This Friday’s big release is Raid. Ajay Devgn is returning to the big screen after delivering a Blockbuster in Golmaal Again last Diwali. This one is a different film though in terms of genre, stage and setting. While Golmaal Again was an out and out commercial masala entertainer, Raid is in a realistic zone though being presented as an entertainer nonetheless. However, it would be unfair to expect a massive opening for the film because first and foremost the release would be controlled and secondly the content is the kind that should work primarily on the basis of word of mouth. Also it can’t be expected to see all segments of audience forming beelines in front of theatres on the very first day.
By the look of things, Raid should open in the range of Rs. 8-10 crore on Friday. That would be actually decent for the film which has Rajkumar Gupta at the helm of affairs. The filmmaker has his own style of storytelling and though Raid comes across as his most commercial one till date, it would be interesting to see the kind of mass ingredients that have been incorporated by him in the narrative.
What also goes in favour of the film is the fact that audiences have started returning to theatres, as seen with back to back successes of Tiger Zinda Hai, Padmaavat, Pad Man and Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety. Also, except for the last film in this list, there is no other competition for Raid due to which it has the ground open for it to perform. All that is needed is the film to indeed turn out to be a true dramatic encounter for the audience and that should set the ball rolling for it over the weekend and then days to come.
