Despite favourable reviews, Emraan Hashmi’s Raja Natwarlal has failed to excite the moviegoers — and the box office.
In two days, the crime-comedy took in just Rs110 million (Dh6.6 million).
Reportedly made on a budget of Rs350 million, the UTV Motion Pictures’ project hit about 2,000 screens in the country on Friday.
“It has earned Rs110 million in the first two days. It is quite low. It should cross Rs200 million in a week,” Rajesh Thadani of Multimedia Combines said.
Directed by Kunal Deshmukh, Hashmi’s chemistry with his co-star, Pakistani actress Humaima Malick has been criticised too.
“The drama in #Raja Natwarlal is entertaining, but the romance and music are weak. Film doesn’t appeal,” trade analyst Komal Nahta tweeted.
Another reviewer wrote: “In Raja Natwarlal, a con caper with a lot going for it at least on paper, Emraan has little to do that could catapult him to the next level of his career.”
Hashmi was joined by seasoned actor Paresh Rawal and talented Kay Kay Menon in the cast, but they couldn’t do enough to elevate the film.
Identity Card — Ek lifeline by Rahat Kazmi and Trip to Bhangarh directed by Jitendra Pawar also released on Friday, but the two films collected “negligible figures” at the ticket window, says Thadani.
