Bhaag Milkha Bhaag running ahead at the box office

This Friday three films clashed at the box office -- Bhaag Milkha
Bhaag, Shorts and Sixteen -- and distributors say of these Farhan
Akhtar-starrer biopic is
doing good business at the box office
despite getting mixed response from the
critics. They predict its weekend collection
could reach Rs.30 crore mark.

Rajesh Thadani of Multimedia Combines
told IANS: " Bhaag Milkha Bhaag is going great in multiplexes, but not
that great on
single screens. On Friday and Saturday, the
film has collected approximately Rs18
crore. Most probably the film should collect
around Rs.30 crore by the weekend."

In his bid to familiarise achievers to the
moviegoers, director Rakeysh Omprakash
Mehra went behind the camera to bring
the story of grit and determination of
former Olympian athlete Milkha Singh, also
known as Flying Singh, on the celluloid. His efforts got mixed
response from critics.

Some critics praised it, saying the synergy
in the story is subliminal and Farhan has
got so well under the skin of the Milkha's
character that it seems he occupies the
champion's mind, body and soul. Others
find it too long, and criticised it saying the director has reduced
the human saga to a
melodramatic and over-wrought tale.

But it seems that critics' ratings have not
influenced the viewers judgement.

Sanjay Ghai from Mukta Arts said: "BMB is
doing extraordinary business in Delhi. It
has collected around Rs.5 crore in two
days, which is outstanding."

He added, "Advance booking is on full
swing and there are hardly any tickets
available for Sunday." Lyricist Prasoon
Joshi scripted the film, which collected an
impressive Rs.8.5 crore on its opening day.

Rajasthan-based Sunil Bhansal of Yashraj
Jai Pictures Pvt. Ltd., sees a bright prospect
for the film and says if footfalls don't dip
on Monday, it may join the Rs.100-crore
club.

"So far, the collections are going strong
and if the film doesn't dip on Monday and
goes steadily, then it may be in the
Rs.100-crore club."

The performance of the other two films Shorts and Sixteen is no threat
to Bhaag Milkha Bhaag.

Ghai said, " Bhaag Milkha Bhaag has completely overshadowed the other two
films."

According to Thadani, Shorts and Sixteen are disasters. "There is hardly any
occupancy."