The first Friday in terms of major releases has turned out to be a total disaster. Tiger Zinda Hai gave a lift at the end of last year but normal service resumed this week. Kaalakandi and Mukkabaaz have opened to disaster numbers while 1921 has a disaster release. 1921 is not playing in the major multiplex chains as they have a digital deal which allows this film to go digital after six weeks but the major chains have a requirement for release of 8 weeks. 

So what has happened is the makers have let go of the major chains as they prefer the digital revenue but this could change with more negotiation. Still even with 30-40% of the business missing the film could still be the top film of the new releases as the initials of Kaalakandi and Mukkabaaz are so bad. 

Kaalakandi has very dull figures but it is better than Mukkabaaz. As per the reports of the former in Mumbai and Delhi the film has a lot of English which seems to be a problem in the main cities so it will be worse for the film in other cities.

The opening of these films make it tough even with growth so it will be basically which film out of these comes out on top. Kaalakandi  looks a C grade european film with an Indian setting while Mukkabaaz actually tries to be a desi film but the trailer hardly excites and does not have that vibe of a Hindi desi film and on top a director who also seems inspired from the storytelling of European cinema.

It will be a battle of Europe and day one will go to the European film but maybe in time that realistic Delhi / UP feel could make the Europena directors film catch up. The morning figures of Kaalakandi and Mukkabaaz in Mumbai and Delhi are as follows. The other cities hardly have numbers while 1921 is left due to its releases problems.

Mumbai (40 Cinemas)

Kaalakandi - 623 admits

Mukkabaaz - 442 admits

Delhi (25 cinemas)

Kaalakandi - 469 admits

Mukkabaaz - 376 admits

TOTAL (65 cnemas)

Kaalakandi - 1,092 admits 

Mukkabaaz - 818 admits