Nani's latest opens strong but sees a sharp dip, and Sidharth Malhotra‑Tamannaah duo aims to bounce back as competition looms next week.
Nani’s action‑drama The Paradise opened to a solid Thursday, pulling in Rs 34.65 crore net across India after a paid‑preview day that fetched Rs 11.60 crore, according to the Free Press Journal. The momentum, however, stalled on Friday – the film earned just Rs 14.90 crore net, a dip the outlet expected given the mixed critical response.
Analysts now eye Saturday’s numbers. Early estimates suggest the film could net between Rs 12 crore and Rs 14 crore, which would push its domestic total to roughly Rs 73‑75 crore. A stronger footfall in night shows could push the figure higher, but the trend points toward a gradual decline.
The overseas picture adds another layer. Sacnilk data, cited by the same source, puts the overseas gross at Rs 25 crore, taking the worldwide tally to just under Rs 98 crore. With a reported budget of Rs 200 crore, the film still has a long way to go to break even, prompting industry watchers to wonder if the opening weekend will be enough to sustain it.
Critics have been lukewarm. The Free Press Journal gave the movie 1.5 stars, praising its visual flair for Nani fans but calling the narrative “not‑so‑relevant” and “slightly unbelievable.” The reviewer warned that viewers averse to heavy violence and thin plot might skip it altogether.
Across town, The Vvaan – the Sidharth Malhotra‑Tamannaah Bhatia venture – is fighting its own uphill battle. The film debuted on Friday with a Rs 8 crore net opening, as reported by the same outlet. Mixed reviews have followed, and the director Deepak Kumar Mishra’s effort is being judged against a modest budget of around Rs 80 crore.
Saturday’s projection is modest: Rs 8‑9 crore, which would bring the two‑day total to Rs 16‑17 crore. The film’s fate is further complicated by the imminent arrival of Drishyam: The Conclusion, a high‑profile Ajay Devgn‑Tabu project slated for release next Friday. That heavyweight will likely siphon audiences, making a weekend surge crucial for The Vvaan.
The Free Press Journal’s review gave The Vvaan 2.5 stars, noting its intriguing premise and striking visuals but criticizing Mishra’s direction as uneven. The piece concluded that fans of Malhotra would find it worth a watch, but the film may not sustain repeat viewings.
Both movies illustrate a familiar pattern in the Indian market: a strong opening driven by star power, followed by a rapid correction when word‑of‑mouth turns tepid. For The Paradise, the next few days will determine whether it can stabilize or continue sliding toward the low‑budget side of its Rs 200 crore bill. For The Vvaan, a weekend lift could buy it breathing room before the October blockbuster crowd arrives.
The coming Saturday will be a litmus test. If The Paradise manages to hold above Rs 12 crore, it may still have a fighting chance to claw back some ground. If The Vvaan can push past the Rs 9 crore mark, it could at least secure a respectable opening weekend before the market gets crowded.
Either way, the box‑office drama is far from over, and the next set of numbers will shape the narrative for both films as they navigate a packed release calendar.
Box‑office snapshot
- The Paradise: Thursday Rs 34.65 crore, Friday Rs 14.90 crore, projected Saturday Rs 12‑14 crore, worldwide Rs 97.5 crore.
- The Vvaan: Friday Rs 8 crore, projected Saturday Rs 8‑9 crore, two‑day total Rs 16‑17 crore.
What to watch: Saturday’s collections and the impact of Drishyam: The Conclusion on early October releases.
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