In a surprising turn of events, Prashant Neel’s Salaar: Part 1 – Ceasefire, starring Prabhas, has emerged as a global box office juggernaut, already surpassing the Rs 400 crore mark within days of its release. Despite facing stiff competition from Rajkumar Hirani’s SRK film Dunki, Salaar seems poised to outperform Shah Rukh Khan’s Jawan, particularly in the crucial first Monday test.
Global Box Office Success:
Salaar has proven its mettle by crossing the Rs 400 crore milestone globally, and industry experts predict that it may soon breach the Rs 500 crore mark. The film’s success is noteworthy, especially considering the fierce competition it faces from other high-profile releases in the market.
Comparison with Jawan:
While Salaar initially fell short of replicating the box office success of Atlee Kumar’s Jawan during its first Saturday and Sunday, it has managed to surpass it as the highest-grossing opener of 2023. The film’s performance on its debut day recorded a domestic nett of Rs 93.45 crore, with a global gross of Rs 178.7 crore, signaling a promising start.
Monday Test Against Jawan:
As of 6 pm on December 25, Salaar has amassed a nett collection of Rs 31.84 crore in the domestic market, bringing its total collection in India to Rs 240.94 crore. The film’s Monday test against Jawan is gaining attention, especially as it is vying to outperform the Rs 32.92 crore nett collection of Jawan on its first Monday. Salaar’s success on Monday will be crucial in determining its sustained performance against the SRK-starrer for the rest of the week.
Occupancy Rates and Christmas Boost:
The overall occupancy in the Telugu market for Salaar on Monday is an impressive 59.16 percent, with morning shows recording 46.34 percent and the rate rising significantly to 71.97 percent during afternoon showings. Salaar appears to have benefited from the Christmas holiday, contributing to its stronger performance on Monday.
Advance Bookings and Future Projections:
The film is also experiencing decent advance bookings for Tuesday, having already earned Rs 2.97 crore, with over 1.6 lakh tickets sold nationwide. These early indications suggest that Salaar may continue to draw audiences in the coming days, contributing to its overall success.
Critical Reception:
Despite its box office triumph, Salaar has not been without its share of critiques. In her review of the movie, The Indian Express’ Shubhra Gupta pointed out, “Till the violence in Prabhas-Prithviraj-starrer is comic-book and ‘Games Of Thrones’-type stylized, you can find a way to rationalize it; the trouble ratchets up when it becomes more ‘real’.” This critique raises questions about the film’s balance between stylized action and realistic portrayals, an aspect that may influence its long-term reception.
Conclusion: In the face of tough competition and critical scrutiny, Salaar: Part 1 – Ceasefire has emerged as a significant player in the global box office arena. Surpassing the Rs 400 crore mark and gearing up for the Rs 500 crore milestone, the Prabhas-led action film is navigating challenges and is well-positioned to outshine Shah Rukh Khan’s Jawan in the first Monday test. As the week progresses, the industry eagerly awaits Salaar’s performance, curious to see if it can sustain its momentum and establish itself as a box office behemoth in the weeks to come.
