Ghayal Once Again opened to big numbers in North America, while Sanam Teri Kasam flopped hard. During the weekend of February 5-7, 2016, Ghayal Once Again earned $173,395 from 80 theaters ($2,167 average). This impressive debut for the Sunny Deol sequel was due primarily to his devoted Canadian fans. 43% of the movie’s total opening weekend gross came from 13 theaters in Canada, which accounted for just 16% of the total number of theaters in North America. The per-screen average for those Canadian theaters was $5,702, compared to $1,482 per screen in the United States.
Sanam Teri Kasam had the worst opening weekend of 2016 so far, which is saying something. It earned just $21,660 from 37 theaters, for a pathetic average of just $585. The recent anemic earnings of Sanam Teri Kasam, Mastizaade, and Kyaa Kool Hain Hum 3 make the case for same-day digital rental in North America, rather than theatrical releases for films that won’t bring people to the cinema. A few films tried same-day rental back in 2010 before the test was largely abandoned, but I’d love to see Eros Now revisit it.
Bollywood Hungama — which gets its information from Rentrak — didn’t post weekend earnings for Airlift, which still has a large presence in North American theaters.
Other Hindi movies still showing in North American theaters:
- Bajirao Mastani: Week 8; $4,347 from four theaters; $1,087 average; $6,558,711 total
- Saala Khadoos: Week 2; $3,831 from eight theaters; $479 average; $88,381 total
- Mastizaade: Week 2; $2,233 from two theaters; $1,117 average; $43,403 total
- Wazir: Week 5; $818 from three theaters; $273 average; $1,112,655 total
- Kyaa Kool Hain Hum 3: Week 3; $190 from one theater; $31,914 total
Source: Rentrak, via Bollywood Hungama