As trade analyst N.P.Yadav points out,“Karan Johar’s Dostana took a good opening of 80-90 percent in multiplexes, but in single-screens the film hasn’t fared all that well garnering a mediocre 60-70 per cent opening collections.” Reiterating this b.o. verdict, trade pundit Taran Adarsh says, “Dostana opened well at the multiplexes but in small towns and rural areas the film was not accepted well. In hindsight, the film is a trendsetter in terms of content, and in terms of business it has a tremendous youth appeal. The 16 - 25 age-group has taken to the film in a big way. It just may emerge one of the winners of the year.”

In comparison, Shree Ashtavinayak Cine Vision’s Golmaal Returns, which was this year’s Diwali release (October 29) had taken a bumper opening and is still running to capacity houses. Likewise Madhur Bhandarkar’s Fashion is still doing steady business.