The weekend collections of Saaho are out, and they are sensational all over. The big tick in Telugu states was expected considering Rebel Star Prabhas being a local hero. Saaho has collected around 58 Cr Share. However, it is the Hindi version numbers which have come as a shock to everyone.
In Hindi, Saaho has collected close to 79 Cr in its opening weekend. The Sunday numbers were the highest of the year for Hindi films. Remember the 79 Cr comes with no support from the southern states as well. Considering all that, and the reviews, in general, it is a massive achievement.
Overall, the weekend domestic collections in India are around 190 Cr Nett. It is phenomenal and next only to the mighty Baahubali 2 (although the gap is enormous). It has brought to light another observation which showcases how badly Bollywood has been doing for itself from a long time.
For the rest of the year, there are only two more biggies to hit screens from Bollywood in real sense. They are War and Dabangg 3. If one includes Houseful 4, that would be three films.
Here comes the shocking fact. War, which is expected to open the best, is likely to touch 50 Cr Nett in the best-case scenario. It is also due to it coming on a National Holiday. Expectations on Dabangg 3 are much less opening wise as it’s a non-holiday release.
These numbers are only half of what Saaho has managed on its opening day. What’s more, the weekend collections of Saaho could be reached or crossed by the end of the first week, if these movies get favourable talk. That is how vast the difference is between Saaho starring Prabhas and these Bollywood films.
The lack of mass penetration in the Southern film industries is the primary reason for the situation. Of course, it was the same for South movies as well vis a vis the North, but Prabhas has broken that barrier with Saaho and hence the elevation in range.
