Despite the overwhelming success of record-breaking Chennai Express, local films like Ishq Khuda and Josh have fared moderately well. While audiences at the multiplexes had an obvious preference for the Shahrukh Khan blockbuster, single screen cinemas saw local films being appreciated. Ishq Khuda failed to deliver at multiplexes. However, the film has managed to succeed at single-screen cinemas among the masses. According to box-office reports, Ishq Khuda has done business of Rs10.15 million in its first week. It is expected to gross a total of Rs20 million. Parveen Bilal’s independent film Josh released over nine screens only and did not manage to compete well with other contenders despite having received international acclaim. Josh remained 80% to 90% full throughout the week. The film grossed Rs1.6 million so far. The Eid weekend was far more promising for Pashto cinema than Lollywood. The films released included Arshad Khan’s Loafer, Muzafar Khan’s Shart and the first HD film Zama Arman. Also shown were Sheikh Akram’s Qurbaani and Joni Malik’s Bangi Lalai, a Punjabi movie dubbed in Pashto. Out of all the releases, Loafer was the most successful securing over Rs6 million in its first week even though it was screened at only one cinema in Peshawar. While everyone thought that Zama Arman would fare well considering it was the first HD Pashto film, it wasn’t so successful. Huge amounts of money have been spent on its publicity but the outcome was not satisfactory. Akram’s Qurbaani was declared a flop. The total box office return of films released on Eid is Rs100 million.
