The audiences’ verdict is out. The box office seems to favour Shah Rukh Khan’s ‘Om Shanti Om‘ in comparison to Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s much-touted magnum opus ‘Saawariya’.

While King Khan’s film registered 90 percent occupancy across the country on its Diwali release, Bhansali’s love story managed 60 percent.

‘Om Shanti Om’ is director Farah Khan’s tribute to the colourful and vibrant cinemas of the 70s and it has Shah Rukh is a new avatar, going shirtless and displaying his six-pack abs, while Bhansali’s film is a mystical love story set in Shimla and introduces new faces.

The audience response can be gauged from Anirban Basu, a movie buff who saw both the films. ”Om Shanti Om’ is much more entertaining than ‘Saawariya’. SRK’s film has a perfect blend of comedy and drama while Bhansali’s film is stale and boring. It is extremely slow. Apart from the lavish sets there is nothing in the film to hold the audiences’ interest.’

The difference of how well both the films would do in the coming days is also evident from the advance bookings.

With both the films in tough competition, the weekend will prove boom time for the multiplexes across the country.

Popularity: 12%