It couldn’t have been a more star-studded weekend at the marquee. While Aamir Khan, joined by Kareena Kapoor Khan, returned to the big screen after four years with 'Laal Singh Chaddha', Akshay Kumar presented a family entertainer in 'Raksha Bandhan'. In theory, it’s exactly the kind of weekend that would see audiences flocking to theatres. But the box-office figures tell a different story. Khan’s desi adaptation of 'Forrest Gump' (1994) earned Rs 11.5 crore on its opening day, while 'Raksha Bandhan' was a few steps behind at Rs 8 crore.   

The films’ underwhelming opening comes as another blow to Bollywood that hasn’t witnessed a hit since Kartik Aaryan’s May release, 'Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2'. Trade analyst Taran Adarsh had his hopes pinned on 'Laal Singh Chaddha'. He says, “Akshay has four releases every year, but when an actor like Aamir Khan — who is returning after four years — delivers such shocking numbers, it sends shockwaves within the industry. [At such a time], he should have made a mid-budget film like 'Taare Zameen Par' [2007]. 'Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2', which opened on a non-holiday, holds the spot of highest opening [this year] with R14 crore. We have [an extended weekend], let’s see whether these films [pick up pace].”