In a surprising turn of events, Shah Rukh Khan’s latest film “Dunki” has not matched the towering box office success of his previous hits, “Jawan” and “Pathaan”, both of which crossed the Rs 1,000 crore mark globally. The much-anticipated movie directed by Rajkumar Hirani made its debut on Thursday and earned a decent Rs 30 crore net domestically. However, compared to its predecessors, “Dunki” became the seventh biggest opener of the year, trailing behind “Jawan”, “Animal”, “Pathaan”, “Tiger 3”, “Gadar 2”, and “Adipurush”.
The contrast in figures is stark when juxtaposed with the mammoth Rs 75 crore opening day of “Jawan” while “Adipurush”, secured Rs 36 crore. Even with a lower turnout than expected, “Dunki” did manage to outshine other releases of the year such as “Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan” which opened at Rs 15.81 crore, and “Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar” at Rs 15.73 crore, amongst others.
Analyzing the occupancy statistics from the day of the release, “Dunki” showed a modest 29.94% across the board. Breaking this down regionally, the National Capital Region (NCR) showcased 1,412 shows with around 31% occupancy, while Mumbai’s 1,081 shows hovered around 29.75%. Despite these numbers, Shah Rukh Khan’s film enjoys the advantage of being the solo release on its opening Thursday but is bound to face fierce competition from Prashanth Neel’s “Salaar”, which premiered the following day in multiple languages and starring the dynamic duo of Prabhas and Prithviraj Sukumaran. The latter film is speculated to rake in over Rs 60 crore, significantly outpacing “Dunki”.
Reverting to Shah Rukh Khan’s other performances at the box office, “Dunki” has had a better opening than his 2018 film “Zero” which garnered Rs 19.35 crore on its opening day and accumulated merely Rs 90.28 crore during its theatrical run. This demonstrates a notable if not extravagant, improvement in the star’s cinematic pull with the audience.
For director Rajkumar Hirani, the financial outcomes are a notch below the triumphant figures of his last blockbuster “Sanju” released in 2018, which earned Rs 34.75 crore on its opening day and attained a staggering Rs 342.53 crore at the end of its journey in theaters. The disparity highlights the unpredictable nature of the film industry and consumer tastes despite a proven track record of success. “Dunki” also features acclaimed actors Taapsee Pannu and Vicky Kaushal, who have been praised for their roles and chemistry in the film.
The film industry often witnesses fluctuating trends, and many factors, from casting to competition, can drive a movie’s success or lack of it. The narrative of the film itself, coupled with the director’s vision and actor’s performance, ultimately shapes the box office figures. As of now, it remains to be seen how “Dunki” will fare in the upcoming weeks and whether it can catch up with its rivals in the box office marathon.
“Dunki” charts new territory while drawing comparison with both Shah Rukh Khan’s previous offerings and his contemporaries’ works, mapping out an ambitious path in the contemporary cinematic landscape. The upcoming weeks are crucial for this film’s trajectory, as word-of-mouth and critical reviews begin to play a more significant role in the audience’s decision-making process. With several variables at play and new releases on the horizon, “Dunki” must hold its ground and attempt to sway a greater audience to experience Shah Rukh Khan and Rajkumar Hirani’s latest cinematic endeavor.
