On August 14, Sunny Deol’s film ‘Bantwara 1947’ and Emraan Hashmi’s ‘Awarapan 2’ will clash at the box office. Interestingly, both stars have faced off at the box office before, back in 2007. At that time, Sunny’s film ‘Apne’ and Emraan Hashmi’s ‘Awarapan’ were released on the same day.

Now, 19 years later, the two are facing each other again. This time, the target audiences for the films differ, and trade experts hold divided opinions regarding their opening prospects. While experts predict an opening of ₹15–16 crore for ‘Bantwara 1947’, distributors believe ‘Awarapan 2’ has a strong hold on the mass market. Furthermore, exhibitors currently favor giving both films an equal opportunity.

Amar Ujala Digital spoke to five box-office trade experts to gauge expectations for this major clash on August 14: Which film might secure a big opening? Which one is generating the most audience excitement?

‘Not betting on just one film’

According to Narendra Hirawat, Chairman of NH Studios, exhibitors do not appear to be favoring any single film at the moment. He says, "There isn't a significant buzz among exhibitors regarding either film right now. Early booking trends are just beginning to emerge, so it would be premature to draw any conclusions."

Narendra also shares additional insights that clarify the outlook for both films' openings:

Single-screen exhibitors currently prefer giving both films an equal chance rather than dedicating all show slots to just one.
Many exhibitors would prefer to split show timings between the two films, aiming to allocate approximately two shows to each.
For the first few days, exhibitors want to observe which film gains better traction after its release. 'Curiosity surrounds both films'
According to Deepak Advani, Executive Director of Miraj Cinemas, initial interest in both films is evident at the theatre level. He says, "There is considerable curiosity among the audience regarding both films, especially among those who prefer movies with strong content and familiar themes. Bookings have yet to start, but early inquiries indicate a promising level of interest in both films."

The film that garners strong word-of-mouth and positive reviews will likely see greater growth in its weekend collections.
In today's theatrical market, audience response following the opening weekend has become more crucial than the opening itself.
The weekend response from families and groups, in particular, can play a pivotal role in bolstering a film's performance.

'Sunny's film to gain the upper hand'
Trade analyst Rajiv Chaudhary believes there is no direct clash between the two films in terms of their opening. He states, "To be honest, it isn't really a contest. 'Partition: 1947' is already generating buzz. It is a major release and will secure more showtimes; consequently, its opening will be significantly larger."

Rajiv Chaudhary also shared some specific insights regarding the film 'Aawarapan'. He remarked...

The trailer for 'Aawarapan 2' features some slow-motion sequences and beautiful shots, yet it lacks elements that would instantly captivate the audience.
While Shabana Azmi's presence does spark some interest, the trailer, on the whole, hasn't quite clicked yet.
If the music turns out to be good, the film might salvage something from that, but a film cannot rely solely on music; a strong opening is also essential.
The original 'Aawarapan', released in 2007, was not a major hit initially but later achieved cult status.

PC Social Media