Ok, here's the result...

1. Nasrani

Opened to substantial crowds, despite proper promotion. Less likely to sustain the initial due to really bad reviews. Ranjith's comeback as writer has proved horrible. Now, Ranjith is doing Mammootty exactly the same things that Shaji Kailas did to Lal.

2. Paradesi

Despite critical acclaim, opened to poor response. Even in cities, the cinemas were struggling to get packed. Mohanlal's performance is rated widely as one of the best in his career. Good word-of-mouth might pull this one ahead to comfortable position.

3. Chocolate

Just like I had implied, this comedy is clearly ahead of his competitors. Malayali's affinity to comedy and Shafi's name (I'm nt forgetting Pritvi & Roma) have helped the film to get the initial and moderate reviews have helped to sustain that. This one's the clear winner of the season.

4. Black Cat

This 'another very different Vinayan film' has turned out to be one of the usual Vinayan craps. Opened to poor response and poor reviews, this one's a loser.

5. Bhool Bhulaiyya

With a fantastic opening of abt 90% all over India, Priyan have once again cemented his position among the topmost directors in bollywood. Akki is said to be repeating his regular antics and brinngs the house down. Vidya's performance is widely acclaimed. Interestingly, Priyan didnt inject too many comic scenes in this story of a lifetime. He stuck to the original and got results.

6. Laaga Chunari Mein Daag

This Yash raj venture, showcasing their would-be family member, has opened to very poor response and mixed reviews. Rani & Konkona are said to be impressive, but not enogh to save the film from being a flop.

7. Malaikkottai

Average opening in kochi.

8. Mayakkannadi

Frankly, dont know. Rather, who cares?

The Ramzan game begins...

The off-season is off, and how!

Atleast 8 releases have touched the Kerala Silverscreen...Instead of adjusting the releases to get the max initial, the mollywood bosses have decided to have it a go, for a direct face/off. All major malayalam films of the season opens this friday. Heard nasrani wl be opening 4 noon only, seems like good news for off-beat paradesi. Shafi's Chocolate, if made well, can be the dark horse of the season. I cant understand vinayan's wit here, for he decided 2 open his black cat with the majors. Priyan's adaptation of the classic manichithrathazhu, bhool bhulaiyya and yash raj's rani mukherji show-off LCMG are the major major bollywood offerings. From the promos, it looks like that Priyan have degraded the film to the crass comedy genere to suit his audience. All remakes of the film were huge successes. Lets hope this one also do well. I dont have much hope on LCMD, for it looks like an off-beat film but then, looks can be deceptive.From kollywood, we have vishal's malaikkottai and cheran's mayakkannadi. Both film were just averages in Tn and it wil be miracle if they do anything better here.

The releases of the day are:

1. Nasrani

2. Paradesi

3. Chocolate

4. Black Cat

5. Bhool Bhulaiyya

6. Laaga Chunari Mein Daag

7. Malaikkottai

8. Mayakkannadi

Ok folks, now its time for us to sit back and watch, the Ramzan game is on...

Off season continues

None of malayalam films graced the kerala silverscreens till now during ramzan...bt there were some dubbed movies like munna starring prabhas, and hero (originally desamuduru) starring hot favourite allu arjun opens today... Munna was a flop in AP and so was here. Madhavan-Bhavana starrer Arya and Arjun's Marudhamalai also failed to make an impact. Priyan's remake of 'in harihar nagar', dhol came and went soon, the film being an above-average grosser all over India. Johny Gaddar also opens today. The film is a flop, despite good reviews and Kerala is unlikely to show any interest. The global blockbuster bourne ultimatum touches kerala silverscreens today...might make some impact as release is confined to cities, but not too much of impact, ofcourse!

Come next week, and it will be battle of sorts at the BO. Masala flick Nasrani faces off with off-beat Paradesi...No prizes for guessing which will open big, but the interesting thing will be to know which will make an impact in the long run...