In a remarkable week for cinema, films led by strong female and non-star cast performances have been making waves at the box office. “Crew,” featuring the powerhouse trio of Kareena Kapoor, Tabu, and Kriti Sanon has taken the box office by storm, raking in nearly Rs 50 crore in just its first week. Meanwhile, Kunal Kemmu’s “Madgaon Express” has been on a steadier, yet significantly impactful run, crossing the Rs 20 crore mark within two weeks.
The stars from “Crew” have evidently captured the audience’s imagination, as the film’s total worldwide gross has reached a phenomenal Rs 87.28 crore. Thursday alone brought in Rs 4.70 crore globally, capping off a stunning first week. The movie has been a favorite in urban centers, propelling it to great heights, while it has also managed to hold its own in mass pockets. With no major competition this week, the film is expected to enjoy continued success over the upcoming weekend, as predicted by noted trade analyst Taran Adarsh on his social media handle.
Adarsh’s update highlighted the film’s weekly performance, emphasizing its strong showing in urban regions, with the weekday breakdown as follows: Friday Rs 10.28 crore, Saturday Rs 10.87 crore, Sunday Rs 11.45 crore, Monday Rs 4.52 crore, Tuesday Rs 4 crore, Wednesday Rs 3.30 crore, and Thursday Rs 3.12 crore, totaling an impressive first-week collection of Rs 47.54 crore for the India box office.
“Crew” also set a record on its opening day with the highest gross for any female-led film in the world, with a day one India net of Rs 10.28 crore and gross worldwide figures reaching Rs 20.07 crore. Directed by Rajesh A. Krishnan and produced from the joint collaboration of Balaji Telefilms and Anil Kapoor Film & Communications Network, “Crew” marks a historic achievement in the industry.
On the other side of the cinematic track, “Madgaon Express” has been demonstrating the enduring value of content-driven cinema. Directed by debutante Kunal Kemmu, the film shies away from having A-list stars but instead relies on the commendable acting talents of Divyendu Sharma, Pratik Gandhi, Avinash Tiwary, and Nora Fatehi, who together have won over audience sentiment. Despite its small budget and slow pace at the box office, the film has managed to pull in substantial numbers thanks to positive word of mouth and unanimous support from cinema-goers.
Delving into the financial aspects of the film’s journey, Adarsh pointed out that although the Rs 20 crore figure might not seem staggering, it represents significant progress for medium-budget films in the post-pandemic era. The second week’s daily collection showed steady traction: Friday Rs 1.03 crore, Saturday Rs 1.30 crore, Sunday Rs 1.57 crore, Monday Rs 71 lakhs, Tuesday Rs 65 lakhs, Wednesday Rs 62 lakhs, and Thursday Rs 60 lakhs, bringing the total to Rs 20.33 crore at the India box office. This positions “Madgaon Express” not just as a successful film but as a potential game-changer for the industry’s perspective on non-star cast movie releases.
As “Madgaon Express” embarks on its third week, it stands to gain an even larger audience. The upcoming Eid holiday season is expected to boost ticket sales substantially. The film promises an evocative ride through childhood dreams with its tagline “Bachpan ke sapne… lag gaye apne,” delivering laughter, adventure, and a dash of nostalgia. Under the banner of Excel Entertainment and produced by Ritesh Sidhwani and Farhan Akhtar, “Madgaon Express” invites audiences to partake in its cinematic offering, which is now available on big screens for all to enjoy.
In summary, with “Crew” dazzling city audiences and “Madgaon Express” charming its way through steady acclaim, it’s clear that diverse storytelling and strong performances are drawing crowds back into theaters. As the film industry navigates the post-pandemic landscape, these box office results signal a resounding vote of confidence in the enduring appeal of theatrical releases.
