The highly anticipated Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone starrer, “Fighter,” has encountered a below-average start at the Indian box office. Despite initial expectations of a Rs 20 crore opening day, early trends suggest a range of Rs 19 to 21 crore. Directed by Siddharth Anand, the film, known for its aerial action genre, has witnessed reasonable success in metros but has fallen short in mass belts, deviating from conventional hand-to-hand combat and gun fights.

Fighter Box Office Collections on First Day:

“Fighter” managed to secure Rs 12 crore in national chains, with top 3 chains—PVR, Inox, and Cinepolis—contributing around 55 to 57 percent to the total business. Unfortunately, non-national chains like Rajhans, MovieMax, and Miraj struggled to make an impact on the opening day. The film now looks to compensate for this with strong growth anticipated on Republic Day.

Prospects for Republic Day:

While the initial talk surrounding the film is positive, especially in urban centers, “Fighter” aims for a significant jump on Republic Day. The advances for the upcoming day show promise, surpassing those of the opening day. To secure its position, the film needs to exhibit substantial movement in spot bookings, targeting a collection in the range of Rs 35.00 to 40.00 crore on the second day.

Weekend Projections:

The weekend becomes crucial for “Fighter,” with expectations of scoring at least Rs 100 crore over the three-day period. This would place the extended weekend total around the Rs 120 crore mark. The film’s success hinges on maintaining steady collections on Monday to consolidate its position in the box office race.

Challenges Faced:

The music of “Fighter” failed to resonate with audiences, denting the opening day prospects by approximately 20 percent. Ideally, Republic Day would have provided better momentum for the film. However, the positive initial reports from urban centers offer hope for the film’s longevity. With no significant competition in the coming month, “Fighter” has the potential to recover from its initial setback.

The jump on Republic Day is poised to be the first indicator of the film’s trajectory in the long run. The absence of competition in the following month could work in favor of “Fighter” if it manages to captivate the audience with its content. The film has the opportunity to make up for its initial shortfall and establish a stronghold in the box office.

As “Fighter” navigates the challenges of its opening days, the coming Republic Day holds the key to its success. With positive early reports from urban centers and no immediate competition, the film has the potential for a sustained run at the box office. The audience’s response on Republic Day will serve as a crucial barometer for the film’s journey in the weeks to come.