Shahid Kapoor and Shraddha Kapoor-starrer ‘Batti Gul Meter Chalu’ recorded a slow start and collected only Rs 6.76 crore on its opening day at the box office. Going by its starry cast and publicity, the film was expected to fetch much more than that. On Saturday, the film’s collection witnessed a jump with Rs 7.96 crore, marking a two day total of Rs 14.72 crore at the ticket windows. Directed by Shree Narayan Singh, ‘Batti Gul Meter Chalu’ is based on the social issue of electricity stealing and the buzz suggests that audiences are looking more for entertainment over social issues, hence the drop in the film’s box office collection. Nawazuddin Siddiqui-starrer ‘Manto’ too released on the same Friday and managed to collect only Rs 1.20 crore, not a very pleasing figure for its makers.
‘Batti Gul Meter Chalu’ released on a non-holiday weekend on around 2,500 screens across the country. Since Shahid enjoys massive following in metro cities, maximum contribution was expected from the city theatres. Predictions are that ‘Batti Gul Meter Chalu’ should collect approximately Rs 30 crore by the first weekend at the box office. ‘Batti Gul Meter Chalu’ is reportedly made on a budget of Rs 40 crore.
