In the illustrious cinematic voyage of Bollywood icon Shah Rukh Khan throughout 2023, the seasoned actor has experienced a year of soaring highs and inevitable challenges. While his earlier releases, Jawan and Pathaan, mesmerized global audiences, raking in over Rs 1,000 crore each, the recent unveiling of Dunki has faced a different trajectory, failing to replicate the same resounding success.
Dunki, which graced theaters on a Thursday, marked its opening day with a commendable Rs 30 crore nett domestically, as reported by industry tracker Sacnilk. Despite this, it ranks as the seventh-highest opener of the year, trailing behind the stellar performances of Jawan, Animal, Pathaan, Tiger 3, Gadar 2, and Adipurush. In comparison to the staggering Rs 75 crore opening of Jawan, Dunki stands as Shah Rukh Khan’s least successful film of the year, yet it outshines other releases like Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan, Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar, Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, and Dream Girl 2.
On its debut day, Dunki exhibited an overall occupancy of 29.94%, with the NCR region hosting 1412 shows boasting approximately 31% occupancy and Mumbai accommodating 1081 shows with around 29.75% occupancy.
The film, having a solo release on Thursday, faces a tough challenge on Friday against Prashanth Neel’s Salaar, released in multiple languages across the country. Salaar, featuring stars like Prabhas and Prithviraj Sukumaran, is poised to surpass Dunki with an anticipated opening day collection exceeding Rs 60 crore.
Dunki May Not be a flop
Shah Rukh Khan’s latest offering, Dunki, may be deemed his least successful film of the year. However, a closer examination reveals intriguing nuances, as the opening day figures for Dunki surpass the 2018 release Zero, marking a significant turn of events for the acclaimed actor.
Zero, released on the same date as Dunki, commenced its journey with an opening day collection of Rs 19.35 crore, trailing behind Dunki’s Rs 30 crore debut. Despite its modest beginnings, Zero struggled to leave a lasting impact, accumulating only Rs 90.28 crore throughout its theatrical run. This comparison sheds light on the dynamic nature of Shah Rukh Khan’s cinematic trajectory, showcasing a notable evolution since the release of Zero.
For director Rajkumar Hirani, celebrated for his consistent box office triumphs, Dunki’s opening figures present a deviation from his usual success story. While Dunki’s debut falls short of the opening glory witnessed by his 2018 blockbuster, Sanju, starring Ranbir Kapoor, the film still stands as a noteworthy addition to his diverse body of work. Sanju commenced its cinematic journey with an impressive Rs 34.75 crore on the opening day, ultimately amassing a formidable Rs 342.53 crore during its theatrical tenure.
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