetha', is upset with the media for trashing the comedy.

"I am a bit net buff and read everything. The reviews were disheartening. The reviews have trashed the movie. I don't know box-office wise, it's too early to speak, I guess," Trisha said.

But she doesn't regret doing the movie.

"I don't regret because it's a baby step in Bollywood and I would not have got a better package. It had a big director, big hero and I am happy with it," said Trisha.

In 'Khatta Meetha', Trisha plays a municipal commissioner with Akshay essaying the role of a struggling construction contractor.

"People said that probably I didn't fit the role of the commissioner. The commissioner should be a slightly older person. Actually, it was a very backhanded compliment in a way. I did feel that a commissioner should look a bit mature," said the actress.

"Friends were honest to say that they didn't like me in the commissioner's role. They like me as a college girl. It was a risk because I have never done something like this. Even in the South, I have done different kinds of roles, but never this kind of a role," she said.

Box Office Update: Metro plexes khatta, single screens meetha

The opening response of KHATTA MEETHA was extremely mixed across the country. While the film opened to a below average response at multiplexes of metros, the opening numbers of the film at single screens ranged from good to very good. The occupancy at multiplexes was in 40% to 50% range, while single screens were 70% to 80%, which is good, but not excellent. The not-too-happening response at multiplexes of metros isn't good news, since a major chunk of revenue comes from plexes mainly. Will the single screens compensate that business, is to be seen.

Akshay Kumar's previous release HOUSE FULL had embarked on an electrifying start across the nation. In comparison, KHATTA MEETHA is approx. 60% of HOUSE FULL. One key factor that has gone against the film, besides the lack of solid content of course, is the fact that the makers had publicised the film as a full-on comedy, while KHATTA MEETHA is a satire, with emphasis on drama. The misleading promotion seems to have sent out wrong signals, with several moviegoers feeling dejected.

KHATTA MEETHA has to fare exceedingly well on Saturday and Sunday [at plexes as well as single screens], if it has to collect a hefty total in its opening weekend.

WATCH: Akshay promotes Khatta Meetha on a bicycle

Akshay Kumar was seen promoting his soon-to-release film Khatta Meetha on a cycle in Pune. READ THE FULL ARTICLE

Akshay on a cycle to promote Khatta Meetha

To promote their films, stars these days are adopting new means to reach out to audiences.

Film star Akshay Kumar, whose new film Khatta Meetha is due for release, is visiting different cities for its promotion. And as part of this promotion campaign, the actor rode a bicycle symbolising the character of a common man he is playing in this film in Pune on Saturday.

Khatta Meetha is a political satire on the municipal and constructions dealings in India told through the life of a contractor Sachin Tichkule.

But unlike the common man, who will go unnoticed on a bicycle, Akshay Kumar had to face a lot of difficulty.

Akki could not find his way, as a large crowd that had gathered to see him made it impossible for him to even ride a few metres.

The actor struck an instant chord with his enthusiastic fans by speaking in their local language Marathi.

"Jai Maharashtra. It is not that I am learning Marathi, I know the language very well. I have a strong connection with Pune, in fact my first film was shot here. I am happy to be back in Pune," said Akshay.

Later talking to reporters, Akshay Kumar said that there is also a message in the film on how corruption is deep rooted in our system and which is why we can't even have good roads as the contractors have to bribe so many people.

"I think you should visit Mumbai and see the condition of roads there. It's pathetic and I came to know that it was because the contractors just cannot do quality work because they have to bribe so many people. But it's how the system works. There is a message in our movie and if we are able to get it through this will serve our purpose," he said.

This is Akshay's second release of 2010 after Housefull. Khatta Meetha, which also has southern actress Trisha is set to hit theaters on July 23.

FIRST LOOK: Khatta Meetha