Trade feels that Dunki can open in the range of Rs. 30 to 40 crores and can emerge as the third consecutive Rs. 500 crore grosser for Shah Rukh Khan: “If the content is good, it could be one of the BIGGEST, if not the biggest grosser of the year”

The biggest clash of the year will take place this week. While Shah Rukh Khan starrer Dunki releases on Thursday, December 21, Salaar, starring Prabhas, will arrive in cinemas on Friday, December 22.

Trade analyst Atul Mohan is confident that Dunki is set for a historic opening, “It can have an opening of Rs. 50 crores.” He explained, “The advance trend is good. There’s Shah Rukh Khan as the lead and moreover, Rajkumar Hirani is the director. After Pathaan and Jawan, Shah Rukh Khan is on a different level altogether. As for Rajkumar Hirani, the business of his films is always greater than his last flick. Lage Raho Munna Bhai (2006) collected more than Munna Bhai MBBS (2003). 3 Idiots (2009) did many times more than Lage Raho Munna Bhai. PK (2014) broke 3 Idiots’ record. Sanju (2018) also collected more than PK.”

The other experts felt Dunki’s opening will be below Rs. 40 crores but also added that for a film of this kind, it’s a positive sign. Girish Johar, producer and film business analyst, opined, “It’ll open around Rs. 30-35 crores. We need to remember that it’s a non-holiday Thursday release. Hence, such an opening will be fantastic for Dunki.”

Raj Bansal, the owner of Entertainment Paradise in Jaipur explained, “Don’t compare Dunki’s opening to Pathaan and Jawan. It may be a slow starter. But if the content is good, it can be at par with the two films of Shah Rukh Khan released earlier this year”. He predicted, “Rs. 35 crores plus will be a very good opening day number for Dunki.”

Trade guru Komal Nahta agreed, “The advance booking is good, not outstanding. And that’s not surprising because it is not an action film like Pathaan, Jawan, Gadar 2 or Animal. Action films are the ones that get the biggest opening and the best advance booking. Hence, I am not surprised. People are saying ‘advance khaas nahin hai’ lekin khaas hone bhi nahin waali thi”. He continued, “My prediction is between Rs. 30 and 35 crores.”

A family film after a long time

Atul Mohan explains why Dunki will have an edge, “It is a film for a family audience. Animal became a huge hit but many families and ladies’ viewers stayed away. They haven’t gone to watch a film in a long time since Pathaan, Gadar 2 and Jawan were action flicks. After Zara Hatke Zara Bachke and Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, there hasn’t been any family film” In his trademark style, he indulged in a play of words, “Bahut time se un ke dhang ki picture nahin aayi thi lekin ab Dunki aa gayi hai!”

Girish Johar, in agreement, opined, “This is a period when more of the family audience and womenfolk come out to celebrate. This is the time when multiplex films have done well. Hence, Aamir Khan’s movies have exceled in Christmas. The women have been left out when it comes to the recent blockbusters and hence, they might drive the ticket sales for Dunki.”

Komal Nahta also said, “I have liked the song ‘Lutt Putt Gaya’. 'Nikle The Kabhi Hum Ghar Se', written by Javed Akhtar, will top the charts very soon.”

500 crore possible for Dunki?

Shah Rukh Khan’s earlier two films entered the Rs. 500 crore club. Can Dunki also follow suit? Everyone unanimously felt that it’s possible since the SRK + Hirani combo is a solid one. Atul Mohan opined that “It (A business of Rs. 500 crores) can very easily happen.” Girish Johar also holds the same belief.

Raj Bansal said, “Dunki is not an action film, unlike Pathaan and Jawan. Hence, those films opened to record numbers. But I have high hopes from director Rajkumar Hirani. If the content is good, it can be at par with Pathaan or Jawan or even go beyond them.”

Komal Nahta went on to say, “I have a feeling that it could be one of the biggest, if not the biggest grosser of the year.”

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