Varun Dhawan’s latest release, “Baby John”, which hit theaters on Christmas Day, opened to decent numbers, collecting ₹11 crore on its first day. Benefiting from the holiday and advance bookings, the film initially appeared promising. However, it has seen a steep decline in box office collections since Day 2.
Box Office Performance
- Opening Day (Christmas): ₹11 crore
- Total Earnings (India) by Day 9: ₹35.58 crore
- Wednesday (Day 8): ₹2.75 crore
- Tuesday (December 31): ₹2.15 crore
- Thursday Morning (Day 9): ₹18 lakh
Despite the New Year holiday, Baby John failed to gain momentum, with collections stagnating. As of Thursday afternoon, the total earnings reflect a film struggling to attract audiences.
Challenges Faced
- Reduced Screens and Shows:
Due to its lackluster performance, the film has been removed from many single-screen theaters, and the number of shows has been significantly reduced. - Competition from Other Films:
- “Pushpa 2” continues to dominate with its massive global earnings, nearing ₹1800 crore worldwide.
- Disney’s “Mufasa: The Lion King” is also outperforming, having earned ₹122.1 crore so far.
- Underwhelming Audience Reception:
Despite the star power of Varun Dhawan, Keerthy Suresh, and Wamiqa Gabbi, the film has failed to leave a lasting impression on viewers. Mixed reviews and limited word-of-mouth have hindered its growth.
Projected Worldwide Collection
With its current trajectory, Baby John is expected to end its theatrical run with a worldwide collection of approximately ₹60 crore. This performance falls short of expectations for a film released during the lucrative holiday season.
The Road Ahead
For Varun Dhawan and the makers of Baby John, the film’s disappointing performance highlights the growing challenges of competing in an industry dominated by high-stakes blockbusters like “Pushpa 2”. Moving forward, it remains to be seen how the actor and the production house adapt to meet audience expectations in future projects.
