Bell Bottom opened with 15-20% occupancy (this is 15-20% of full theatre occupancy and not the occupancy allowed). On average there were audience counts in the 40-50 range while some shows did see 100 plus but then on the other side there were audience counts in single digits. If we go back the occupancy is not much lower than a film like Toilet Ek Prem Katha but that was 3000 screens and here its 900 screens with the half occupancy rule being even more detrimental as far as collections go.

The plus is that there is movement on the day especially from 12pm although limited night shows in Delhi will slow that movement later on. Its not like the opening in November and December where audiences were not just there in current. The film is going to move well on day as compared to its advance. Delhi NCR is very important for the film as that is where the best collections and the release is pretty good due to most cinemas being open. Hyderabad had a so so opening but may also have decent collections in the evening as full occupancy is allowed there.

The opening day number will reflect the release and many will see it as low as the industry had expectations which were inflated as usual without actually knowing the ground realities in the exhibition sector at the present time.  At the end of the day the business should be seen in perspective of what potential there is out there to do business and where the release is decent like Delhi NCR the numbers should also be better  Overall Bell Bottom is managing to find some audience and its just about where it goes from here. The situation at present is worse than at the time of Roohi and Mumbai Saga release but hopefully this will improve when Maharashtra opens and we see a flow of releases. 

The box office has basically box office at present has gone 20 years back and it becomes about the run as the potential to collect in a day is just 15-20% of what it would have been in a normal case especially over the initial period. The best release for the film has come in Delhi / UP with 225 screens but that is still 35% of normal and on 50% occupancy with limited night shows in Delhi city. Hyderabad has 100% occupancy but the Nizam / Andhra release is around 100 screens which is limited and on top Marathwada missing. Gujarat has some of its best collecting theatres shut but Ahmedabad and Surat seem to be having healthy collections. Its a start for the film and hopefully the weekend will see better collections.