After Mission China, Kanchanjangha and Ratnakar, the next Assamese film to emerge champion at the box office is now Local Utpaat.
Directed by Kenny Basumatary of Local Kung Fu fame, the comedy film has earned more than both the Ranveer Singh-starrer Jayeshbhai Jordaar as well as Dr Strange in its first week. Distributor Sukanta Paul of Mitali Films confirmed this, saying: “100% it has done the best sales out of all three films. Public demand was so high that shows were increased at almost all cinema halls.”
Local Utpaat now enters its second week in a majority of theatres. The film has an extremely high public rating of 97% on bookmyshow.com. Several people have shared that they have already seen it more than once. Audiences have also said that after two years, they have finally had a chance to laugh out loud for two hours continuously.
Speaking about the success of Local Utpaat, director Kenny Basumatary says: “I am truly grateful to the people of Assam for making our film a hit. We were confident it would do well, but the public response has been more than double our expectations.”
The film’s first week collections at the box office are estimated to be about Rs 40 lakh, out which approximately half goes to the theatres.
“The main thing about this is that I won’t have to ask anyone for money for my next film, and I can make it the way I want, without any interference,” Kenny added.
After tremendous demand, the filmmakers have decided to release Local Utpaat in Delhi, Noida, Mumbai, Kharghar, Bangalore and Kolkata on May 27 for one week.
“Obviously we cannot afford publicity in the metros,” said Kenny. “We are hoping the Assam associations and groups in those cities will help spread the word,” he added.
It looks like good days for Assamese cinema are here to stay. Another film making waves is Aamis-maker Bhaskar Hazarika’s next film, Emuthi Puthi. The family drama-comedy is slated to release on June 17.
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