Kalki 2898 AD, the biggest and most expensive Indian film ever made, is set to release in theatres in just a few hours. The magnum opus from Nag Ashwin boasts of a heavy duty star cast and a story seeped I Indian mythology. Given the scale and star power, the buzz for the film is tremendous, with the advance booking figures breaking records. Now the question remains about the film’s prospects at the box office and if it can achieve the impossible and knock Baahubali and RRR off their perch.
Kalki 2898 AD’s advance booking tsunami
Kalki 2898 AD stars Amitabh Bachchan, Prabhas, Deepika Padukone, along with Kamal Haasan in an extended cameo as the antagonist. The film deals with the prophesised tenth incarnation of Lord Vishnu – Kalki, and is set in the 29th century. Mounted on a Rs 600-crore budget – the highest-ever in Indian cinema history – it boasts of never-seen-before VFX and action. Due to all this, the tickets are selling like hot cakes. As of 9pm on Wednesday evening, hours before booking closes, Kalki 2898 AD has sold tickets worth Rs 49 crore for its opening day alone. The film will easily cross the Rs 50-crore mark before midnight and may end up closer to Rs 55 crore.
This figure is higher than the total advance booking numbers of blockbusters like Pathaan, Jawan, Salaar, Leo, and Animal, and only behind all-time hits such as Baahubali 2, KGF Chapter 2, and RRR. Ashish Saksena, COO - Cinemas, BookMyShow, said, “Kalki 2898 AD has created a theatrical stir across India even before its release, already crossing 1.5 million tickets booked on BookMyShow. This tremendous response reflects the film’s widespread appeal and keen anticipation among diverse audiences. Kalki 2898 AD has garnered spectacular interest from audiences opting to watch the mass entertainer at single-screen theatres, contributing to a massive 60% of ticket sales on BookMyShow so far.”
Kalki 2898 AD’s opening day predictions
In the southern states, it is Prabhas’ star power that has driven the bulk of the advance booking. Of the Rs 49-crore advance booking sales, Rs 40 crore has come from Telugu alone, a massive figure. Trade analysts say Prabhas’ stardom will ensure packed houses across the Telugu states and even bigger centres like Bengaluru. Ramesh Bala says, “His star power will ensure that the film opens to packed houses in the Telugu states (Andhra Pradesh and Telangana). Outside this, even in centres like Bengaluru, his stardom is huge. There also, the film will open well.” Prabhas’ last two releases – Adipurush and Salaar – both managed Rs 120 crore worldwide on opening day. And Kalki is tracking way better than either of them. Bala agrees that a worldwide opening of Rs 150+ crore should be a cakewalk for Kalki 2898 AD.
Can Kalki 2898 AD breach the Rs 200-crore mark on day one itself?
Trade insiders are predicting Kalki 2898 AD to earn a gross of Rs 120-150 crore in the domestic market and Rs 60-80 crore overseas. This gives the film a potential day 1 haul of Rs 180-220 crore. Most trade experts are predicting that the Prabhas-starrer will surpass the opening day collection of KGF Chapter 2 (Rs 160 crore). But the question is will RRR’s all-time record of Rs 223 crore be threatened? The possibility exists but Kalki 2898 AD will really have to pick up in the Hindi market for that to happen as the Telugu states are already maxed out. Regardless, Kalki 2898 AD is all set for a blockbuster opening. Beyond that, good content and positive word of mouth will be essential for its long and strong run.
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