Pushpa 2: The Rule: 'We expect about one million footfalls on Day 1 itself,' says CEO of PVR, Gautam Dutta, Exclusive

Mr. Gautam Dutta on Pushpa 2

Pushpa 2: The Rule, the much-awaited sequel to the blockbuster film Pushpa: The Rise, is all set to hit theatres on December 5, 2024. With Allu Arjun and Rashmika Mandanna in the lead roles, the film has already created a massive buzz, making it one of the most anticipated films of 2024. Advance bookings for the movie began on November 30, and tickets are selling out fast.

In a major milestone, Pushpa 2 has already breached the Rs 50-crore mark in advance bookings, with 1 million tickets sold on BookMyShow. This impressive feat has smashed records set by blockbusters such as Kalki 2898 AD, Baahubali 2: The Conclusion, and KGF: Chapter 2 in pre-sales, according to the latest trade reports.

In an exclusive conversation with MoneyControl.com, Gautam Dutta, CEO of PVR, speaks about the much-anticipated release, box office trends, PVR's role in handling the massive expectations surrounding the film and much more.

Gautam Dutta reveals PVR has already recorded 4,80,000 bookings for Day 1 (Thursday). "We are expecting that number to reach approximately 7 lakh by the following day. We believe that we will get to about one million footfalls on Thursday itself, which is 10 lakh people. The other way to put it is 10 Eden Gardens full at PVR," he said.

For the entire weekend (Thursday to Sunday), PVR projects a footfall of around 55 to 60 lakh, estimating that Pushpa 2 will draw around 1.3 to 1.4 crore footfalls throughout its theatrical run.

But how does Pushpa 2 compare to other major releases like Baahubali 2, RRR, and KGF 2? Dutta remains cautiously optimistic. "We are in the business where we get very excited with good content. Pushpa definitely has all the ingredients to really make it big," he said.

The film has all the right components for success, including a stellar cast, a captivating story, great music, and an extensive marketing campaign. Moreover, Pushpa 2 has ensured no direct competition with other major releases in the coming weeks, positioning itself to capitalise on a wide audience base.

"If the content connects with audiences, we have no reason to doubt that Pushpa 2 could become the biggest film of the year or the century," Dutta added.

In a strategic move, Chhaava avoided clashing with Pushpa 2 by picking a different release date. Dutta commended both parties for their foresight. "Why would somebody want to clash with Pushpa? It's one of the biggest films of the year, and Chhaava, the way it's looking, is also looking brilliant," he explained.

This decision allowed Pushpa 2 to have an open release, benefiting both films by maximising their potential audience. "It's a happy news. It's something that we really encourage, and I think it's a very wise decision by both the parties, and hopefully both the films will benefit hugely out of this move," Dutta added.

With the enormous expectations surrounding Pushpa 2, PVR is fully prepared to handle the high footfall. "We get this kind of unprecedented rush once every two months," shared Dutta. PVR has made sure that all systems are in place to manage the anticipated surge, with teams geared up to handle online bookings, promotions, and marketing efficiently.

Also read: Can Pushpa 2: The Rule (Hindi) BEAT KGF: Chapter 2 (Hindi) in opening day box office collection?

To enhance the customer experience, new measures are being introduced, including digital food kiosks where moviegoers can order food that will be delivered directly to their seats, in case of long queues. "Housekeeping staff has been told to turn around the cleaning of the auditoriums much quicker, faster, with embellishments of extra manpower on ground," he added. Additionally, PVR has stocked up on popcorn and other snacks, ensuring that logistics are in place for a smooth movie-going experience.

Pushpa 2 is a pan-India release that will be released in multiple languages, including Telugu, Kannada, Bengali, Tamil, Hindi, and Malayalam. Directed by Sukumar, the film also stars Fahadh Faasil in a crucial role and promises even more intense action and drama compared to its predecessor.