Director Nag Ashwin's magnum opus Kalki 2898 AD has set a new benchmark in the box office, breaking records previously held by RRR and Salaar. The film stars Prabhas, Deepika Padukone, Amitabh Bachchan, and Kamal Haasan, and has achieved historic milestones since its release.
In a historic achievement for Indian cinema, Kalki 2898 AD shattered the North American premiere record, surpassing the previous record set by SS Rajamouli's RRR, which starred Ram Charan and Jr NTR. RRR was released on 10.2k screens and garnered $3 million from its premiere shows, making it the first Indian film to cross the $3 million mark. In comparison, Kalki 2898 AD was released on just 8.2k screens but has already grossed $3.5 million from its premiere shows, as announced by the film's producers on social media.
The film's success is not just limited to North America. In Hyderabad,
Kalki 2898 AD set the record for the highest opening day advance booking, with collections amounting to Rs 15.84 crore from 1,648 shows. This surpassed the previous records held by Salaar with Rs 12.11 crore and RRR with Rs 10.57 crore.
Fans and critics alike have been praising the film for its grandeur and performances. Amitabh Bachchan, who plays the immortal Ashwatthama, took to social media to share a cryptic post on patience amidst the film's release. His post read, "T 5054 - Patience !! धैर्य ! मनोकामना पूरी."
Also read: Prabhas’ Kalki 2898 AD sells record tickets in the US ahead of the grand opening
Interestingly, the film managed to hit these milestones despite being released on fewer screens, showcasing its immense popularity among audiences. According to reports, ticket prices for IMAX shows are around the $35 range, compared to $25 for RRR, which has contributed to the high box office earnings.
The domestic box office has also seen significant excitement around the film's release. Tickets for Kalki 2898 AD are being sold for as high as Rs 2,300 in cities like Mumbai. This pricing is not uncommon for big cities and multiplexes. Last year, Shah Rukh Khan's Jawan sold tickets priced as high as Rs 2,400, following the blockbuster success of Pathaan.
The governments of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana have responded to the immense anticipation surrounding Kalki 2898 AD by approving an increase in ticket prices and additional shows. According to government orders, ticket prices for single-screen theatres have been raised to Rs 75, while multiplexes can charge up to Rs 125. Additionally, an extra show per day has been approved, allowing five shows to be screened daily for up to 14 days post-release, instead of the usual four. This measure is expected to significantly boost the film's revenue.
Kalki 2898 AD now holds the all-time North America premiere record, crossing RRR. The Rebel Star Prabhas has created another benchmark and made history with this film, receiving widespread acclaim from audiences and industry experts alike. The film's impressive box office performance is a testament to its popularity and the anticipation it generated before its release.
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