Khel Khel Mein Box Office Collection Day 1: A Tepid Start for Akshay Kumar and Taapsee Pannu’s Latest Film
Khel Khel Mein, a comedy-drama featuring a star-studded cast including Akshay Kumar, Taapsee Pannu, Fardeen Khan, and Vaani Kapoor, was released on Independence Day.
Despite high expectations, the film faced a challenging release period, competing with John Abraham’s Vedaa and the eagerly awaited horror-comedy sequel Stree 2. Unfortunately, Khel Khel Mein struggled to make a significant impact at the box office on its opening day.
The Opening Day Struggles
On its debut, Khel Khel Mein collected a modest Rs 5 crore, according to Sacnilk’s early estimates. This performance marked a slow start for the film, especially when compared to the box office juggernaut Stree 2,
which raked in Rs 54 crore, including earnings from Wednesday previews. The stark contrast highlights the uphill battle Khel Khel Mein faced right out of the gate.
Occupancy Rates Reveal Mixed Reactions
The film’s overall occupancy rate for Hindi shows was 40.26% on its first day. The majority of viewers chose to watch the film during evening shows.
In Mumbai, where the film was screened across 352 shows, the occupancy was slightly better at 45.25%. Delhi and NCR, hosting 421 shows, saw an occupancy rate of 50.5%. Despite these figures, the film’s performance was overshadowed by the strong showings of its competitors.
Comparing with Recent Akshay Kumar Releases
While Khel Khel Mein didn’t set the box office on fire, it did manage to outperform some of Akshay Kumar’s recent flops.
Films like Sarfira (Rs 2.4 crore), Mission Raniganj (Rs 2.8 crore), Selfiee (Rs 2.5 crore), and BellBottom (Rs 2.7 crore) had even weaker openings. This minor victory might be small consolation for Kumar, whose post-pandemic filmography has struggled to find success.
The Clash with Stree 2 and Vedaa
The release of Khel Khel Mein was not without its challenges. It faced a three-way clash with two other major releases. Stree 2, with its massive fan following and anticipation, dominated the box office. Even Vedaa managed to outperform Khel Khel Mein, collecting Rs 6.52 crore on its opening day. The competition was fierce, and Khel Khel Mein found it difficult to maintain its early sales momentum.
Industry Reactions and Future Prospects
Despite the slow start, Khel Khel Mein received positive early reviews. However, reviews alone weren’t enough to drive significant box office numbers. With Stree 2 and Vedaa drawing much of the audience, Khel Khel Mein had a tough time capturing the attention of moviegoers.
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Akshay Kumar’s Continuing Struggle
For Akshay Kumar, this film adds to a challenging year. With several flops under his belt, including Sarfira and Bade Miyan Chote Miyan, Kumar has faced a tough post-pandemic period. However, the slightly better performance of Khel Khel Mein compared to his other recent films might offer a glimmer of hope.
Kumar’s cameo in Stree 2 is a small irony, considering the overwhelming success of that film compared to his own release.
Conclusion
Khel Khel Mein’s first day at the box office was less than stellar, with a modest Rs 5 crore in earnings. Despite a decent occupancy rate and better performance compared to some of Akshay Kumar’s recent flops, the film struggled against the might of Stree 2 and Vedaa. As the movie continues its run, it will need to show significant improvement to turn its fortunes around.
