With Pakistani film releases delayed because of the Coronavirus, we might see multiple Eid releases when things get better. However, common sense dictates that saturated film releases aren’t a good idea with so many movies facing off at the box office.
Before we proceed further, a word of caution is called for. Given the threat of coronavirus, and the limited lockdown imposed nationwide (which includes closed cinemas), these estimates may not pan out. This post assumes that the government could ease lockdown measures in the run up to Eid, depending on how Pakistan effectively fights back against the covid-19 threat.
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The clash of titans
Coming back to the topic, assuming that cinema houses in Pakistan are opened during the run up to Eid ul Fitr 2020, pundits expect the Pakistani box office to do rather well. We have an entertainment-starved public on one hand, and a slate of Pakistani movies on the other.
Will it do well as in 2017, which saw two of the biggest Pakistani hits in modern history facing off each other?
Last time we had a fierce film face-off was when Punjab Nahi Jaungi and Na Maloom Afraad clashed at the box office. These two Eid releases clashed on Eid-ul-Azha of 2017.
Punjab Nahi Jaungi cast Humayun Saeed and Mehwish Hayat. While Na Maloom Afraad 2 cast Fahad Mustafa, Hania Amir, and Urwa Hocane. Despite the face-off both films did exceptionally well.
Both movies enjoyed massive tickets sales over the opening weekend, with neck to neck competition.
Later throughout the Eid weekend, Punjab Nahi Jaungi gained the lead. Punjab Nahi Jaungi had bagged around Rs 75.7 million over the weekend compared to Rs 74.9 million for Na Maloom Afraad 2.
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While the Na Maloom Afraad sequel bagged the box office in Karachi. Punjab Nahi Jaungi saw success in Punjab, especially in cities like Sialkot, Gujranwala, Multan, and others.
Becoming a hit in Pakistan’s most densely populated province certainly paid off as the film bagged Rs 150 million on its opening weekend.
So how will the face-off between Eid releases look this year? We’re expecting a lot more than the usual two to three films. But of course, given as how the threat of coronavirus looms large over our lives, will Lollywood consider postponing these movies altogether?
Only time will tell.
