This week Bollywood fans had a tough choice to make about the movie to watch first, between Dilwale and Bajirao Mastani. The blockbusters have eaten into each others business, indeed, with the division of the screens, shows and movie fans. Another factor that affected their business was the protests from fringe groups against their screening in many cities.
Nevertheless, the films are going strong at the box office across the country.
Actor Shah Rukh Khan-starrer Dilwale collected Rs 21 crore on its opening day. Bajirao Mastani with Ranveer Singh in the lead managed Rs 12.80 crore and its business is growing due to the amazing word of mouth and rave reviews, posted film trade analyst Taran Adarsh on his Twitter account.
Dilwale, with Rs 21-crore in its kitty from its day one collection, has become one among the top five biggest owners of Bollywood this year.
Right-wing groups on Friday in many cities protested releasing of Dilwale due to Shah Rukh's recent comments on the issue of growing intolerance in the country.
BJP activists, meanwhile, staged protest demonstrations against Bajirao Mastani in Pune, forcing a multiplex cinema house to cancel all shows of the Sanjay Leela Bhansali's magnum opus.
They alleged that the story line of Bajirao Mastani has "distorted" historical facts of the era of Peshwa rule, forcing 'Citypride' cinema house to cancel all the shows.
The string of protests did not deter audience from going to theatres to watch their favourite films.
Dilwale, a potboiler from successful Rohit Shetty-Shah Rukh team, has opened mostly to poor reviews. However, reviews are unlikely to bother the filmmakers, so long the film keeps the cash registers ringing.
Bajirao Mastani, meanwhile, a love story of a Maratha ruler, from Sanjay Leela Bhansali has received mostly rave reviews.
