Amidst the seasonal festivities and heightened expectations, the latest box office showdown saw Ajay Devgn’s eagerly-awaited sports drama “Maidaan” go head-to-head with the star-studded action offering, “Bade Miyan Chote Miyan,” led by the dynamic duo of Akshay Kumar and Tiger Shroff. Released on the blissful occasion of Eid, both cinematic contenders entered this high-stakes race on Thursday, April 11, vying for the favor of audiences and hoping to capitalize on the holiday bonanza.
However, contrary to the buoyant spirit of the festival, “Maidaan,” a film that boasts the magnetic presence of Ajay Devgn and spins the inspirational yarn of Syed Abdul Rahim—a name enshrined in Indian football folklore—stumbled out of the gates with a rather subdued box office performance. Despite cogent storytelling and the lure of Devgn’s star-power, “Maidaan’s” day 1 earnings did not soar as expected.
Renowned trade analyst Taran Adarsh, who is often the harbinger of box office fortunes, took to social media, expressing his astonishment at the film’s opening figure. According to his tweet, “Maidaan” initiated its box office journey with a modest Rs 7.25 crore domestically, a tally that evidently fell short of industry projections, especially given the potential audience swell afforded by the Eid holiday.
Adarsh’s analysis painted a clear picture: “In spite of the big holiday [#Eid], #Maidaan opens to shockingly low numbers… Biz at urban centres in particular should’ve multiplied post-noon onwards, but, despite merits and appreciation, the Day 1 biz is dismal, way below the mark… Wed previews + Thu ₹ 7.25 cr. #India biz. #Boxoffice.”
The revered critic underscored the film’s admirable critical reception, pointing out that “glorious word of mouth” was doing the rounds, yet this was a charm that needed to translate into actual audience turnout. He preempted a need for a weekend miracle for “Maidaan” to alter its box office trajectory and bounce back.
As to the film itself, “Maidaan” is not your run-of-the-mill sports biopic. Directed by Amit Ravindernath Sharma and brought to life by a collaboration between Zee Studios and Boney Kapoor, the narrative pays a heartfelt tribute to the golden era of Indian football through the life of coach Syed Abdul Rahim, who cherished a vision of popularizing the sport across India’s every street and alley.
Speaking to Mid-day, Director Sharma elaborated on his creative impulse, “I’ve made the film as a tribute to the players. Syed Rahim’s dream was to see football being played in every gully of the country. Can’t we find 11 players in a population of 140 crore? In the 1960 Olympics, a burly man praised Balaram’s game and asked him for his jersey. That man was the late Muhammad Ali.”
The film’s tapestry is enriched by performances from Priyamani, Gajraj Rao, and Rudranil Ghosh, with artistic dimensions rendered by Saiwyn Quadras’ screenplay, Ritesh Shah’s dialogues, AR Rahman’s melodic mastery, and Manoj Muntashir Shukla’s poignant lyrics.
As “Maidaan” continues its cinematic match beyond the opening whistle, the ultimate verdict will unfold in the days to come, possibly reshaping the initial impressions established at the box office. Will the amalgam of historical resonance, Devgn’s screen gravitas, and a sonorous AR Rahman score prove strong enough to rally a comeback? Only time and ticket sales will render the final score for this sports cinema spectacle.
