New Delhi: This Independence Day 2024 saw three major releases lighting up the silver screens across India: the horror-comedy ‘Stree 2’, Akshay Kumar and Taapsee Pannu’s ‘Khel Khel Mein,’ and John Abraham and Sharvari Wagh’s action-thriller ‘Vedaa.’ With the theaters buzzing and numerous reviews rolling in, cinephiles and manufacturers alike are keen to know—who won the box office battle?
Here’s the first weekend’s report card, offering an in-depth look at the performances of these three feature films.
**Stree 2 Box Office Collection**
Shraddha Kapoor’s return in the horror-comedy franchise ‘Stree 2’ alongside Rajkummar Rao, Pankaj Tripathi, Abhishek Banerjee, and Aparshakti Khurana proved to be a monumental success. As anticipated by industry insiders, ‘Stree 2’ performed exceedingly well on its first two days in theaters, earning an estimated ₹ 91.7 Cr across India, according to Sacnilk reports. This film has set a new benchmark for female-led movies at the Indian box office, smashing all previous records.
The film’s winning formula seems to be its unique mix of horror and comedy, which not only continues to captivate the audience but also breaks the monotony of conventional genres. Trade Expert Rohit Jaiswal earlier predicted that ‘Stree 2’ would easily make its way to the Rs 300 crore club, owing to its strong narrative and stellar performances.
**Khel Khel Mein Box Office Collection**
Featuring an ensemble cast that includes Taapsee Pannu, Akshay Kumar, Ammy Virk, Vaani Kapoor, Fardeen Khan, Aditya Seal, and Chitrangada Singh, ‘Khel Khel Mein’ presents itself as a light-hearted comedy-drama directed by Mudassar Aziz. Though it had considerable star power and a dependable director at the helm, the film’s performance at the box office over the first three days was observed to be moderate. According to Sacnilk, ‘Khel Khel Mein’ managed to rake in an estimated ₹ 10.20 Cr India net during this period.
While comedy-dramas typically have a broad appeal, the film perhaps faced stiff competition from ‘Stree 2,’ which also caters to an audience looking for a light-hearted viewing experience with a twist of horror. Nevertheless, the movie carries strong performances and promises to sustain attention through word-of-mouth publicity in the weeks to come.
**Vedaa Box Office Collection**
Headlined by action star John Abraham and the fresh face Sharvari Wagh, Nikhil Advani’s ‘Vedaa’ entered the scene with high expectations. However, its initial performance at the box office was somewhat modest compared to the heavy competition it faced. Sacnilk reported that ‘Vedaa’ collected an estimated ₹ 8.1 Cr India net over its first two days in theaters.
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While its performance might look lukewarm at first glance, ‘Vedaa’ could potentially see a rise if the action-thriller draws in a steady fanbase over time. The film’s appeal largely lies in its action sequences and gripping narrative, which might gradually pull more viewers as it progresses through its theatrical run.
**Who Won The Showdown?**
The numbers inevitably speak for themselves. ‘Stree 2’ leads the pack with a formidable presence at the box office. The film earned an additional ₹ 43.85 Cr India net on its third day, culminating in a total collection of ₹ 135.55 Cr for the initial weekend. In contrast, ‘Vedaa’ managed to earn around ₹ 2.45 Cr India net on its third day, bringing its weekend total to ₹ 10.55 Cr. Meanwhile, ‘Khel Khel Mein’ earned about ₹ 3.10 Cr India net on its third day, bringing its overall weekend collection to a total of ₹ 13.30 Cr.
Conclusively, ‘Stree 2’ emerges as the clear winner in this box office showdown, showcasing its record-breaking success and grabbing the lion’s share of the market. Its phenomenal performance not only sets a new precedent for female-led films but also asserts the dominance of unique genre blends—combining horror and comedy in this case.
As the films continue their run in theaters, it will be intriguing to watch if ‘Khel Khel Mein’ and ‘Vedaa’ can catch up or if ‘Stree 2’ maintains its unwavering lead. Regardless, this Independence Day weekend has indeed proven to be a thrilling competition, offering an eclectic mix of genres and storylines for movie-goers to enjoy.
