The Indian box office is witnessing a tale of two contrasting fortunes this festive season. While the mega-starrer 'Dhurandhar' continues its monumental run, the newly released romantic comedy 'Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri' (TMMTMTTM) has stumbled out of the gates with a slow start.
Dhurandhar's Unstoppable Box Office Dominance
Directed by Aditya Dhar and featuring an ensemble cast including Ranveer Singh, Akshaye Khanna, Sanjay Dutt, Arjun Rampal, and R Madhavan, 'Dhurandhar' has proven to be a juggernaut. The film, which released on December 5, has displayed remarkable resilience. It remained largely unaffected by the subsequent release of James Cameron's big-ticket film 'Avatar: Fire And Ash'.
As of its 21st day in theatres, the film's domestic collections have soared past a monumental milestone. On December 25, by afternoon, 'Dhurandhar' had already added Rs 10.78 crore to its total. The cumulative domestic box office collection now stands at an impressive Rs 618.28 crore. Industry analysts predict that the Christmas holiday and the ongoing festive period till December 31 will further boost its earnings, ensuring the upward trend continues.
TMMTMTTM's Challenging Release Day
In stark contrast, the Kartik Aaryan and Ananya Panday-starrer 'TMMTMTTM', which hit theatres on December 25, has faced significant hurdles from day one. Despite receiving positive early reviews, the film's release strategy has been hampered by the dominating presence of 'Dhurandhar' and 'Avatar: Fire And Ash'.
The film secured a relatively low number of shows, especially in major urban multiplexes which are crucial for its urban-focused storyline. This insufficient allocation in premium theatres placed it in a difficult position ahead of its release. The advance booking figures reflected this lack of traction, with total pre-bookings failing to cross the Rs 1 crore mark just a day before release.
By the afternoon of its opening day, Christmas, the film had managed to collect approximately Rs 2.29 crore. According to industry tracker Sacnilk, the film is now likely to open at around Rs 5 crore net, a figure that falls short of initial expectations for a star-driven festive release.
Market Dynamics and Future Prospects
The current scenario highlights the intense competition for screens during the peak holiday season. 'TMMTMTTM', positioned as an urban romantic comedy, needed robust support from multiplex chains to ensure a strong opening. However, the continued demand for 'Dhurandhar' and the appeal of the 'Avatar' sequel have squeezed its screen availability.
The only potential lifeline for Kartik Aaryan's film now is positive word-of-mouth. If audience reactions are strong over the Christmas weekend, theatre chains may reconsider and allocate more shows. However, as of now, the film faces an uphill battle to make a significant mark amidst the two reigning blockbusters.
Meanwhile, 'Dhurandhar' solidifies its position as one of the biggest domestic successes of the year, showcasing the power of a large-scale, star-studded spectacle that connects with pan-Indian audiences.
