The cinematic beast ‘Animal’ unleashed its fury at the box office, marking its Day 1 release with a thunderous roar that resonated across theaters. Ranbir Kapoor’s much-anticipated film stormed into the limelight, overshadowing even the most promising contenders like Vicky Kaushal’s ‘Sam Bahadur’, slated for the same release date.
Pre-Release Hype and Booking Blitz
From the get-go, ‘Animal’ captivated the audience’s anticipation, dominating the charts in advance bookings since November 26. Industry analysts projected a staggering ₹60 crore opening day collection, setting the stage for a potential record-breaker.
Sacnilk, the industry tracker, reported an impressive advance ticket sale of 4.5 lakh across major cinema chains like PVR, INOX, and Cinepolis. The anticipation translated into a whopping ₹33.97 crore from 13 lakh ticket sales on the opening day alone, setting the tone for a triumphant theatrical run.
Certification and Runtime
The film, adorned with an ‘A’ rating from the Central Board of Film Certification, signaled its target audience of 18+. Notably, ‘Animal’ boasts a runtime of 3 hours and 21 minutes, marking its place among the epically long Indian cinematic ventures.
Projections and Competition
Amidst the buzz, industry pundits like Sumit Kadel speculated a mammoth weekend collection of ₹170 crore+ if ‘Animal’ receives a favorable audience response. The film strides into a competitive arena, eyeing the coveted spot among the top Bollywood openers, with a projected ₹100 – 115 crore on its debut day worldwide.
The stakes intensify as ‘Animal’ vies against Shah Rukh Khan’s ‘Pathaan’, which opened at ₹68 crore gross in India, and ‘Jawan’ at ₹129 crore, setting the stage for an intense battle in the box office arena.
Regional Dominance and Global Aspirations
Not just limited to the Indian turf, ‘Animal’ stakes its claim in Telugu-speaking regions like Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, with a strong pre-sales performance. Overseas, it eyes a formidable ₹41 to ₹50 crore on the opening day, setting sights on a global conquest.
Multilingual Marvel and Stellar Cast
Directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga, the maestro behind ‘Kabir Singh’ and ‘Arjun Reddy’, ‘Animal’ promises an enthralling saga in various languages—Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam. Bolstered by a stellar ensemble featuring Rashmika Mandanna, Anil Kapoor, Bobby Deol, and Tripti Dimri, the film pledges an immersive cinematic experience.
Foretelling Success
Renowned film analyst Taran Adarsh affirms ‘Animal’s grand inauguration, stating unequivocally that it’s set to be Ranbir Kapoor’s monumental debut at the box office.
‘Animal’ isn’t just a film; it’s a seismic event, shaking the very foundations of Indian cinema with its mammoth ambitions and star-studded ensemble. As it prowls across screens worldwide, its impact promises to be nothing short of legendary.
