Sunny Deol’s recently released film Batwara 1947 has completed its first week at the Indian box office with a total collection of around Rs. 29 crore nett. Directed by Rajkumar Santoshi, the film added Rs. 1 crore on Day 7, which was around a 10 per cent drop compared with the previous day.
The film had a mixed start at the box office and has not been able to maintain strong collections during the week. Despite featuring Sunny Deol along with Preity Zinta, Shabana Azmi, Karan Deol and other actors, the film has struggled to attract audiences in large numbers.
Based on the current collection trend, Batwara 1947 is expected to finish its theatrical run somewhere around Rs. 40 to 45 crore nett in India. If the film ends within this range, it would be considered a disappointing box office result considering the expectations surrounding the project and the names attached to it.
The film is backed by Aamir Khan Productions and was developed after the success of Gadar 2, which brought Sunny Deol back into the centre of attention after a long period. Batwara 1947 also has a Partition backdrop and includes elements aimed at a mass audience.
However, the film takes a different approach from the Gadar franchise. In Batwara 1947, Sunny Deol plays a Pakistani character who tries to protect a Hindu woman and her religion. This is different from the more direct conflict seen in Gadar 2, where his character Tara Singh takes on Pakistan in a much more aggressive manner.
The difference in the central character and story may have affected the film’s connection with its core audience. While Batwara 1947 has familiar mass elements, it has not received the same level of response that Sunny Deol’s previous blockbuster received.
Batwara 1947 Day Wise Box Office Collections
Day Box Office
Day 1 Rs. 5.00 crore
Day 2 Rs. 12.25 crore
Day 3 Rs. 6.50 crore
Day 4 Rs. 1.40 crore
Day 5 Rs. 1.75 crore
Day 6 Rs. 1.10 crore
Day 7 Rs. 1.00 crore
Total Rs. 29 crore
With the opening week now complete, Batwara 1947 will need a noticeable improvement in collections during its second week if it is to move closer to the Rs. 40 to 45 crore mark.