Performing extremely well at the box office, the Hrithik Roshan and Tiger Shroff starrer War has finally crossed the Rs 300 crore mark. The film has become first Hindi film of 2019 to achieve this feat by earning nearly Rs 304 crore yesterday on Sunday, its 19th day.
Film experts say War’s release date, Gandhi Jayanti and later Navratri and Dussehra festivals, played a huge role in its stellar earnings. The film also got the benefit of an extended weekend (from Wednesday to Sunday).
While the film was released along Telugu film Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy and Hollywood flick Joker, the film was pitted against Priyanka Chopra and Farhan Akhtar starrer The Sky Is Pink in its second week. The latter, while being appreciated by the critics, failed to attract the audience to the cinema halls.
War was faced with Saif Ali Khan starrer Laal Kaptaan and Angelina Jolie starrer Maleficent: Mistress of Evil on its third Friday. Both the films opened to disappointing numbers at the box office. Laal Kaptaan could earn only Rs 50 lakh and Maleficent: Mistress of Evil managed to earn slightly more with Rs 70 lakh while War’s collection continued to grow.
War has also broken the box office record of Salman Khan’s 2016 release Sultan and Ranveer Snigh’s 2018 release Padmaavat. While Sultan had recorded a lifetime collection of Rs 300.45 crore, and Padmaavat earned Rs 302.15 crore, War earned nearly Rs 304 crore on Sunday and became sixth highest grosser so far.
The other top six Hindi grossers ahead of War are — Baahubali 2 [Hindi] (no. 1), Dangal (no. 2) , Sanju (no. 3), PK (no. 4) , Tiger Zinda Hai (no. 5), Bajrangi Bhaijaan (no. 6).
The film is expected to do well till Diwali when three other films Housefull 4, Made In China, and Saankh Ki Aankh are getting released.
War has collected a total of Rs 413 crore (including overseas collection) so far, making it the most successful film of Hrithik, Tiger and Vaani Kapoor’s careers.
Film analyst and critic Taran Adarsh says, “Tent pole / event / big ticket films are a must. They get the numbers. They drive the audience [in hordes] to movie halls. They contribute to ticket sales and footfalls. They infuse confidence in the financial sector. Also, they pave way for mid-range and metro-centric films, in the process.”
Seeing the super success of War, it seems the audience can expect a sequel.