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Debjit Mukherjee: Despite an estimated ₹50 crore opening and sold out shows across the country, some are still sceptical of how Pathaan is being received by the audience. Shah Rukh Khan’s spy-action film also stars Deepika Padukone and John Abraham and heard calls for boycott and saw a big controversy about one of its songs before the release. However, looks like nothing has really affected the footfall at theatres on opening day.
But even with stellar box office reports coming in, tweets showing empty cinema halls have surfaced. “Is #Pathaan flop or hit? Got this clip from someone,” read a tweet that showed a largely empty theatre. However, Pathaan was not playing on the big screen. In reply to him, many shared videos of people leaving their seats and dancing in theatres to Jhoome Jo Pathaan or Besharam Rang during the show.
A Twitter user also compiled a string of videos that showed people dancing and hooting in theatres. “Compare the reaction of audience in theatres on Pathan with that of a recent state-promoted film; where the latter not only led to vile hate speech in the theatres but was also later used to provoke violence,” read a tweet attached to a video. “Audience started dancing on #JhoomeJoPathaan song in cinema hall. People celebrating @iamsrk movie after four years,” wrote another. “Saw some tweets claiming theaters are empty and no one is watching #Pathaan,” read another tweet with a similar video.
