Gadar 2 gives single-screen cinemas a much-needed boost
₹110-120 crore within India and global gross collections of ₹150 crore for the film. Gadar 2 has been lapped up in the Hindi heartland including Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and parts of central India in a welcome relief to such cinemas at a time of waning popularity of Bollywood films among mass-market viewers with several new releases considered to feature mostly urban, elitist themes.
Recent hits like Oppenheimer and Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani too, were mostly targeted at up-market, multiplex audiences. Gadar 2 clocked opening day collections of more than ₹39 crore, making it the second highest first-day grosser of 2023 after Shah Rukh Khan’s Pathaan ( ₹55 crore) and the ninth highest opening day grosser of all time among original Bollywood films.
“We’re humbled by the response which shows that the film is being celebrated like a festival. And all of this with the Independence Day holiday yet to come," Shariq Patel, chief business officer, Zee Studios, producers of the film said, adding that the movie has met its goal of serving as a community experience.
Single screen cinemas have even added shows as early as 1:00 am and 4:30 am to accommodate audiences. The film’s release happened just days after the Mumbai bench of the National Company Law Tribunal approved Sony Pictures Network India’s (Culver Max Entertainment) proposed merger with Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd (ZEEL).
Set during the Indo-Pakistan war of 1971, Gadar 2 has been directed by Anil Sharma and sees original actors Sunny Deol and Ameesha Patel reprising their roles. Bhumika Tewari, senior vice-president, acquisition and revenues (worldwide theatrical and non-theatrical) at ZEEL said the film is being shown in about 4,000 screens across India.
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