While there was much commentary in the media and on the internet about the Eid-ul-Azha releases potentially eating into each other’s business in Pakistan and internationally, the superb box office run of the films specifically that of Jawani Phir Nahi Ani 2 and Parwaaz Hai Junoon, has proven otherwise. The two films are now running in their sixth week, having completed a five week successful run in theaters worldwide. Coming to their box-office tallies, in UK, JPNA2 collected £4,000 during its fifth week to bring its grand total to healthy £386,000 (6.2 cr), whereas Parwaaz Hai Junoon earned £1,560 from the market for a running total of £111,000 (1.8 cr). Together with the third release Load Wedding, the Eid-ul-Azha trio has collectively earned over £600,000 in UK, which speaks volumes about audience acceptability of the Pakistani cinema brand in that key territory. In UAE, the JPNA2 and PHJ have completed their run, earning solid amounts of Dh 1,437,000 (4.8 cr) and Dh 602,000 (2 cr) respectively.
Across the Atlantic in North America, the competition between the two leading Eid films was more intense, with both the films collecting in roughly the same range. In its fifth week, JPNA2 has wrapped its theatrical run collecting $384,000 (4.72 cr) whereas PHJ has capped its earnings at $338,000 (4.2 cr). All in all, these are excellent figures and a green signal from the audience to the quality of content presented by Pakistani film makers. With higher budgets and even better production quality, it can be easily surmised that Pakistani cinema has much to profit from the lucrative overseas market which is ready to accept its brand of films.
