As Dunki graces the silver screen, the theatres are buzzing with anticipation, marking Shah Rukh Khan's third appearance on screen this year. Directed by Rajkumar Hirani, known for letting content speak for itself, Dunki faces a unique challenge as it shares the release window with Salaar: CeaseFire.
Unlike the grand promotional blitz seen with films like Pathaan and Jawan, Dunki's strategy leans towards a more subdued approach. The advance booking for the film, as of 7 pm on Wednesday, has seen the sale of 4.49 lakh tickets, accumulating a gross amount of Rs 12.57 crore for its opening day business, according to trade reports from sacnilk.
While these figures fall short of the pre-ticket sales juggernauts like Pathaan and Jawan, which created havoc at the box office, Dunki's advance booking is expected to reach around Rs 15 crore gross by the end of its run. This figure, while not reaching the heights of its predecessors, is deemed decent for the film's genre.
In comparison, Pathaan grossed an impressive Rs 30.01 crore, and Jawan set a remarkable record with Rs 40.75 crore in advance ticket sales. Dunki, combined with spot-bookings, is projected to open between Rs 30-32 crore nett in India. This is a promising start, considering the competitive landscape and the film's distinct genre.
The real test awaits on Saturday when both Dunki and Salaar: CeaseFire have received reviews and word-of-mouth spreads on social media. The audience's response post-word-of-mouth publicity will be crucial in determining Dunki's trajectory at the box office. As the weekend unfolds, all eyes are on the dynamic duo of Dunki and Salaar, each vying for a significant slice of the cinematic pie.
