The first half of 2018 had Padmaavat (Rs 250 cr-plus), Sanju (Rs 300 cr-plus) and Baaghi 2 (Rs 150 cr-plus) to balance out all evils. But the third quarter, Q3, i.e. July to September 2018, was really disappointing.
Of course, a few sparks flew with Akshay Kumar’s Gold, John Abraham’s Satyameva Jayate, Janhvi and Ishaan’s Dhadak and Rajkummar Rao’s surprise superhit, Stree, but despite these, the quarter failed to live up to box-office expectations. Varun Dhawan’s Sui Dhaaga: Made In India gave the collections a slight fillip. The numbers are still trickling in, but honestly, the third quarter has so far been the worst.
According to the trade journal Box Office India, while the first quarter had 54 releases and collected approximately Rs 16.24 crore per film, the second quarter had 39 releases averaging Rs 22.66 cr per film. But the third quarter, which had 61 releases, threw up just an average of Rs 10.61 cr per film.
The biggest movies are being readied for release in the last quarter.
You have Aamir Khan-Amitabh Bachchan-starrer Thugs of Hindostan that is scheduled for November 8 (Diwali); Shah Rukh Khan’s Zero, which is slated to open in cinemas on December 21 and Ranveer Singh’s Simmba that is expected on December 28. So, obviously, all is not lost.
Stree (Released on August 31): Rs 124.29 cr Superhit
Manmarziyaan (Released on Sept 14): Rs 26 crAverage
Batti Gul Meter Chalu (Released on Sept 21): Rs 37.80 crAverage
Sui Dhaaga: Made In India (Released on Sept 28): Rs 72 cr (till Mon, Oct 8) Hit