KALKI 2898 AD’s SUCCESS ASTONISHES THE INDUSTRY; NEW RELEASES ALSO EXPECT TO PERFORM WELL
Last week’s big release Kalki 2898 AD has brought respite to the exhibitors, especially the single screen cinema owners who were feeling the heat. Many expected the film to open at Rs. 22-23 crores on Thursday, June 27. However, it had an opening of Rs. 21.25 crores. The films that are released on Thursday often drop on Friday. But this film, on its second day, had a small jump and earned Rs. 22 crores. On Saturday, it accumulated Rs. 25.50 crores despite the World Cup Match. And then on Sunday, it jumped to Rs. 38.50 crores. The Monday and Tuesday collections were Rs. 16 crores and Rs. 13 crores respectively.
Kalki 2898 AD’s first week collections are expected to be between Rs. 155-160 crores. It can hold strongly in the second week as well and its target should be to cross the Rs. 275 crore collections of RRR. Crossing the Rs. 300 crore mark seems impossible but in today’s times, anything can happen. What would act as an obstacle in its collections is the release of Hindustani 2 and Sarfira in its third week, that is, on July 12.
There was going to be a major Hindi film, Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha, up for release on July 5. But the Ajay Devgn-Tabu starrer was postponed after it became clear that it would struggle to get sufficient shows due to the Kalki 2898 AD wave.
The major Hindi release this week is Kill. It stars Lakshya in his debut role and is produced by Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions and Guneet Monga’s Sikhya Entertainment. It was screened last year at the Toronto International Film Festival where it got an amazing reaction. Lionsgate, in fact, picked up Kill for distribution in North America and is giving it a wide release.
Kill is an extremely violent film and hence, it is only for the niche audience. But since it’s an action flick, it might surprise in the mass centres. The announcement that John Wick‘s director would produce Kill’s Hollywood remake has also made a section of the moviegoers excited for it. It’ll open around Rs. 1 crore and has the potential to grow.
Despicable Me 4, meanwhile, is a Hollywood animated film and a part of a successful franchise. From the ticket sales, it seems like it’ll open better than Kill. After Kung Fu Panda 4 and Inside Out 2, this can be another successful animated film of 2024 that has the potential to cross the Rs. 20 crore mark at least, if not the Rs. 25 crore mark.