Indian actors Alia Bhatt and Ranveer Singh on a poster for the Hindi film ‘Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem … [+]
Indian filmmaker Karan Johar returned to direction after a gap of seven years and the box office numbers for the opening weekend of Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani are now out. The film made an underwhelming opening but the collections rose over the weekend. Starring Alia Bhatt, Ranveer Singh, Shabana Azmi, Dharmendra and Jaya Bachchan in lead roles, the film has collected $1.5 million in the US markets in the first three days of the release. Comscore ranked it on the tenth slot in the list for top grossers this weekend in the USA.
Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani scored $5.4 million in India over the first weekend. It made an underwhelming opening of $1.4 million on Friday, July 28. The collections rose to $2 million on day two and it further soared to $2.3 million on Sunday. The film is picking up majorly on positive reviews and a good word-of-mouth. It totalled a worldwide gross of $9.5 million.
Bollywood actors Alia Bhatt (L) and Ranveer Singh dance during a promotional event of their upcoming … [+]
Written by Ishita Moitra and Shashank Khaitan, Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani is the story of a young couple battling the differences of their cultures and upbringing even as their families fight their own struggles between traditions, morals and the inevitability of change. It also stars Tota Roy Chowdhury, Churni Ganguly, Aamir Bashir, and Kshitee Jog as onscreen parents of the lead couple Singh and Bhatt.
Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani is a typical Johar film replete with emotions and melodrama played out in the backdrop of high-budget sets that smash colour all over the frame and spell perfection in all sense of the visual aspects. It has its own flaws, but the film can certainly be lauded for brilliant performances and a few powerful and subversive scenes refreshingly challenging the norms.
For the year 2023 in Hindi films, Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani is the fourth highest weekend opener. The record for the highest opening weekend score remains with Shah Rukh Khan’s comeback film Pathaan. It is closely followed by Salman Khan’s Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan and the controversial film Adipurush. Made at an estimated budget of $21 million, Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani has a long road ahead for it to be declared a box office hit.
For Singh, Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani made an average opening collection. It is better than six of his previous films but seven of his films also had a much better opening than the latest one. Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s historic love saga Padmaavat remains Singh’s best opener with $2.9 million domestic collection on day one. Simmba, Gully Boy, Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela, Bajirao Mastani, and even Gunday made better opening collections at the box office. His initial films Band Baaj Baaraat, Ladies Vs. Ricky Bahl, Lootera and the more recent ones including Kill Dill, Jayeshbhai Jordaar, and Cirkus scored way less than Rocky Aur Rani Kii Premm Kahaani on day one.
The film can also be ranked as Bhatt’s eight best opener ever. Last year’s Brahmastra – Part 1 remains her top opener with $5.8 million (all languages, in India) followed closely by Kalank, RRR, Gully Boy, Shaandaar, 2 States, and Badrinathi Ki Dulhania.