New Delhi: The Indian film industry celebrated Independence Day 2024 with a cinematic showdown, as three major films hit the theaters simultaneously. The horror-comedy ‘Stree 2’, the comedy-drama ‘Khel Khel Mein’, and the action-thriller ‘Vedaa’ all premiered to eager audiences. With expectations set sky-high and cinemas buzzing with activity, the big question loomed: which movie would come out on top in the box office battle?
To provide a comprehensive understanding of the weekend’s performances, we delved into the numbers and here is the detailed report card.
**Stree 2: The Undisputed Leader**
The much-anticipated sequel ‘Stree 2’ saw Shraddha Kapoor reprising her role, joined by an ensemble cast including Rajkummar Rao, Pankaj Tripathi, Abhishek Banerjee, and Aparshakti Khurana. The return of this beloved horror-comedy franchise generated immense excitement among fans.
According to Sacnilk reports, ‘Stree 2’ had a phenomenal start. On the first two days, it raked in an impressive ₹91.7 crore net in India, setting a new benchmark for female-led films. On its third day, the collections soared even higher, adding another ₹43.85 crore net, which brought the three-day total to a staggering ₹135.55 crore net.
Trade expert Rohit Jaiswal had foreseen the film’s potential, predicting a total box office collection of ₹300 crore. With its spectacular initial success, ‘Stree 2’ not only proved to be a crowd-puller but also managed to shatter several box office records along the way.
**Khel Khel Mein: A Decent Start**
‘Khel Khel Mein’, a comedy-drama directed by Mudassar Aziz, featured a star-studded lineup including Taapsee Pannu, Akshay Kumar, Ammy Virk, Vaani Kapoor, Fardeen Khan, Aditya Seal, and Chitraganda Singh. The movie managed to carve out its own niche in this competitive weekend.
On its first three days, ‘Khel Khel Mein’ garnered a total of ₹10.20 crore net in India. The film had a decent performance, averaging roughly ₹3.4 crore a day. By the third day, the film earned an additional ₹3.10 crore net.
. Although this comedy-drama did not reach the heights of ‘Stree 2’, it still achieved respectable numbers and found appreciation among its audience.
**Vedaa: Action Thriller Struggles but Stays Afloat**
Rounding out the trio is ‘Vedaa’, an action-thriller directed by Nikhil Advani, starring John Abraham and newcomer Sharvari Wagh. The film faced stiff competition but managed to stay in the race.
According to Sacnilk’s industry tracker, ‘Vedaa’ earned an estimated ₹8.1 crore net in India over its first two days. On the third day, it added another ₹2.45 crore net, bringing the three-day total to ₹10.55 crore net. Despite falling behind its competitors, ‘Vedaa’ managed a decent opening, thanks largely to John Abraham’s star power and Sharvari Wagh’s promising performance.
**The Verdict: Who Won the Showdown?**
By the close of the first weekend, it was clear that ‘Stree 2’ emerged as the triumphant leader, with an extraordinary ₹135.55 crore net collection. The film’s significant lead emphasized its mass appeal and box office dominance. ‘Khel Khel Mein’ and ‘Vedaa’, despite their decent performances, lagged considerably, earning ₹10.20 crore and ₹10.55 crore net respectively by the end of the weekend.
The unprecedented success of ‘Stree 2’ heralded it as not only a massive hit but also a hallmark moment for female-led films in the Indian cinema landscape. It reinforced the idea that well-crafted horror-comedy can draw audiences in droves. As the upcoming weeks unfold, the industry will be keenly watching to see if ‘Stree 2’ continues to maintain its meteoric rise or if either ‘Khel Khel Mein’ or ‘Vedaa’ can mount a comeback.
In conclusion, the Independence Day 2024 weekend was a cinematic celebration that highlighted varied genres and performances, bringing audiences back to theaters in large numbers. As ‘Stree 2’ sets new records, the film industry basks in the glow of this box office bonanza, anticipating what’s next on the horizon.
