Shattering all records: Baahubali 2 flexes muscles with Rs 125-cr opening

Rakes in Rs 125 cr net of tax on opening day, making it the most successful start at the box office

S S Rajmouli’s Baahubali 2: The Conclusion has taken the box office by storm as it raked in a massive Rs 125 crore on its first day at cinemas. To put this in perspective, the highest-earning Bollywood film this year has been Raees, which managed to earn Rs 139 crore since its release on January 25.

Baahubali 2, starring Prabhas, Rana Daggubati, Anushka Shetty and Tamannaah is the concluding part of the two-part special effects-infused period drama. The first part, released in 2015, became the highest grossing regional film ever, and ranked third on the highest-earning Indian movies list, behind only to PK and Dangal.

Released in 6,500 screens, the concluding part had the dual advantage of the hype of the first movie’s cliffhanger ending and the comparative lull at the cinemas with no big-ticket film releases since mid-March. However, the film has managed to not only outdo the first part in terms of collections, but has also exceeded expectations. Many had predicted the movie could touch the Rs 100-crore mark on Day One, but not the Rs 125 crore it has raked in. 

Of the total, a major chunk has come from the film’s ‘home state’ Andhra Pradesh, where it made Rs 53 crore (net after tax since it’s not tax-free despite being in the state’s native language). The dubbed versions also performed well — Tamil (Rs 14 crore) and Malayalam (Rs 6 crore). While the film was not dubbed in Kannada, it was screened extensively in Karnataka with shows in the original Telugu audio, and Tamil and Hindi dubs. It made Rs 11.5 crore in Karnataka. 

“The Andhra Pradesh government gave many incentives like increase in the number of shows allowed per day per screen from four to six, giving the movie 50 per cent more shows in its strongest market,” said an independent distributor. Adding, “The government also allowed exhibitors to increase ticket prices from Rs 70 to Rs 100 and Rs 150, depending upon location and city effectively providing an incremental benefit of 40 per cent and 100 per cent, respectively.” The Hindi version, marketed and distributed by Dharma Productions, saw a massive jump in the first day collections over the first part. Also distributed by Dharma, Baahubali: The Beginning netted Rs 5 crore on the first day for just the Hindi version.

 

The second part made Rs 40 crore on the first day of release. In fact, it got top place along with 2015 Salman Khan-starrer Prem Ratan Dhan Paayo, for the highest opening day collection for a Hindi language (dub or Bollywood) film. 

P V Sunil, CEO and director, Carnival Cinemas said, “We have never seen such a grand single day collections at Carnival Cinemas box office so far for any film. Baahubali 2 has broken all previous records of number of admits and occupancy per day at Carnival. The morning shows had 100 per cent occupancy. We had shows as early as 5.30 am in Bengaluru, which was houseful.”

He added the multiplex chain had 1,314 shows on Friday and will be increasing the number of shows for Saturday and Sunday, based on the demand for the film and the occupancy. This makes it the highest number of shows given to a film ever at Carnival.

While the reviews have been mixed to positive, the excitement around the film has ensured enough advance booking on the opening weekend (Rs 36 crore) and sustained word-of-mouth could mean the movie continues to break records and could even top the biggest grossers in India within its lifetime. The fact there are no major releases from India adds to its chances. Its only competition comes in the form of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2 next week (May 5). However, the audiences for the two films are very different.

Grand release

• With 6,500 screens, it is the widest release for an Indian film 

• Rs 36 crore: Heaviest advance booking in recent times 

• The highest opener in Bollywood (Prem Ratan Dhan Payo in 2015) is now tied with the Hindi version of Baahubali 2 at Rs 40 crore 

• Crosses the Rs 100-crore mark in just one day