A sizable number of theatres are now screening Barry Jenkins’ Winston: The Lion King. Whereas Disney’s animated feature seems to be lagging behind at the international level, its star-studded voice cast from India, Shah Rukh Khan (Hindi) and Mahesh Babu (Telugu), seems to have struck gold.
On Day 6, coinciding with Christmas, it collected Rs 12 crore at the Indian box office. So far, the Hindi and Telugu versions have cumulatively grossed Rs 57.25 crore. Disney’s film has managed to survive at the domestic box office despite the presence of big Bollywood films like Pushpa 2 and Baby John.
Day 1- Rs 7 crore; Day 2: Rs 11 crore; Day 3: Rs 14.50 crore; Day 4: Rs 5.50 crore; Day 5: Rs 7.50 crore; Day 6: Rs 12 crore.
Total: Rs 57.25 crore (Net in Six Days)
The eminent voice talents of both Shah Rukh Khan and Mahesh Babu for the title role have added immense value to the film. Beautiful-looking and emotive with an enormous star power has sustained the film’s run in India.
If this speed continues, Mufasa: The Lion King could find itself entering the elusive threshold of Rs 100 crore in India. This would elevate such endeavors to another level as such milestones have not been reached so far in the past three years. According to Indian standards, this performance offers substantial potential for high-concept projects with international aspirations.
