‘Damal’: How did it do initially?
Raihan Rafi directorial "Damal" created a lot of hype on social media, ever since the film was announced. However, there was an unseen pressure for the entire team as previously released films "Poran" and "Hawa" did incredibly well in cinema halls, and are still running successfully as of late.
"Damal" hit the theatres on October 28, in 22 halls across the country. The first day reception in the capital was quite positive, with some houseful shows in the multiplexes. Yet, the single-screen halls outside Dhaka had mixed responses.
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According to Mesbah Uddin Ahmed, senior manager (media and marketing) of Star Cineplex, first day collections of "Damal" were very good.
"We are running total of 17 shows in all the branches of STAR Cineplex," says Mesbah. "A combination of advance booking and immediate sales meant that the shows were houseful on the first day." Upon asking about their expectations compared to "Poran" and "Hawa", Mesbah told The Daily Star that they have high hopes for "Damal" as well. Four Bangladeshi films -- "Damal", "Poran", "Hawa", and "Operation Sundarban" -- are all having shows simultaneously at Cineplex.
Razu, manager at Jamuna Future Park's Blockbuster Cinemas, informed that they were very happy with the reception of the film. "It certainly has potential," he shares. "Morning shows are slow, but the attendance is still satisfactory. However, the afternoon and evening shows were houseful." Blockbuster is running the movie at seven of their halls, simultaneously.
On the other hand, a representative from Madhumita cinema hall, in exchange of anonymity, shared that "Damal" is doing below-average business in their premises. "We sold 35% of our tickets on the first day," shared the representative. "This week, we plan to have 4 shows every day. "On the first-day-first-show, the cast of 'Damal' came to watch the show, and reserved most of the tickets." The single-screen hall did good business with "Poran" and "Hawa". "Operation Sundarban" also did well there.
Faisal, an attendant at Grand Sylhet Cineplex Sylhet, informed that their sales were below 50%. Samina Islam Neela, Chairman, Root Cine Club Sirajganj, shared that they could also sell around half of their tickets.
Single-screen Hall Sugandha Cinema Chattogram, which can accommodate 216 people, had only 3 viewers in their morning show. However, on the afternoon the audience number rose to 75. Safi Hossain, managing director of the hall, told that it did not match their expectations.
Shaikuzzaman, the director of Modhuban Cineplex, Bogura said that they have 336 seats at their single-screen hall. "The sales on the first day was above 50% capacity. We also sold some advance tickets for our evening shows." He informs that within a week, they will begin online booking as well. According to him, the film will do better as time progresses, since it clearly has the means.
Cinemascope Narayanganj's box office manager Abdur Rabbi notified that their hall was houseful in the afternoon and matinee shows. He also shares that 80% of the tickets were sold in advance. The theatre has 35 seats.
Even though the audience reactions vary according to geographical locations, it is hard to judge a film only by its first-day figures. With a strong cast, skilled cinematography and smart marketing by Raihan Rafi and co., "Damal" might eventually run rampant at all cinema halls across the country and beyond.
"Damal", based on the Liberation War of Bangladesh, and the legendary Shadhin Bangla Football Team. Conceptualised by Faridur Reza Sagar, it stars Sariful Razz, Bidya Sinha Mim, Intekhab Dinar, Siam Ahmed, Shahnaz Sumi and Syed Nazmus Sakib among others.
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