The Indian box office on Friday, December 20, presented a dynamic picture with a major milestone being achieved and other big-ticket films showing promising growth. The day was dominated by the unstoppable run of the patriotic action drama 'Dhurandhar', which officially entered the coveted Rs 500 crore club domestically.
Dhurandhar's Historic Rs 500 Crore Milestone
Starring a powerhouse cast, 'Dhurandhar' continued its phenomenal run across the country. On its fourth Friday in theatres, the film added an estimated Rs 8.50 crore to its staggering total. This pushed its net collection in India past the monumental Rs 500 crore mark, a feat achieved by very few Indian films. The movie's total collection now stands at an impressive Rs 502.50 crore, cementing its status as a historic blockbuster of the year.
Hollywood's Avatar and Regional Powerhouse Show Growth
While 'Dhurandhar' ruled, other releases capitalized on the pre-Christmas weekend. James Cameron's much-anticipated sequel, 'Avatar: Fire and Ash', saw a significant uptick in its collections on its second Friday in India. The film earned approximately Rs 4.75 crore, a healthy growth from its weekdays, taking its total Indian net collection to around Rs 138.50 crore.
In the regional space, the Telugu action spectacle 'Akhanda 2' also witnessed strong growth. The film, featuring Balakrishna, collected an estimated Rs 3.25 crore on its second Friday. This performance increased its total India net collection to about Rs 95.25 crore, putting it on a steady path towards the Rs 100 crore milestone.
Other Notable Performances and Overall Scenario
The box office landscape on December 20 wasn't just about the top three. Other films contributed to a bustling theatrical environment:
- The Hindi comedy-drama 'Mere Dad Ki Dulhan' maintained a steady pace, adding roughly Rs 1.80 crore on its third Friday, taking its total to about Rs 42.75 crore.
- The horror-thriller 'Bhoot: Chapter 2' scared up an additional Rs 1.10 crore, reaching a total of approximately Rs 58.50 crore.
- The Tamil sci-fi film 'Kalki 2' remained in the mix with a collection of around Rs 0.85 crore, pushing its total to about Rs 187.25 crore in India.
The combined business of all films on December 20 highlighted a robust and diverse appetite among Indian cinema-goers, with big-budget spectacles and regional powerhouses drawing audiences in significant numbers.
The overall box office report for December 20 underscores a thriving period for the Indian film industry. With 'Dhurandhar' setting a new benchmark and other major films showing strong legs, the stage is set for a record-breaking holiday season at the turnstiles. All eyes are now on how these numbers will surge over the crucial Christmas weekend.
