The Punjabi film PUAADA is set to bring the audiences back in Punjab as it records good advances across the main theatres in Punjab. It is pretty much certain the film will see the best response anywhere in India outside the South post the pandemic.

The advance could turn out to be excellent if the final day before release pushes through. It could be that the advance is better or comparable to any Punjabi film released before the pandemic outside the biggest blockbusters of Punjabi cinema like SHADAA and CARRY ON JATTA 2. This is a like for like comparison and only comparing the cinemas where PUAADA will release.

The main headwind will be the theatre count as the biggest Punjabi films were releasing in 175 plus theatres but here post the pandemic, PUAADA may have to settle for around 100 cinemas. This is because some theatre have rent issues and others not coming to a settlement on paying the virtual print fee. There are three key cinemas which are not open yet which are PVR Mohali, PVR Zirakpur and PVR Khanna and if these open over the weekend it will give PUAADA a huge boost. Before the pandemic, these three theatres alone could collect 10 lakh nett in a day for a Punjabi film.

Despite the smaller release the film seems pretty certain to collect well and there is no doubt the occupancy will be good over the weekend. In terms of collections it remains to be seen what numbers it can hit. The top films of Ammy Virk used to hit the 1 crore nett plus mark in East Punjab prior to the pandemic. PUAADA will be coming with at least 40-50% less theatres and that too with these theatres only allowing 50% occupancy.

The 50% occupancy rule is especially a killer as the successful Punjabi films go to 100% occupancy in many shows in many properties across the state especially over the first weekend. Here it will be just half the collections on the allowed full house..

PUAADA has also seen a solid response overseas with good sales in Canada despite the country having occupancy restrictions (although this is not a major problem for Hollywood releases as they generally have lower occupancy but Punjabi films record housefull shows in many cities like Toronto, Vancouver and Surrey). The film could deliver some good numbers overseas as well.