The much-anticipated Kannada film '45', featuring veteran stars Upendra and Shivarajkumar, has hit a speed bump at the box office as it completes its first week in theatres. The film, directed by Arjun Janya, witnessed a noticeable slowdown in its collections on the seventh day, indicating a dip in audience footfall after a promising start.
Week One Box Office Performance: A Detailed Breakdown
According to data compiled from industry tracker Sacnilk, the film's performance has been on a downward trend after the initial weekend. '45' earned an estimated Rs 12.9 crore India net in its first six days. On its seventh day, which was December 31, the collections dipped further, adding approximately Rs 55 lakhs to its kitty.
This brings the total India net collection for the first week to Rs 13.45 crore. The worldwide gross collection for the same seven-day period is reported to be Rs 15.85 crore, which is also the figure for the India gross. The day-wise collections after the opening weekend show a clear decline: Day 4 (Sunday) brought in Rs 1.95 crore, followed by Rs 85 lakhs on Day 5 (Monday) and Rs 65 lakhs on Day 6 (Tuesday).
Occupancy Rates Reflect the Downturn
The declining interest is starkly visible in the theatre occupancy numbers for Karnataka on December 31. The film managed an overall Kannada occupancy of only 11.24%. A breakdown of the day's shows reveals a consistently low turnout:
- Morning shows: 7.83% occupancy
- Afternoon shows: 13.20% occupancy
- Evening shows: 12.12% occupancy
- Night shows: 11.79% occupancy
These numbers are a significant drop from the occupancy levels seen during the opening weekend, when audience curiosity was at its peak.
The Storyline and Audience Reception
Directed by Arjun Janya, '45' had generated considerable buzz due to its unique premise and the powerhouse pairing of Shivarajkumar and Upendra. The story revolves around Vinay, played by Raj B Shetty, a 29-year-old software engineer. A seemingly mundane event—jumping a red light that lasts 45 seconds—triggers a catastrophic accident involving a dog and a truck, which turns out to be a nightmare.
However, this nightmare becomes the catalyst for an all-consuming obsession with death for the protagonist, taking the narrative into psychological thriller territory. While the film's concept aimed to explore deep-seated fears, the box office numbers suggest it may have struggled to translate its high-concept storyline into sustained mass appeal beyond the initial days.
The coming days will be crucial for '45' to see if it can stabilize its collections or if the downward trend continues, especially with new releases competing for screen space and audience attention. The film's performance is being closely watched by industry observers as a barometer for star-driven, concept-based cinema in the Kannada film industry.
