Mumbai: Sambahadur, the much-anticipated biopic of Sam Manekshaw, India’s first Field Marshal, has hit theaters amidst a buzz of excitement and a tinge of worry. While the film’s trailer and Vicky Kaushal’s stellar performance have garnered praise, trade experts are divided on its box office prospects.
Early estimates suggest an opening day collection of Rs. 6-8 crores nett, a decent start but significantly lower than Ranbir Kapoor’s Animal, releasing simultaneously. Animal, with its larger-than-life visuals and action sequences, is predicted to rake in Rs. 60 crores on Saturday, thus crossing the Rs. 100 crore mark in India.
Animal earned ₹63.8 crore [Hindi: ₹54.75 crore; Telugu: ₹8.55 crore; Tamil: ₹4o lakh; Kannada: ₹9 lakh; Malayalam: 1 lakh] on Friday. Animal is likely to earn ₹60.92 crore nett in India on its second day for all languages. As per the given data, the film will earn ₹ 124.72 crore on Saturday.
Despite the initial numbers game, Sambahadur holds its own strengths. The patriotic theme, coupled with Kaushal’s powerful portrayal, could resonate with audiences, especially in multiplexes and urban centers. Moreover, positive word-of-mouth could lead to sustained growth over the weekend. Sam Bahadur had an overall occupancy of 29.18% for its Hindi version on Friday.
However, the film faces stiff competition from Animal, not just on day one but also throughout December. Animal’s wider appeal and masala-packed content might overshadow Sambahadur’s niche historical narrative. Additionally, the holiday season might see audiences prioritizing light-hearted entertainers over war dramas.
Predicting Sambahadur’s box office fate is tricky. While it might not be a mega-opener, its content and Kaushal’s brilliance could attract a loyal audience. If it manages to weave magic through positive reviews and strong word-of-mouth, Sambahadur could become a surprise hit, proving that substance can trump spectacle sometimes.
Ultimately, Sambahadur’s box office journey will be a fascinating case study of how a film with a patriotic theme and a nuanced performance navigates the competitive holiday season landscape. Only time will tell if it carves its own niche or gets swept away by the Animal tide.
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