Secret Soldier has opened to mixed critical reactions, but the makers appear encouraged by the response coming directly from audiences.
According to the film’s distribution team, feedback from several centres has been positive, and the expectation is that the film could gradually pick up through word of mouth. The team is also working to retain shows at multiplexes and key locations through the weekend.
What is helping the film at this stage is the nature of the audience response. Reactions on social media and from premiere shows have highlighted Nihal Kodhaty’s performance, the interval portions, visuals, emotional thread and climax twist.
For a film without major star power or the backing of a large production house, the challenge was always going to be sustaining interest beyond the opening. The makers now seem to be shifting their focus from pre-release promotion to audience reactions, theatre response and weekend performance.
The distributor also believes the film has comparatively better word of mouth among the titles released this week and expects it to improve gradually if the positive audience response continues.
That makes the next two days important.
Instead of relying on exaggerated claims, the team is now trying to share audience reactions in the public domain and retain shows at multiplex locations where the film continues to have an opportunity to attract viewers.
For Secret Soldier, the key question now is whether the audience response can translate into stronger weekend footfalls.
The makers are hoping that it can.
