SHAITAAN scored a superb first day as it collected 15 crore nett apprx edging past the numbers of DRISHYAM 2 and becoming the fourth highest opening day for Ajay Devgn after SINGHAM RETURNS, GOLMAAL AGAIN and TOTAL DHAMAAL. These three are franchise films while SHAITAAN is not and brand value does make a difference.

DRISHYAM 2 had opened with a similar total but here SHAITAAN has done a same number with a help of a holiday. Fair value for SHAITAAN will probably be around 10 crore or maybe 11 crore nett if we take out the holiday which itself would have been a good number. The real value of the opening day will be known after the results on Saturday. The growth will be minimal but hopefully the film can edge up on Saturday.

The heartening thing about the film is the circuit ratios are normal and its not as if there is a bulk of business coming from metros or South which has been the case with many films. The film has beaten the numbers of FIGHTER in some mass circuits and is the biggest opener of the year in these circuits. It was a holiday and that has helped but eventually, if these circuits do more than FIGHTER in the long run, that will be more than enough for SHAITAAN as this is not what you call a mass film either. It again illustrates that if you can just penetrate well into the multiplexes outside the metros, the numbers can come. 

SHAITAAN will now have to show solid growth on Sunday and it will be on its way. DRISHYAM 2 did a 62 crore nett weeknd which cannot happen here but if the film can get a 45-50 crore nett weekend, that will be a solid result and good Sunday growth will mean holds from Monday onwards too.

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SHAITAAN has emerged with the biggest opening in mass circuits as it beats the numbers of FIGHTER which was a bigger film. Mahashivratri holiday benefitted SHAITAAN but FIGHTER also came before a big national holiday which gave that film a boost. In the box office scenario today, if the Central circuits collect well, you are pretty certain the film is going to do well. The contributions may not be huge but you know these circuits are a guide to the film doing well outside metros.

SHAITAAN has also beaten FIGHTER in places like Odisha and Bihar but maybe these are best not to judge as to the black magic theme will be a huge plus in these markets especially Odisha. In West Bengal and Odisha, the zone of the film is a huge plus. 

Its just not these circuits but important areas like East Punjab and Gujarat are only short of FIGHTER due to the 3D screens. In both the circuits there are many centres with better numbers for SHAITAAN. If FIGHTER was a normal 2D release, then the collections in these circuits would also be higher. The aim for the industry should be get numbers up in these pockets as they ensure all round success for the film. It can be said that Mahashivratri has taken SHAITAAN over FIGHTER in these circuits but the result is not likely to be any different on Sunday and that will be like for like.

The collections of SHAITAAN and FIGHTER in the Central circuits are as follows.

Fighter - 60,00,000

Shaitaan - 67,00,000

Fighter - 58,00,000

Shaitaan -75,00,000

Fighter - 40,00,000

Shaitaan - 51,00,000