The much-anticipated sci-fi film “Kalki 2898 AD,” directed by Nag Ashwin, boasts a star-studded cast including Prabhas, Amitabh Bachchan, Deepika Padukone, Kamal Haasan, and Disha Patani. With special cameos by SS Rajamouli, Dulquer Salmaan, Mrunal Thakur, and Vijay Deverakonda, the film had created massive buzz prior to its release. However, despite its promising start, the film has struggled to maintain its initial momentum at the box office. Also Read- Kalki 2898 AD Review: the Movie is a Gutsy Visionary Sci-fi; Has an Engaging Build-up With Flaws
“Kalki 2898 AD” opened to an impressive worldwide box office collection of Rs 191.5 crore on its first day, Thursday. This initial success set high expectations for its performance over the weekend. However, the film saw a significant drop in collections on its second day, Saturday. According to industry tracker Sacnilk, the film earned Rs 95.3 crore nett in India on its first day, but witnessed a steep decline of over 43 percent, collecting only Rs 54 crore on its second day. This considerable dip was unexpected given the film’s high-profile cast and extensive promotional efforts.
Breaking down the numbers, the film’s Telugu version, which had a strong start with Rs 65.8 crore on the first day, experienced a sharp drop to Rs 25.65 crore on the second day. The occupancy rate for the Telugu version on Friday was 65.02 percent, indicating a significant fall in audience turnout. In total, the film has garnered Rs 149.3 crore nett in India so far. In other languages, the Kannada version earned Rs 35 lakh on the second day, while the Malayalam version collected Rs 2 crore on the same day.
Despite the decline, “Kalki 2898 AD” managed to secure Rs 55 crore excluding block seats in its booking collections in India, showcasing a strong pre-release interest. The film, set between the period of Mahabharata and the onset of Kali Yuga, focuses on Kalki, the 10th and final avatar of the Hindu deity Lord Vishnu. This intriguing premise, combined with high production values and an ensemble cast, had set the stage for a potential blockbuster.
Released in multiple languages including Telugu, Tamil, Hindi, Kannada, and Malayalam, “Kalki 2898 AD” was expected to perform well across different regions. Prabhas, who plays the role of Bhairava, a bounty hunter with aspirations to live in a complex ruled by Kamal Haasan’s character, delivered a compelling performance. Despite the initial setbacks, there is hope that the film might regain traction over the weekend and achieve substantial box office numbers.
The crucial question remains whether “Kalki 2898 AD” can surpass the Rs 500 crore benchmark. While the initial dip in collections has raised concerns, the weekend’s performance will be pivotal in determining the film’s overall success. With a strong marketing push and positive word of mouth, there is potential for the film to recover and reach the milestone. However, it will require a significant turnaround in audience turnout and sustained interest to achieve this feat. Also Read- Vicky Kaushal Breaks Silence on Pregnancy Rumours of Wife Katrina Kaif; Read Now!
As fans eagerly watch the film’s progress, the coming days will be crucial for “Kalki 2898 AD.” The film’s ability to resonate with audiences and generate sustained box office revenue will ultimately determine its place in the annals of Indian cinema. For now, the film industry and fans alike remain hopeful for a strong rebound and a successful run for this ambitious sci-fi project.
