Sandalwood

1 day ago

32938 views

Kantara Chapter 1 Hindi Box Office Preview: Advance Booking and Opening Day Expectations

Mumbai, October 1 - Actor and director Rishab Shetty's Kantara: A Legend - Chapter 1 is one of the most awaited films of the year, riding high on the blockbuster success of 2022's Kantara that became a cultural and commercial phenomenon across the country. The prequel promises to expand the mystical folklore universe on a much grander scale, with intense visuals and rooted storytelling that connects deeply with Indian traditions. Directed and headlined once again by Shetty, and with a festive Dussehra release amid massive curiosity around how the world of Kantara began, the stage is set for a solid theatrical debut at the Indian box office, and all eyes will be on how the Hindi version of the movie fares, especially after the original movie turned into an unexpected big succees. After a slow start, the film's advance booking in the Hindi market has gained some momentum with less than a day to go for the release. So far, it has grossed approximately 2.50 crores for the opening day and is expected to close above 4 crores in pre-sales. This puts the film ahead of other recent titles such as Sky Force (3.78 crores), Sitaare Zameen Par (3.30 crores), and Jolly LLB 3 (3.23 crores) in advance sales. With this trajectory, a double-digit opening in Hindi, which once seemed tough, is now comfortably within reach. Current trends indicate an opening day in the range of 14–15 crores net, with spot bookings and walk-ins on the Dussehra holiday expected to provide a significant boost, especially in tier-2 and tier-3 centres where the film holds an upper hand in single screens. If word of mouth is positive, these figures will likely go further. Censored with a U/A certificate and carrying a runtime of 169 minutes, the film will be released in the Hindi belt by AA Films, which has ensured a wide release across multiplexes and mass circuits alike. Despite a clash with Dharma Productions’ family entertainer Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari, Kantara Chapter 1 has managed to carve out a strong showcasing, thanks to its brand value and the aggressive planning by the distributor. All eyes are now on the audience reception. If the film garners positive word of mouth, Kantara Chapter 1 could turn its promising advance into a blockbuster start in the Hindi market, reaffirming the pan-India appeal of Rishab Shetty's vision. Worldwide, the film is expected to take the opening of 50+ crores. Stay tuned...

Bollywood

1 day ago

5299 views

Varun Dhawan and Janhvi Kapoor's Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumar Box Office Preview/Opening Day Expectations

Mumbai, October 1 - Varun Dhawan and Janhvi Kapoor's romantic comedy drama Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari is gearing up for release this Dussehra, amid some expectations. Directed by Shashank Khaitan, the film has managed to catch the attention with songs and trailer, which is aimed at the family audience. It has been certified U/A by the CBFC and carries a runtime of 2 hours 15 minutes. Varun Dhawan and Shashank Khaitan are a proven combo, having delivered box office hits like Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania and Badrinath Ki Dulhania, and the expectations are no different this time either. However, unlike in the past, there are challenges for the film this time. While the trade is expecting this combo to hit the bull's eye, the ground buzz doesn't seem to be that strong. The advance booking of the film was opened a couple of days ago, but it hasn't found momentum with less than a day to go for the release. The pre-sales are proceeding at a slow pace, with the big momentum missing that usually accompanies a festive release. So far, the movie has accumulated approximately 1.40 crore in pre-sales and is heading for a finish around 2.50–3 crore gross for the opening day. This figure places the film below the advance sale of recent Bollywood releases like Jolly LLB 3 (3.23 crore gross) and Sitaare Zameen Par (3.30 crore gross), both of which managed to open in double digits on Day 1. Given the current trend, Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari might struggle to reach that mark and is instead looking at an opening in the 8–10 crore net range domestically. The film does, however, benefit from the Dussehra holiday, which could give a crucial boost to its spot bookings, especially in urban multiplexes. The challenge lies in single screens, where Kantara: Chapter 1 is enjoying stronger buzz and demand, making the competition tougher for Varun and Janhvi’s outing. Directed by Shashank Khaitan and backed by Dharma Productions, the film also stars Sanya Malhotra and Rohit Saraf in supporting roles. With positive word of mouth and the holiday advantage, Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari still has a chance to build momentum post its release, but its opening day numbers are likely to stay modest compared to recent big festive Bollywood launches. Stay tuned...

Sandalwood

3 days ago

19211 views

Kantara Chapter 1 Hindi Advance Booking: Hype Missing For Rishab Shetty-starrer

Bengaluru, September 29 - Actor and filmmaker Rishab Shetty's Kantara: Chapter 1 has generated massive excitement in Karnataka, where advance bookings are surging with several shows already sold out. However, things in the Hindi market look gloomy, unlike the social media notion. Despite the cult status of the original Kantara — which stunned the trade by becoming a sleeper blockbuster across India — the prequel is not replicating that momentum in the Hindi belt. Trade expectations were high that Kantara: Chapter 1 would score big advances and even challenge the dominance of other South Indian blockbusters with big starts in the Hindi market. It is not that South Indian films solely depend on Hindi markets to get success status, but over the last decade, many South Indian films performed exceptionally in the Hindi belt, which eventually became the highlight of their box office status. Early chatter suggested Kantara 2 would score big advances on par with other Pan-India blockbusters in Hindi, aided by the goodwill of the first instalment. Yet, so far, the response is muted. As per the current status, the Hindi version of the period action drama has managed to sell tickets worth around 50 lakh for the opening day. While this is a decent start for a dubbed Kannada film, it falls significantly short of the lofty expectations set before advance bookings opened. This eventually shows that the hype, which seemed very good on social media, is not on the ground among the general audience. With just a few days left for release, the film's Hindi prospects hinge on a late surge in bookings. If the momentum doesn't pick up, Kantara: Chapter 1 may struggle to breach the double-digit opening mark in the Hindi market. Much will depend on word of mouth, last-minute ticketing rush, and how effectively the makers push promotions in North Indian circuits before release. Stay tuned...

Sandalwood

7 days ago

23449 views

Rishab Shetty's Kantara Chapter 1 Advance Booking Update

Bengaluru, September 25 - After scoring an unexpected big box office success with Kantara in 2022, Hombale Films announced Kantara 2, which is the prequel to the first film. Directed and headlined by Rishab Shetty, it has been one of the most anticipated Indian films with stakes higher than before. After going through an intense production process, the movie is finally ready to release on October 2, 2025, in multiple languages. With just a week to go before release, Hombale Films has confirmed that the advance booking of the Kantara prequel will open on September 26 in its home turf, Karnataka. The all-India booking of the film is expected to open on September 28 or 29, including the Hindi version. The dubbed Hindi version proved to be a big box office success back in 2022, with around 100 crores gross, and now, the trade is excited to see how things unfold for Kantara 2. As said, the pre-sales will go live first in Karnataka, where the movie is expected to see one of the best responses for a Kannada title. The movie is rooted in the local culture, which is a massive advantage for it in setting the box office on fire. Starring Rishab Shetty in the lead role alongside Rukmini Vasanth, Jayaram, and Gulshan Devaiah, Kantara 2's story delves deeper into the origins of the mythological tradition and ancestral conflict introduced in the first film. Set in pre-colonial coastal Karnataka, the film is expected to explore the ancient roots of the Bhuta Kola ritual and the folklore and history explored in the first film released in 2022. Stay tuned...

Tollywood

8 days ago

24704 views

They Call Him OG Becomes Pawan Kalyan's Biggest Opener With Advance Booking

Hyderabad, September 24 - Power star Pawan Kalyan's gangster action thriller They Call Him OG is set to storm the box office. The film has been receiving an exceptional response in pre-sales, not just in India but also in international markets. Directed by Sujeeth, They Call Him OG still has a few hours left for the release, and even before that, it has become Pawan Kalyan's biggest opener ever. The advance booking of the film is nearing 75 crores worldwide for the opening day, making it the biggest opener for the superstar. The previous biggest opener of PK was Hari Hara Veera Mallu, which scored approximately 67 crores worldwide on its opening day. OG, meanwhile, is heading towards taking a 2x start of HHVM, with trade believes that it might even take the opening of 150+ crores gross globally. It will be quite astonishing if OG manages to take the opening of 150+ crores, as it will be very close to PK's biggest lifetime worldwide grosser Bheemla Nayak (158.50 crores). Irrespective of what the opening will be, one thing is clear that OG will become the actor's biggest grosser within two days, which will probably be a record for a film featuring an A-lister. OG is heading towards scoring 90-100 crores pre-sales for the opening day. So far, it has grossed approximately 45 crores in India and 30 crores overseas, including the premiere shows. The pre-sales momentum has been excellent for OG, which is easily the most hyped film of PK in recent times. Produced by DVV Entertainment, OG stars Pawan Kalyan in the titular role, alongside Emraan Hashmi (in his Telugu film debut), Priyanka Mohan, Arjun Das, Sriya Reddy and Prakash Raj. The film revolves around a gangster named Ojas Gambheera who returns to Mumbai following his ten-year disappearance to kill another crime boss, Omi Bhau. Stay tuned...

Tollywood

9 days ago

6131 views

Pawan Kalyan's They Call Him OG Faces Risk In Overseas Markets

Hyderabad, September 23 - Pawan Kalyan’s much-awaited action drama They Call Him OG is gearing up for a massive worldwide release, amid massive hype and strong pre-sales. Advance bookings in key territories like North America have been encouraging, with record-breaking ticket pre-sales. However, despite the hype, the film faces some real challenges overseas, which could impact its overall box office numbers. One major concern is the timely delivery of content to cinemas across multiple territories. Reports indicate that digital prints have yet to be fully dispatched in some overseas markets, raising fears of premiere cancellations or delayed screenings. ⚠️ Press Release (Safety)#YorkCinemas #TheyCallHimOG#OGMovie #Update pic.twitter.com/xoLCVV5oEU— York Cinemas (@yorkcinemas) September 22, 2025 Overseas distributors have already issued warnings to the makers regarding the continued delay in the product. Some of the theatre chains have confirmed the inability to screen the movie due to no content, while the North American distributor of the film, Prathyangira Cinemas, has shared that the Tamil version of OG will not be released there due to unavoidable content delays. Since overseas openings rely heavily on early premiere shows, even small disruptions can dent collections in crucial markets like the USA and Canada. Adding to the complication, the film has been certified with an A rating in India for its heavy violence, which could restrict audiences in certain international territories or invite additional censor edits. Due to unavoidable content delays, the Tamil version of #TheyCallHimOG will not be releasing in North America. However, the Telugu and Hindi versions will be screened across the region as planned. We sincerely regret the inconvenience and thank you for your understanding and…— Prathyangira Cinemas (@PrathyangiraUS) September 23, 2025 The financial stakes are equally high. They Call Him OG has already set lofty expectations, with trade estimates projecting over 50 crore from overseas on Day 1 alone. While strong advance sales show promise, the pressure to meet such numbers is immense. A shortfall in overseas earnings could place additional strain on domestic markets to balance the film’s breakeven targets. The issues are created by the makers themselves, as reports say that the post-production work is still going on, with just a day left for the premiere. This is not the first time a Telugu film has faced such issues, as these kinds of problems have arisen in the past as well. But despite the experience, things haven't changed much for the industry. With too much of frustration(Pressnote)#TheyCallHimOG pic.twitter.com/HvApV17N27— 4Seasons Creations AS (@4SeasonCreation) September 23, 2025 Despite these risks, Pawan Kalyan's star power and the film’s high production values ensure that anticipation remains strong. If distribution hurdles are resolved quickly and audience reception is positive, They Call Him OG still has every chance of delivering one of the biggest overseas performances for a Telugu film. Stay tuned...

Tollywood

9 days ago

39058 views

Pawan Kalyan's They Call Him OG Advance Booking Nears 100 Crore Worldwide For Day 1: Targets 150 Crore Opening

Hyderabad, September 23 - Pawan Kalyan's highly awaited gangster action drama They Call Him OG has been locked to score the biggest opening for him after an excellent response in the advance bookings, which are among the best of the year. As per industry trackers, overseas pre-sales of OG have crossed the $3.50 million (31+ crore) mark, while bookings in India are around 60 crore currently. Together, this pushes the global advance collections are around 90+ crores, heading towards the massive 100 crores mark. The craze surrounding OG is being fueled by Pawan Kalyan's larger-than-life persona and the electrifying promos. In North America, where Telugu cinema continues to expand its presence, the film has already shattered multiple records with its advance ticket sales and has crossed 22.50 crores just for the premieres. Back home, tickets are being snapped up at a rapid pace, with shows selling out within minutes of going on sale. The hype has been further boosted by Emraan Hashmi's menacing antagonist role and Sujeeth's stylish direction, which promises a high-voltage gangster saga. With such extraordinary momentum, trade analysts are unanimous that They Call Him OG is heading for a 150 crore+ worldwide opening day, a feat achieved by only a handful of Indian films. If early trends continue, the film could be among the biggest openers ever. Stay tuned...

Bollywood

14 days ago

20025 views

Jolly LLB 3 Box Office Preview/Day 1 Expectations: Double-Digit Opening On The Cards

Mumbai, September 18 - Superstar Akshay Kumar and Arshad Warsi's much-awaited courtroom comedy-drama Jolly LLB 3 is all set to hit the big screens tomorrow, amid decent expectations. Directed by Subhash Kapoor, the film brings both the Jollys together for the first time, which has increased the stakes and expectations. The film's advance booking has progressed slowly but with a steady pace, as it has so far collected around 2.15 crores gross (without block seats) for the opening day. With the last few hours left for the release, the momentum in the sales is picking up, and it is expected to surpass or come near the advance of Aamir Khan's Sitaare Zameen Par (3.31 crores for Day 1). To put things into perspective, Sitaare Zameen Par had collected 10.70 crores net on its opening day with 3.31 crores gross in advance sales on around 3300 screens. Jolly LLB 3 is reportedly releasing in around 3500 screens, and with minimal competition from Bollywood films, it is expected to fare better than SZP. As said, the pre-sales of Jolly LLB 3 are likely to be around the Aamir Khan-starrer, which puts it on course to take the opening in the range of 11-12 crores net. The franchise value is expected to boost the spot booking, and if the reports are positive, it might even challenge Jolly LLB 2's opening of 13.20 crores net, but it is something which depends on how things go on the release day. Early trends suggest that Jolly LLB 3 is poised to score Akshay Kumar one of his better openings in recent times. A double-digit debut looks assured, with the possibility of scaling higher depending on spot bookings and word of mouth. If the content delivers, the weekend collections could see a healthy surge, setting the stage for another successful outing for the popular legal comedy franchise. Stay tuned...

Bollywood

14 days ago

10060 views

PVR-INOX Halts Advance Booking For Akshay Kumar, Arshad Warsi's Jolly LLB 3

Mumbai, September 18 - Akshay Kumar and Arshad Warsi's much-awaited Jolly LLB 3 seems to be in trouble ahead of its September 19 release. In a shocking development, the largest multiplex chain in India, PVR-INOX, has halted advance bookings for this courtroom comedy drama. The theatre chain had opened the bookings for the weekend, but gradually started stopping them since Wednesday evening (September 17). It is said that the issue is regarding V.P.F. (Virtual Print Fees), which is being resolved now, and the bookings will be live anytime soon. "A meeting will be held between the two parties on Thursday at 10:00 am. We are all hoping that all the issues between them are resolved amicably. Once that happens, bookings in PVR Inox are expected to commence immediately", reports Bollywood Hungama. The pre-sales of Jolly LLB 3 are increasing gradually. As of 10 AM on September 17, the film has sold over 66,000 tickets worth approximately 1.75 crores gross for the opening day. With the last day ongoing before the release, the bookings will see a jump, setting the stage for the movie for a decent to good opening at the box office. Directed by Subhash Kapoor, the third instalment of the successful franchise stars Akshay and Arshad, alongside Saurabh Shukla, Amrita Rao, and Huma Qureshi, all reprising their roles from the first two films, with Gajraj Rao being a new addition. It is produced by Star Studios18 and Kangra Talkies Stay tuned...

Bollywood

19 days ago

14868 views

Limited Advance Booking of Akshay Kumar, Arshad Warsi's Jolly LLB 3 Begins

Mumbai, September 13 - The much-awaited courtroom comedy-drama Jolly LLB 3, starring Akshay Kumar and Arshad Warsi, has kick-started its limited advance booking without any prior announcement. Directed by Subhash Kapoor, the movie is scheduled to release on September 19, 2025. As per the latest update, the pre-sales of Jolly LLB 3 have opened in major cities across North India, and the distributors have already listed a handful of shows. This is a surprising move by the makers to open the booking a week before the release date, that too without any announcement. This measured approach is aimed at building momentum closer to release while gauging audience response. Jolly LLB 3 is among the most-awaited films of the year, and is expected to have a good response in the pre-sales. It needs to be seen that the booking process but the makers seem confident. The third instalment of the franchise brings back Arshad Warsi, who played the original Jolly, alongside Akshay Kumar reprising his role from Jolly LLB 2. The teaser and trailer have promised a gripping courtroom battle with trademark satire, supported by the ever-reliable Saurabh Shukla as the no-nonsense judge. Produced by Star Studios and Kangra Talkies, the movie also brings back Amrita Rao and Huma Qureshi from the first two films. It is scheduled to release on September 19 worldwide. Stay tuned...

Hollywood

20 days ago

5408 views

Japanese Anime Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle Scored The Third Biggest Opening Day Advance Booking In India In 2025

Mumbai, September 12 – Japanese anime phenomenon Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle is heading for a massive start at the Indian box office, after recording one of the biggest pre-sales in the country this year. The unexpected rise of the animation genre in India has been taken to another level by Infinity Castle, which has already become the biggest non-Hollywood grosser here with pre-sales only. Directed by Haruo Sotozaki, the film has registered the biggest ever pre-sales for an animation film in India for the opening day as well as the weekend. Among the Bollywood films of 2025, Demon Slayer is the third biggest pre-sales earner this year in terms of tickets sold in the three national chains (PVR, INOX, and Cinepolis). To put the numbers into perspective, here's how Infinity Castle stacks up against other major openers of the year in national chains: The Conjuring 4 – 227K tickets Chhaava – 223K tickets Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle – 200K tickets Saiyaara – 193K tickets Mission Impossible 8 – 165K tickets With these figures, Demon Slayer comfortably sits at #3 in 2025 pre-sales rankings, only behind Hollywood horror juggernaut The Conjuring 4 and Vicky Kaushal’s historical blockbuster Chhaava. The strong pre-sales indicate a record-breaking opening day for the anime, which has been certified U/A with a runtime of 2 hours 35 minutes and is releasing across 1,700 screens nationwide. Audience buzz, combined with the ever-growing popularity of anime in India, suggests that Infinity Castle could set new milestones for the genre in the country. Stay tuned...

Hollywood

23 days ago

20195 views

Box Office Storm Incoming: Japanese Anime Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle Sees Record Advance Booking In India

Mumbai, September 9 - The Indian box office is bracing for a storm in the coming weekend in the form of a Japanese animation film Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle, which is seeing a historic response in the advance booking in the country, ahead of its September 12 release. Directed by Haruo Sotozaki, Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle has already sold over 1 lakh tickets for its opening day, while overall weekend sales are over 2,50,000, across the three leading national cinema chains — PVR, INOX, and Cinepolis — a staggering feat for an animated title. The film has reportedly sold tickets worth over 15 crores gross for the opening weekend, already becoming the biggest non-Hollywood foreign animation or live-action film in India. It has beaten the collection of Suzume and Jujutsu Kaisen 0 with the advance sales only. The animation has seen an unexpected rise at the Indian box office this year. After the homemade Mahavatar Narsimha, which is the biggest Indian animated grosser worldwide as well as at the Indian box office, Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle is set to take things a notch higher, as far as the opening weekend is concerned. There are still two days left before the first show begins, and no one can tell where this Infinity Castle advance booking storm is heading. It is basically unlocking the true potential for the animation market in India. It is learned that the sales are also strong for the weekdays, which points to the unbelievable craze for the movie in the country. Stay tuned...