Can Bollywood Break the Rs. 1,000 Crore Barrier Before Pushpa 2?

With Diwali around the corner, cinema lovers are gearing up for a massive clash at the box office. Two highly anticipated films, Singham Again and Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, are set to release during the festive season. Traditionally, films releasing during festivals have the advantage of a larger audience turnout. But since the COVID-19 pandemic, audience preferences have shifted towards selective, quality entertainment rather than flocking to random releases. While advance bookings haven’t opened yet, there's high anticipation for both films to rake in substantial earnings.

The big question remains: can these two films collectively break the Rs. 1,000 crore mark in global revenue? The idea isn’t far-fetched, given the immense hype surrounding both releases. Last year, Pathaan became the first film to cross this milestone, creating a new benchmark in the industry. Although some recent big-budget releases, like Bade Miyan Chote Miyan, fell short, trade experts believe that Allu Arjun’s Pushpa 2 has strong potential to hit the mark, especially after the success of its first installment in Hindi-speaking markets.

Interestingly, a section of industry insiders believes that Singham Again and Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 could also enter this coveted club. Both trailers have generated excitement, and with family-friendly content in contrasting genres, they offer something for everyone. This dual appeal might eliminate any hesitation from audiences, who could flock to theaters in large numbers.

However, the real test begins post-weekend, when the Diwali buzz begins to taper off. Singham Again, in particular, is expected to bring energetic single-screen crowds who come to cheer on their heroes. If the films can maintain a steady 100% occupancy for two weeks, reaching Rs. 1,000 crore might just be possible. Initial predictions suggest that a first-day collection of around Rs. 50-60 crore for both films combined would be ideal. All eyes are now on the advance booking phase to see if these films can make history.