Shah Rukh Khan's much-anticipated movie, "Dunki," hit the big screens on December 21, making an impressive Rs 35 crore on its first day. Despite facing tough competition from Prabhas' "Salaar," released just a day later, Dunki managed to captivate audiences across India, especially in key regions like Maharashtra, Delhi, and West Bengal, raking in Rs 1.81 crore, Rs 1.55 crore, and Rs 1.22 crore, respectively, on the opening day.
The film's success can be attributed to its festive release, Shah Rukh Khan's enduring star power, and the positive feedback from both critics and audiences, who appreciated the storyline and the return of director Rajkumar Hirani after a hiatus.
However, while Dunki showed promising performance at the box office, initial reports indicate that Salaar has taken the lead in terms of audience preference. Prabhas' crime-thriller garnered Rs 12.67 crore in contrast to Dunki's Rs 10.26 crore on the opening day.
The clash between the two films has sparked intense interest, leading to behind-the-scenes maneuvering with the Dunki team expressing a preference not to share screens with Salaar. This battle for box office supremacy intensifies as both movies continue their theatrical run.
While it's too early to label Dunki as a hit, its strong start and positive reviews have set a hopeful tone. The film's fate will unfold as it remains in theaters, and audience reactions will play a crucial role in determining its ultimate success. The competition between Dunki and Salaar is set to be an engaging spectacle, defining the trajectory of these much-anticipated releases in the days to come.