The much-discussed film 'Anaconda', starring Paul Rudd and Jack Black, has failed to convert its online hype into substantial box office success in India. Early figures reveal a disappointing performance over its crucial opening weekend, particularly when compared to other major releases dominating cinemas.
Anaconda's Sluggish Box Office Journey
According to industry reports from Sacnilk, the film managed to collect only Rs 1 crore on its fourth day, which was Sunday. This follows a weak start where the movie opened with Rs 1.6 crore last Thursday. The collections saw a sharp decline to Rs 0.8 crore on Friday before a minor weekend recovery.
Saturday brought in Rs 1.05 crore, and with Sunday's estimated Rs 1 crore, the total domestic collection for the first four days stands at approximately Rs 4.45 crore. The occupancy rates, while showing a slight weekend rise, remained modest. The English version saw an 18.07% occupancy, Hindi was at 13.11%, while the Tamil shows led with 18.89% on Sunday.
Facing Stiff Competition from Giants
The film's release during the Christmas weekend provided little advantage as it faced overwhelming competition. The primary challenge came from the blockbuster Hindi spy thriller 'Dhurandhar', starring Ranveer Singh. This film has been on a golden run, dominating the box office and crossing the Rs 50 crore mark over its fourth weekend, leaving 'Anaconda' far behind.
Furthermore, the Hollywood giant 'Avatar: Fire and Ash' also outperformed 'Anaconda'. By its 10th day, the James Cameron film had amassed around Rs 10 crore in India, highlighting the stark difference in audience pull.
Why the Buzz Didn't Translate to Business
The project had initially surprised netizens and fans of classic cinema, generating significant online conversation about its fresh take on the genre. However, this pre-release buzz clearly did not translate into ticket sales. Analysts suggest that the crowded festive marketplace and the strong hold of established films like 'Dhurandhar' left little room for 'Anaconda' to find a foothold among Indian audiences.
The film's performance indicates that while novelty can create digital chatter, it requires strong word-of-mouth and strategic release timing to achieve commercial success in a competitive landscape like India's.
