2 June 2023, Mumbai: Zara Hatke Zara Bachke, featuring the dynamic duo Vicky Kaushal and Sara Ali Khan, has generated a decent buzz with its advance booking sales. The film, directed by Laxman Utekar, has successfully sold approximately 22,000 tickets across three national chains during its advance booking phase. Initially, there were concerns about securing substantial advances, but the film managed to attract a considerable number of ticket buyers, keeping the interest of box office enthusiasts intact. The advance bookings were further boosted by the enticing buy one get one offer on online ticket purchases. Now, all eyes are on the on-the-day ticket sales, as a positive trend could potentially result in an opening day collection of around Rs 4 crores or more.
What does the future holds for the Film?
Zara Hatke Zara Bachke marks the return of the highly acclaimed director Laxman Utekar after the success of Luka Chuppi. However, the current box office landscape differs greatly from the pre-Covid era, when mid-sized romantic comedy dramas easily attracted audiences. The trade had low expectations for Zara Hatke Zara Bachke, but the film has gained some momentum on the day prior to its release, bringing a glimmer of optimism. The film’s fate at the box office will largely depend on the early reports and reviews. If the response is positive, it has the potential to make a notable impact in Indian theaters. It is worth noting that both Sara Ali Khan and Vicky Kaushal are returning to the big screen after featuring in multiple projects that were released directly on digital platforms. This shift in viewing habits, where audiences are accustomed to watching their favorite stars from the comfort of their homes at subsidized costs, poses a challenge for the film. The performance of Zara Hatke Zara Bachke will be closely monitored as it will provide insights into whether small-town romantic comedies still hold appeal for audiences.
Facing any competition?
One advantage for Zara Hatke Zara Bachke is the absence of significant local competition for two consecutive weeks, until the release of Adipurush. However, it will be contending with the animated Spider-Man film, Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse. While many in the trade believe that the Spider-Man movie will dominate the Indian box office this week, the final outcome remains uncertain until it unfolds.
In comparison to other Hindi films this year, Zara Hatke Zara Bachke’s advance ticket sales of 22,000 in three national chains showcase a promising start. It’s worth noting that Pathaan topped the list with 5.56 lakhs in advance ticket sales, followed by Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar with 73 thousand, Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan with 57 thousand, and Bholaa with 36 thousand. The Kerala Story secured 32 thousand advance ticket sales, while Shehzada managed 30 thousand (buy one get one). Selfiee and Mrs Chatterjee Vs Norway recorded 8 thousand and 6 thousand advance ticket sales, respectively.