Kamal Haasan’s “Indian 2” Dominates Box Office on Opening Day, Earns ₹26 Crore Despite Mixed Reviews

In a highly anticipated comeback, veteran actor Kamal Haasan has returned to the silver screen with the long-awaited sequel to his 1996 cult classic, “Indian.” Titled “Indian 2,” the film hit theaters on July 13th, 2024, and has already made a significant impact at the box office, despite facing a mixed critical reception.

According to industry tracker Sacnilk, the pan-Indian film managed to rake in an impressive ₹26 crore on its opening day, with the Tamil version accounting for ₹17 crore, the Telugu version (known as “Bharateeyudu 2”) contributing ₹7.9 crore, and the Hindi version (titled “Hindustani 2”) earning ₹1.1 crore. This strong performance not only surpassed the opening-day collections of Akshay Kumar’s “Sarfira,” which collected ₹2.40 crore in the Hindi market, but also managed to hold its own against the ongoing box office juggernaut, “Kalki 2898 AD.”

“Indian 2” is a sequel to the 1996 vigilante action film “Indian,” which was directed by S. Shankar and starred Kamal Haasan in the iconic role of Senapathy, a corruption-fighting vigilante armed with the ancient Indian martial art of “varma kalai.” The sequel, which has been in the works for nearly two decades, reunites Haasan with Shankar, who has co-written the script along with B. Jeyamohan, Kabilan Vairamuthu, and Lakshmi Saravana Kumar.

The Comeback of a Cult Classic

The release of “Indian 2” marks a significant comeback for both Kamal Haasan and director Shankar. Haasan, fondly known as the “Ulaganayagan” (Universal Hero) in the Tamil film industry, has been a dominant force in Indian cinema for decades, with a filmography that boasts of critically acclaimed and commercially successful titles such as “Vishwaroopam,” “Vikram,” and “Kalki 2898 AD.”

However, the actor’s last outing, “Vishwaroopam II,” which released in 2018, underperformed at the box office, leading to concerns about his box office draw. The anticipation surrounding “Indian 2” was further heightened by the fact that it has been 18 years since the release of the first installment, and fans have been eagerly awaiting the return of the iconic Senapathy character.

For director Shankar, “Indian 2” represents a comeback of sorts as well. The filmmaker, known for his grand, larger-than-life productions, had seemingly hit a low after the passing of his frequent collaborator, writer Sujatha, in 2008. The Shankar-Sujatha duo had delivered several blockbusters in the Tamil film industry, including “Enthiran,” “Mudhalvan,” and the original “Indian.”

Mixed Reviews, but Impressive Box Office Performance

Despite the high expectations and the star power of Kamal Haasan, “Indian 2” has received a mixed critical reception. While the film has been praised for its visual grandeur and Haasan’s powerful performance, it has also been criticized for its heavy-handed political messaging and a perceived lack of depth in its narrative.

In its review, News18 stated that the film “lacks the freshness of [the original] Indian and the makers try their best to make the canvas, magnitude, and scale bigger and better. Unfortunately, the film loses itself in its own ambitions. And while it stays true to its larger-than-life feel, dramatic tonality, and flamboyance, that also becomes a weak link for Hindustani 2.”

However, the impressive box office performance of “Indian 2” on its opening day suggests that the film has managed to strike a chord with the audience, who have been eagerly awaiting Haasan’s return to the big screen.

Facing Stiff Competition, but Holding Its Own

The release of “Indian 2” coincided with the debut of Akshay Kumar’s “Sarfira,” a remake of the Tamil film “Soorarai Pottru.” While “Sarfira” managed to collect ₹2.40 crore on its opening day in the Hindi market, it was overshadowed by the overwhelming performance of “Indian 2” in the same segment.

Moreover, “Indian 2” is also facing competition from the ongoing box office success of “Kalki 2898 AD,” the pan-Indian dystopian sci-fi epic directed by Nag Ashwin. The film, which features a star-studded cast including Prabhas, Amitabh Bachchan, and Deepika Padukone, has already grossed over ₹548.60 crore in India alone in its first three weeks of release.

Despite this stiff competition, “Indian 2” has managed to carve out a significant space for itself at the box office, particularly in the Tamil and Telugu markets, where it has emerged as the clear winner on its opening day.

The Road Ahead for “Indian 2”

The strong opening-day performance of “Indian 2” has set the stage for a potentially successful run at the box office. However, the film’s long-term prospects will largely depend on how it fares in the coming days and weeks, as it faces continued competition from other major releases.

One factor that could work in favor of “Indian 2” is the nostalgia factor, as the original “Indian” film has a dedicated fan base who are eager to see the return of the Senapathy character. Additionally, the film’s strong brand recognition and the star power of Kamal Haasan could help it maintain its momentum, even in the face of mixed reviews.

Ultimately, the success of “Indian 2” will be determined by its ability to connect with audiences and sustain its box office performance in the weeks to come. As the film continues its theatrical run, all eyes will be on its ability to capitalize on its strong opening-day numbers and emerge as a box office triumph for Kamal Haasan and the team behind this highly anticipated sequel.

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