MUMBAI: Somehow, the makers of sequels, prequels kind of films seem be doing so without conviction and, mainly paying no heed to content. Unlike most others, Naam Shabana did all except naming the film Baby 2 or some such to promote and market the film. All possible connections were made to identify it with the earlier film, Baby, otherwise.

It is supposed to be a prequel telling the story of how Tapsee Pannu happened to become a spy!

Akshay Kumar, the force behind the production house of Naam Shabana, even made an unnecessary and forced appearance in the film. His presence in the film was poorly scripted and no efforts made to justify it. In fact, he ended up trivializing the character created for the film’s protagonist, Tapsee Pannu.

Akshay Kumar’s presence was probably fitted in to carry forward the brand equity of Baby and to also make viewers think they were not short changed.

Ploys don’t draw the audience which also happened with Naam Shabana as the opening response remained tepid. The film took its patron for granted with its content as well which limited its growth over the weekend.

*Having opened at about four crore on Friday, Naam Shabana collected approx. Rs 14 crore for its opening weekend. The going will be tough during rest of the week for the film.

*Phillauri remained below average with its best figures coming from North compared to other circuits but not good enough on the whole. The film collected Rs 20.6 crore in its first week as it went on dropping each day of the week.

*Anaarkali Of Aarah could not convert the appreciation it received from certain pockets into box office gains. The film fell short of one crore mark in its first week.

*Badrinath Ki Dulhania continued to make the most of poor oppositions as well as its status as the only entertainer available. The film added an impressive Rs 10.65 crore in its third week to take its three week tally to Rs 109.85 crore.