The much-anticipated Varun Dhawan-starrer “Baby John”, directed by Kalees and presented by Atlee, hit theatres on December 25. The film, which also stars Keerthy Suresh and Wamiqa Gabbi, is a Hindi remake of the Tamil blockbuster Theri, which originally featured Vijay in the lead role. Despite opening on a holiday and receiving mixed reviews, “Baby John” managed to garner decent box office numbers on its first day.
Baby John Box Office Collection Day 1
As per early estimates reported by Sacnilk.com, “Baby John” collected ₹12.5 crore on its opening day, with a reported Hindi occupancy rate of 24.53% on Wednesday. However, the film’s first-day earnings have failed to surpass the opening day collection of Theri, which made ₹13.1 crore in Tamil Nadu alone.
Pushpa 2, starring Allu Arjun, continues to dominate the box office even in its third week, collecting ₹20.7 crore on the same day. This fierce competition has impacted Baby John‘s ability to shine brighter during its opening.
Holiday Boost and Future Expectations
Given its release during the holiday season, Baby John is expected to gain traction over the extended weekend. With festive celebrations in full swing, family audiences might contribute to a steadier box office performance in the coming days.
Critical Reception
The film opened to mixed reviews, with critics praising certain performances but calling out flaws in execution. An excerpt from the Hindustan Times review highlights:
“The film starts off on a very choppy note, and there’s no soul for about 40 minutes. There’s no sense of direction, and the cute girl bossing around her dad has no effect.”
While Atlee’s signature style of incorporating dual roles and social messages is evident, the execution has drawn comparisons to his previous works, particularly Jawan.
Competition and Challenges
The film faces stiff competition, not just from Pushpa 2, but also from holiday releases vying for audience attention. Furthermore, being a remake of Theri, Baby John was bound to draw comparisons, which might have influenced audience expectations and reception.
Cast and Production
“Baby John” boasts a star-studded cast:
- Varun Dhawan as the lead
- Keerthy Suresh and Wamiqa Gabbi in pivotal roles
- Jackie Shroff and Rajpal Yadav in supporting roles
- Salman Khan in a cameo appearance
The film, produced by Atlee, combines action, thriller, and drama elements, staying true to its Tamil roots while attempting to cater to a wider Hindi-speaking audience.
Despite mixed reviews, Baby John has made a decent opening at the box office. Its fate will depend largely on word-of-mouth and how it capitalizes on the holiday season. While it has started on a modest note, the coming days will determine whether the film can hold its ground amid tough competition.
Did You Know?
- Baby John marks another collaboration between director Kalees and producer Atlee, following the success of Jawan.
- The film’s story explores themes of revenge, family dynamics, and societal issues, making it a mix of high-octane action and emotional drama.
Stay tuned for updates on the film’s box office performance and audience reactions in the days to come!
