Harry met Sejal post Goods and Services Tax implementation and the audiences welcomed them with cheer.
The Goods and Services Tax (GST) came into effect on July 1 and Shah Rukh Khan-Anushka Sharma-starrer Jab Harry Met Sejal was the first big release after the new tax system dawned on India.
Slotted for 30 shows in Patna, including single screens and multiplexes, the movie on its first day collected Rs 27.5 lakh around 1.5 lakh more compared to Salman Khan's Tubelight, which had earned Rs 25.98 lakhs on its first day on June 23.
Suman Kumar Sinha, the chairman-cum-managing director of Regent Theatre Pvt Ltd, said: "Post GST, prices of tickets have come down by Rs 20 to Rs 30. This is good for the audience but not for us. However, Harry-Sejal have ensured our seats are full. As long as Bollywood gives us good films, the returns will be good with or without GST." Before July 1, viewers had to pay 50 per cent tax that included entertainment, service and luxury taxes. After GST, the minimum tax that has to be paid is 18 per cent and the upper limit is 28 per cent.
"A ticket costing Rs 100 will charge 18 per cent tax and a ticket above Rs 100 will cost 28 per cent GST. It is a huge relief for movie-goers," Sinha said.
Being the first day, the movie got a good response but trade analysts feel that word of mouth could dampen the chances of the film in the coming days. However, they also believe that till the time Akshay Kumar's Toilet-Ek Prem Katha releases on August 11, Harry and Sejal will rule the box office. Market observers feel that King Khan must have gauged that the film isn't working well in tier two cities.
A few hours after theatres opened, around 2.30pm Khan tweeted: "Don't slow down Patna... Keep the celebrations going with Harry & Sejal!" He posted a few photographs of Patna where youths could be seen cutting a cake.
Jai Mangal Deo, the president of Cine Society Patna, said gone are the days when Shah Rukh Khan used to rule the hearts of millions of Indians.
"Viewers have become very choosy. They want films like Piku, Pink and Bahubali. Making a romance-drama used to be a hit formula but not anymore. Film-making has changed over the past few years and typical Shah Rukh Khan films has reached a saturation point," he said. Fans, however, remained loyal and braved the morning rain to reach theatres. "You don't get to see an SRK film every Friday. He is not Nawazuddin Siddiqui or Akshay Kumar who has at least 4-5 films lined up in a year. When it's an Imtiaz Ali-SRK combo pack, you can't afford to miss it. The GST has made tickets cheaper and the climate is pleasant. So go out and watch it in a theatre near you," said Bihta resident Kamlesh Kumar.
