Shah Rukh Khan’s latest cinematic venture, “Dunki,” directed by Rajkumar Hirani, has been making waves at the Indian box office, with its performance evolving positively as the weekend unfolds. The film, which debuted with 29.20 crores on its first day, was on the cusp of breaching the 30 crore mark. Impressively, it sustained its momentum the following day, adding another 21 crores to its tally.
Despite receiving a mixed bag of reviews from critics, the movie’s real strength lies in the positive word-of-mouth circulating among the audience. This grassroots support has begun to create ripples, steering the film away from the conventional fate of a Friday release. Rather than facing a decline on the second day, Dunki seems poised to gain traction throughout its theatrical run.
The latest trade reports indicate that Dunki has garnered a substantial 10.50 crores on Saturday, marking a commendable 15% increase over the previous day’s figures. Over-the-counter ticket sales are expected to make a significant contribution to the overall weekend box office performance.
Looking ahead, there’s a sense of optimism surrounding Dunki’s Sunday prospects, with projections suggesting a potential earning of 25 to 30 crores. If these estimates materialize, the film could establish a robust trend, and a collection of 30 crores or more on Sunday appears likely, especially considering the high occupancies expected at night shows due to the Christmas holiday on Monday.
Interestingly, the release of Prabhas’ “Salaar” on the same weekend has not significantly dampened Dunki’s fortunes. Salaar, while making a strong start, particularly with its Hindi dubbed version, caters to a different audience segment. Dunki is perceived as an urban-centric film with a stronghold in multiplexes, while Salaar aims for maximum numbers from single-screen displays. This divergence in target audiences allows both films to coexist harmoniously.
Dunki’s journey at the box office reflects the power of audience reception over critical reviews. With positive word-of-mouth fueling its momentum and a promising Sunday on the horizon, Shah Rukh Khan’s urban tale seems set to leave a lasting mark in the current cinematic landscape.
