Daijiworld Media Network - Cinema
Mumbai, Mar 2: Cinemagoers had their plates full with two star-studded releases to catch. Luka Chuppi, starring KritiSanonand KartikAaryan, clashedwith Sonchiriya at the box office that boasts ofamulti-starrer castincluding Sushant Singh Rajput, Bhumi Pednekar, AshutoshRana, Manoj Bajpayee, RanvirShorey, etc. anda thick movie plot.
LaxmanUtekar’s directorial debut Luka Chuppi opened with an impressive collection of around Rs 8 crore. This comes as a closesecond to the highest collection for Kriti whosefilm Dilwale(2015)grossed Rs 21 crore on the first day of its release. Luka Chuppi is also seen as the biggest blockbuster for Kartik whose last filmSonuKeTitu Ki Sweety made around Rs 6.42 crore on its opening day.
The film criticsgive mixed reviews to the film. While HT decided to give a rating of 2.5, movie analyst TaranAdarshcalled it a big surprise as it had opened better than the earlier smash hits Badhaai Ho and Raazi.
Riding high on the smouldering performances of its ensemble cast, Sonchiriya is a dacoit drama that released this weekend. The filmed is helmed by director Abhishek who has entertained masses with his movies like Ishqia and Udta Punjab. The movie Sonchiriya delves into the ruthless lifestyle of rebels or dacoits living in the dusty valleys of Chambal during the 1970s. On the other hand, Luka Chuppi is a meet-cute story of a boy and girl who decide to give live-in a try. The real drama unfolds when their families get involved. Set in a small town in India, the movie is a funny take on the idea of live-in relationships in the country.
According to the film exhibitor AkshayeRathi, Luka Chuppi will have an advantage over Sonchiriya as it releasing on a wider scale, even as both the film promises to bring their own kind of viewers to the theatres.
Trade pundits are touting Sonchiriyaas a rustic, niche film that may not be a crowd puller. The trailer of the movie failed to create the awareness level that was expected. Lacking any songs, the film success strongly hinges on the word of mouth. Clearly not the frontrunner, the movie is expected to draw level over the weekend. The film will gross around Rs 1.5 crore in its opening week as the film critics decided to give it only 2 stars.
With so diversely entertaining movies to choose from, it is surely love vs. war for the movie lovers.