MUMBAI: It was supposed to deliver instant hits; instead Zee's Thursday Premiere slot has picked up the dud of the season to be aired next week. The only bright spot and possibly, the best commercial option available to the producers and the channel alike, is that Main Madhuri Dixit Banana Chahti Hoon is being aired just three weeks after its theatrical release.
The Ram Gopal Varma production starring Antara Mali, which takes a close look at an ordinary up country's girl's dreams of stardom, failed to evoke any ripples at the box office, despite months of hype. MMDBCH's telecast during the week immediately after Diwali, is expected to bring in viewers at least due to the curiosity factor and should augur well for the channel, which has been starved of recent hits in the weeks preceding. 

While the initial phase of the Thursday Premiere boasted strong titles, the second phase went limp with films like . The third phase of acquisitions announced recently, includes titles like another Varma production Darna Mana Hai, the Shah Rukh Khan - Rani Mukherjee starrer Chalte Chalte, Hungama, Chori Chori, Armaan and Ek Aur Ek Gyaraah. However, the Chandan Arora directed MMDBCH was not part of the library just acquired. 
The first phase of the Thursday Premiere was dogged by a slugfest between producers, distributors and the channel, over the issue of a time gap between the film's theatrical release and its satellite telecast. Varma's Road too was aired by Zee soon after its release, but not as soon as MMDBCH is being shown. Reports indicate that Ab Tak Chappan could also be bagged for its satellite telecast rights by Zee shortly.