Box Office: ‘Pathaan’ clocks up big numbers in pre-release tickets
Shah Rukh Khan is back on the silver screen! And for reasons good or bad his upcoming Siddharth Anand film with Deepika Padukone has got fans excited. No wonder the advance online bookings of ‘Pathaan’ has already earned the makers Rs 2 crore on the first day alone.
Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone’s ‘Pathaan’ has been in the news ever since the first look dropped. The movie has managed to make headlines every single day for one reason or the other. In fact, there was so much furore over the song ‘Besharam Rang’ in India that when the makers released the official trailer reviewers were scouting for reasons that may excite hatemongers to go on a virtual rampage against Bollywood Badshah and his leading lady. Looks like all that controversy has not dampened the excitement amongst SRK fans. Because early box office reports suggest that the movie’s advance bookings in India has already crossed Rs 2 crore. With over a week to go, we may just see a new record for advance bookings in Bollywood. Khan returns to the screens after almost three years and the numbers only reflect on the star’s never-dying fandom. Trade experts are anticipating a collection of at least Rs 35+ crore on day one.
SRK’s returns to the silver screen after a short hiatus on 25th January. The Indian Republic Day is a marque day for Bollywood stars to come up with their big releases. In fact, Shah Rukh – Mahira Khan starrer ‘Raees’ (2017) also released on this day. Other Hindi film stars who have tasted success during the republic week release are Aamir Khan’s ‘Rang De Basanti’ (2006), Akshay Kumar’s spy thriller ‘Baby’ (2015) and Hrithik Roshan-Priyanka Chopra’s ‘Agneepath’ (2012). Interestingly, January is not considered one of the best months for movie releases in B-town. However, the month serves as a perfect opportunity to serve a patriotic themed movie and ‘Pathaan’ definitely falls in that space.
Interestingly, the other box office news around ‘Pathaan’ is the ticket pricing. As per reports the movie ticket ranges from Rs 55 to Rs 2000. Looks like the makers have a strategy to target to a wider audience especially during a time when recession and rising living costs is holding people back from going to the movie halls. Also, there has been buzz about how SRK has charged Yash Raj all but Rs 35- 40 crore for the movie and has a bigger profit sharing deal. The movie was made at a whopping budget of Rs 250 crore. As per reports the ‘Pathaan’ team is confident of beating SRK’s own opening collection record of Rs 36 crore of ‘Happy New Year’ (2014).
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Considering Khan’s overseas popularity especially in UAE, Germany and Australia and the ensemble cast of Deepika and John Abraham team ‘Pathaan’ is certainly off to a great start.
Watch this space for more box office updates on ‘Pathaan’ and other movie releases.
By Rashma Shetty
