The Hindi version of the monstrous blockbuster KGF – Chapter 2 started with a bang and is doing great business in the weekdays as well. All eyes are now on how much the Yash-starrer manages to collect in its lifetime. We decided to talk to the trade experts about this aspect and a lot more.
Baahubali 2 – The Conclusion’s (2017) Hindi version holds the record for collecting Rs. 510.99 crore and thus, being the biggest grosser of all times. When asked whether KGF – Chapter 2 can cross this coveted mark, Akshaye Rathi, a film exhibitor, and distributor, said, “Whether Baahubali 2 – The Conclusion record will be broken is something only time will tell. Having said that, looking at the numbers, anything is possible right now.”
He continued, “Going by the sustenance that’s happening, I expect the film to collect a minimum Rs. 325 crore. That the weekdays are also going strong is an indication that this film is here to stay. We need to now ascertain how much of an opposition Jersey and Sher Shivraj in Maharashtra prove to be and how much of opposition do Runway 34 and Heropanti 2 and the Telugu film Acharya prove to be. Nevertheless, if there’s a film that people want to watch, irrespective of what’s coming with it, people end up watching that film.”
Trade analyst Atul Mohan, however, remarked, “It’ll be difficult. Baahubali 2 – The Conclusion also had the support of female and family audiences. In the case of KGF – Chapter 2, that’s not the case. The youngsters and males have patronized the film.”
Trade veteran Taran Adarsh’s answer was on similar lines, “It’s a bit early to comment. But I definitely feel it’ll cross Dangal’s (2016) Rs. 387.38 crore lifetime the way it’s going. Baahubali 2 – The Conclusion, however, was trending on a much bigger level on the weekdays. KGF – Chapter 2 is also trending well but it’s a mass film where the action takes precedence. Moreover, Baahubali 2 – The Conclusion was a wholesome entertainer. It had a lot of emotions that were connected with the first part’s finale (Katappa killing Baahubali). Regardless, crossing Dangal’s numbers is also a huge achievement.”
Girish Johar, producer and film business analyst, said that the barrage of releases every Friday will prevent KGF – Chapter 2 from breaking Baahubali’s record, “Other films are also releasing every week like Jersey, Runway 34, Heropanti 2, Doctor Strange, etc. It’ll do business in the range of Rs. 400 crore. I think it’ll cross Dangal’s numbers.”
Atul Mohan agreed, “Jersey will take away some screens though most exhibitors would prefer playing KGF – Chapter 2. Then, there are two big films next week, on Eid. Baahubali 2 – The Conclusion had an advantage as it had a clear run with only small and mid-sized films releasing in the subsequent weeks.”
KGF – Chapter 2: A rare hit in Ramzan
It was believed in the industry that biggies should avoid releasing in the holy month of Ramzan, as it can lead to limited business. KGF – Chapter 2, however, has put up such numbers despite releasing in the middle of the holy month. So has the myth of not releasing films in this period been broken?
Akshaye Rathi said, “We have seen this before. Baahubali – The Beginning (2015) was released in the last week of Ramzan. Then on Eid, Bajrangi Bhijaan arrived and yet, Baahubali – The Beginning put up huge numbers. While you might say it’s a myth, I’ll not negate the fact that had KGF – Chapter 2 not come in the middle of Ramzan, maybe the business would have been bigger because there’s a huge demographic of moviegoers who don’t come to the cinemas during this period. Having said that, if there’s a film that’s widely appealing and has traction with every movie-going audience, then come rain, thunder, tsunami, Ramzan, or even Covid, that film will work. Even Sooryavanshi and Spider-Man collected so well despite limitations.”
Atul Mohan is not surprised, “The myth was broken a long time back, with the success of films like Baahubali – The Beginning, Ek Tha Tiger (released 6 days before Eid), Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, Parmanu, Veere Di Wedding, etc.”
Taran Adarsh observed, “Ramzan is a period when a chunk of the audience doesn’t really watch films in theatres, and it takes away a chunk of the business. However, a good film can withstand any period. I remember Hum Aapke Hain Koun was released at the peak of the monsoon. Agar film ko chalna hai, toh chahe jo bhi ho, woh film chal jaayegi.” He reminded us that at one point, filmmakers shied from releasing the
films in the month of shraddh but this trend is barely followed today.
