For Akshay Kumar, 'Chandni Chowk To China' was now an important release since he had tokeep himself well into the contention for being a tough competitor of Shah RukhKhan. The task was cut out. His film had to take a better opening than 'RabNe...' and also at least match, if not cross, the opening of 'Singh Is Kinng'.Seemed quite possible since Warner Bros. have promised a mega release for thefilm (in fact the biggest ever) and hence a massive opening is pretty much onthe card.

However, thesituation has changed post the release of 'Ghajini'. Suddenly a monster thatgoes by the name of Aamir Khan has emerged and an opening which is expected tobe more than Rs. 60 crores at the least is very much in the offering (exactcollections would be released soon). Now Akshay and his 'Chandni Chowk ToChina' have a much bigger challenge in hands i.e. to at least match the openingof 'Ghajini' or at least come close to it.

Frankly, lookingat the film's release being just a fortnight away, this seems difficult sincethe people behind the film have to up the ante when it comes to the marketingof 'Chandni Chowk To China'. While conventional way of promoting the film hasbeen pretty much happening, the uniqueness that Aamir Khan brought with his'Ghajini' is yet to be experienced. Add to that the entire pressure of bringinga far greater number of audience into theaters within a month when majority ofthem have shelled out a substantial amount of their earnings into two films - 'RabNe Bana Di Jodi' and 'Ghajini' - and it can be clearly said that Akshay andcompany have a task in hand.