Mumbai: With SRK’s Dunki and the Hindi version of Prabhas’ Salaar registering an average opening at Rs 28 cr and Rs 15 cr respectively, the trade suggests that the mixed audience response will limit their run.
The highly anticipated clash between Shah Rukh Khan's Dunki and Prabhas’ Salaar: Part 1—Ceasefire did not unfold as smoothly as expected.
Despite fan anticipation, negotiations over screen division, and the clash of two big releases, both films faced a common challenge—a mixed audience response.
Shah Rukh Khan's Dunki, his final release of 2023 following two blockbusters, secured a Rs 28 crore opening.
While the average opening isn't alarming for a non-holiday release, concerns arise as Rajkumar Hirani's directorial venture failed to impress audiences as much as his previous works did.
Rajasthan-based exhibitor comments, “The audience was expecting a much better film from Shah Rukh and Rajkumar Hirani. It has fallen short of their expectations.”
A similar sentiment echoes with the Hindi dubbed version of Prashanth Neel’s action film, which earned approximately Rs 15 crore on its opening day.
Exhibitor notes that the audience criticizes the dark color grading of the Prabhas and Prithviraj Sukumaran-starrer.
He adds, “Both the films have got a mixed response. We had thought that they would run until Fighter arrives in cinemas, but a long run doesn’t seem possible now.”
However, Salaar's team can take solace as the film, originally released in Telugu, enjoys a robust run in the southern territories.
Salaar takes the south by storm
Prabhas and director Prashanth Neel have reason to celebrate, as their action film, initially released in Telugu, is estimated to have amassed around Rs 100 crore in the southern territories on its opening day.
With this achievement, Salaar becomes Prabhas’ most successful post-pandemic opener, following the disappointments of Adipurush and Radhe Shyam.
