The first film of 2019 is already predicted to cross ₹100 crore at the box office. Although Uri: The Surgical Strike released alongside The Accidental Prime Minister and Battalion 609 , the Vicky Kaushal-starrer is leagues ahead of its competitors.
Then and now
While Battalion 609 has had negligible collections, The Accidental Prime Minister fared only slightly better , collecting ₹15.50 crore net on a reported budget of ₹40 crore. Uri on the other hand has snagged an impressive ₹55.25 crore net within five days of release. January, usually has a dedicated holiday big ticket release thanks to Republic Day. But it’s a rare feat to have such good numbers so early in the first month of the year. Plus, Uri opened at ₹8.25 crore net, a huge accomplishment for the actor.
The action film based on India’s retaliation to the September 29, 2016 Uri attack has been widely acknowledged by most critics as being propaganda in nature but extremely well-produced. A stark difference from The Accidental Prime Minister' s caricature-like effort. Uri 's subject too has clearly resonated with audiences. “The film is topical, the surgical strike happened only two years ago so it’s fresh in people’s minds,” says Shailesh Kapoor of Ormax Media, a firm specialising in trade insights. Initially, Uri started out as a purely multiplex-driven film but it has taken over single screens in non-urban areas too thanks to its nationalistic premise.
As of now, it’s performing well across the board with a substantial upward skew in Northern territories. Kapoor adds that Uri ’s promos helped as well, proving that a good-looking film will fill theatre seats more than a star cast can draw audiences. “With last year’s Stree [opening at ₹6.62 crore net], Raazi [opening at ₹7.33 crore net] and Sonu Ke Titu Sweety [opening at ₹6.18 crore net], we’ve seen how a trailer can help a big opening.”
Crossing the ₹100 crore mark is certain for Uri. Especially since there isn’t any big Bollywood title this week. Both Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi and Thackeray will release on January 25.
A good year
While the first film of 2019 will hopefully herald a good box office yield, we shouldn’t forget the last film of 2018. Released on December 28, Rohit Shetty’s Simmba is enjoying a third week at the theatres. Within seven days, the Ranveer Singh-starrer crossed ₹150 crore net and now has collected an impressive ₹229.41 crore net. The film is Shetty’s highest grossing hit, surpassing Chennai Express ’ collections of ₹207.69 crore net.
Made on a reported budget of ₹125 crore, an action film like Simmba is usually skewed towards non-urban areas and single screens. But Singh’s fanbase, largely urban, has filled the gap and helped the film perform well across the board. “ Simmba has [also] gone beyond [traditional] action audiences to make become a family film,” says Kapoor adding that it has performed exceptionally well in Maharashtra since the film is set in Goa.
Simmba was also the only one out of the three big titles — the other two being Zero and Thugs of Hindostan — to perform well in 2018’s last quarter. Had all three been successful, last year would have ended on a 15% rise in total box office earnings. Instead we’re looking at a 10% to 12% hike which, all things considered, is a great feat. Because after all, 2018 has effectively “reversed years of stagnant footfalls and and declining ticket sales,” according to Kapoor.
Let’s hope Uri ’s success carries forwards to the next 12 months.
