NEW DELHI: As the festivities and winter chills of December roll in, cinephiles are bracing for a spectacular box office showdown that’s bound to make headlines. In one corner, adorned with accolades and the Bollywood charm, is ‘Dunki’ led by Shah Rukh Khan. In the opposing corner, bearing the flag of Southern cinematic prowess, is Prabhas’ ‘Salaar’. Renowned trade analyst Girish Wankhede revealed his insights in an exclusive conversation with TOI regarding this much-anticipated face-off.
Wankhede noted the bold strategy of ‘Salaar’, which is taking a risk by challenging the high-profile ‘Dunki’, featuring the dynamic collaboration of SRK and filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani. ‘Salaar’ had the option to release during the Pongal festivities of January but opted for the Christmas season. Wankhede admired the courage behind this decision.
He highlighted the sheer scale of ‘Salaar: Part 1 Ceasefire’ that emanates from the creators of the sensational ‘KGF’ series, underscoring its high production values and ambitious venture. The movie is poised to captivate audiences, written and directed by Prashant Neel and presented by Hombale Films. A production house that aligns releases with astrological timings, choosing a direct collision with ‘Dunki’ over a quieter Pongal release.
“‘Dunki,’ with the powerful combo of Shah Rukh Khan and Rajkumar Hirani, who are known for creating blockbuster magic, is set to have a far-reaching appeal in terms of screen availability and cinema collections. SRK’s presence guarantees a robust opening and could signify a hat-trick of successes for the superstar this year,” Wankhede opined.
Discussing the trailers, Wankhede observed that ‘Salaar’ has not yet detached itself from the ‘KGF’ hangover despite its engaging look and powerful star cast, including Prabhas and Prithviraj Sukumaran. Whereas ‘Dunki’, with its unique charm and narrative, seems primed to captivate a broader audience base. He projected that ‘Dunki’ would open spectacularly at the box office with collections surpassing 40 crore on its first day.
“Dunki’s global aspirations are evident, sparked by its appealing issue-driven narrative. It exudes widespread charm, and its broad acceptance across India and beyond is poised to make it a global phenomenon,” Wankhede remarked, paving the way for the film’s potential success internationally.
While ‘Salaar’ is recognized as a heavy-budget action spectacle, its success hinge on the allure of its star cast and meticulously directed action sequences. The analysis suggests that while ‘Salaar’ plays to its strengths, it may not match the unprecedented impact ‘Dunki’ is projected to have. ‘Dunki’ is expected to compete with or possibly surpass the success of previous films like ‘Jawaan’ and ‘Pathan’.
Wankhede conveyed confidence in ‘Dunki’s’ prospects and the ability to grow its success post-release through positive audience reactions and reviews, a testament to the power of word of mouth in the film industry.
In summation, the face-off between ‘Dunki’ and ‘Salaar’ is not just a collision of cinematic titans, but also a study in strategic release date choices and the impact of star charisma versus production grandiosity. As the holiday season approaches, audiences across India and the world are filled with anticipation, waiting to see which film will emerge as the victor in this enigmatic box office clash.
