Low Ticket Sales Raise Concerns

The Akshay Kumar-starrer 'Sarfira' is set to release on Friday, July 12. However, as of Wednesday, July 10, ticket sales for the first day remained below 1,000 across major national chains – PVR, Inox, and Cinepolis. Trade experts weighed in on the film's potential performance and current buzz.

 

Modest Opening Predicted

Trade expert Taran Adarsh noted, "The buzz is low and there’s not much hype about it. This is likely a word-of-mouth film. The original, 'Soorarai Pottru' (2020), was a beautiful film, and the National Award it received was well-deserved. I am sure 'Sarfira' will also be a faithful remake. The casting of Akshay Kumar and Paresh Rawal is interesting as they are reuniting after a long time."

 

Word-of-Mouth Potential

Trade analyst Atul Mohan echoed this sentiment, stating, "Sarfira might rely on word-of-mouth. It's an inspirational film. Before the pandemic, Akshay Kumar was appreciated for films like 'Mission Mangal' (2019), 'Toilet: Ek Prem Katha' (2017), and 'Pad Man' (2018). This film is in a similar vein."

Mohan added, "After the lockdown, Akshay ventured into more commercial films like 'Sooryavanshi', 'Bachchhan Paandey', and 'Bade Miyan Chote Miyan'. However, the family audience, which has shown up in large numbers this year, will likely come to see it."

 

Concerns Over Audience Reach

Addressing concerns about the film’s potential viewership, Mohan said, "Not everyone has access to OTT platforms. Many people haven't seen the original film."

 

Mixed Reactions from Trade Analysts

Raj Bansal, owner of Entertainment Paradise in Jaipur, pointed out that the issue might lie with the actor's frequent appearances, not the content. "The actor appears in five films a year. The public gets bored," he said.

Bansal predicted, "Despite the negligible buzz, it will open better than 'Selfiee' (2023) and 'Mission Raniganj' (2023), with an opening in the range of Rs. 5-6 crores. Reports from Mumbai suggest a positive response, which might help the film pick up after the initial shows."

 

Changing Dynamics in Film Industry

Experts confirmed that five years ago, a film like 'Sarfira' would have been a safe bet. Taran Adarsh explained, "Today, people wait for public reviews before deciding to watch a film. It's crucial for 'Sarfira' to get a decent start for Akshay Kumar and the industry."

Raj Bansal agreed, "Five years ago, it would have opened in double digits. Now, things have changed. A subject like this might not interest a large section of the audience."

 

Competition and Future Prospects

Taran Adarsh mentioned that advance booking is weak and the film faces competition from 'Hindustani 2'. He remarked, "There’s not much awareness about 'Sarfira', but it’s a brand. Unexpected successes can happen, as seen with 'Kalki 2898 AD'. However, next week’s release 'Bad Newz' might affect 'Sarfira's' performance."

Adarsh expressed hope, "I hope it doesn’t open under Rs. 4 crores. It should open at Rs. 5 crores, but that’s not befitting Akshay Kumar’s stardom."

 

Promotional Strategies

When asked about potential promotional tactics, Adarsh replied, "Opting for a Buy One Get One (BOGO) ticket-free scheme would be a letdown for a star cast film like 'Sarfira'. Such schemes spoil audiences. The makers should avoid it to maintain the film's face value."