"I am confident that the film will cross Rs. 30 Crore"
Akshay Kumar’s Sooryavanshi (2021) has broken box office records on its opening day.
The crime drama, which also stars Katrina Kaif, Ranveer Singh and Ajay Devgn, was released on Friday, November 5, 2021.
It has already surpassed all expectations by earning Rs 26 Crore (£2.5 million) on its first day despite mixed reviews from critics.
This has made it Bollywood’s biggest ever opening following the Covid-19 pandemic.
The movie’s success is also extra impressive as around half of all cinemas in Maharashtra remain closed.
Additionally, it is notable that Maharashtra, the home of Mumbai, is the second most populated state in India after Uttar Pradesh.
Renowned film critic Taran Adarsh said:
“It is an amazing start, more so because if you look at the 50% occupancy still in force in Maharashtra, which is the largest market for the movie business, contributing 35-40% of the film industry’s earnings.
“I am confident that the film will cross Rs. 30 Crore [£3 million], which is fantabulous.”
Various cinemas across Mumbai also reportedly had to put on last minute, post-midnight showings of Sooryavanshi due to its popularity.
The movie is the fourth part of director Rohit Shetty’s ‘Cop Universe’ and features Akshay Kumar playing an Indian Anti-Terrorism Squad Chief.
His character, DCP Veer Sooryavanshi, was introduced towards the end of Simmba (2018) which starred Ranveer Singh.
The actor celebrated the response to his latest movie and thanked fans for their support by posting a goofy video on his Instagram.
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He added the caption: “Pardon the goofy gig, am overjoyed! Thank you SO much for embracing cinemas back in your lives.
“The super response is not just for Team Sooryavanshi, it is a mark of faith that’ll bring joy and prosperity back in our film industry.
“We are nothing without you. Sheer gratitude.”
Meanwhile, Amitabh Bachchan has shared how impressed he was by the stunts in the movie but warned Kumar not to do them again.
He made the comments when Akshay Kumar, Katrina Kaif and Rohit Shetty took part in Kaun Banega Crorepati 13.
Shetty explained: “If you watch the film, you will realise.
“What we did was, we harnessed the bike because it would fall otherwise. His job was to hold the ramp of the chopper.
“The chopper will take off a bit and then we will cut the shot, harness him and then take the next shot.
“We were shooting in Bangkok, I have no idea when he had a word with the pilot.
“He left the bike, held onto the ramp and the chopper took off. He is without a harness in that shot.
“We were all left watching and wondering what has happened.”
Bachchan was clearly impressed and replied: “Wow!”
Shetty added: “Luckily, my cameraman followed, what you see in the film, that is a real shot. There is no harness.”
Kumar said: “I would just say not to try. It was quite stupid.”
The show’s host then warned Kumar: “Sir, do not do it again, ever. This is very difficult.”
Sooryavanshi is screening at cinemas across the UK now.
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