Early estimates suggest that Kangana Ranaut's highly anticipated political drama Emergency had a slow start at the box office. Despite generating considerable excitement around her directorial debut, the film's premiere has not met expectations. Set against a pivotal moment in Indian history, Emergency offers a compelling drama.
However, it seems the film hasn't attracted as many viewers as anticipated during its premiere. While fans were eager to see Ranaut's bold portrayal, the response has been underwhelming so far. It remains to be seen whether word of mouth can turn the tide.
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Emergency, which was released in theaters on January 17, earned an estimated Rs 2.35 crore on its opening day, according to industry tracker Sacnillk. Despite a lukewarm reception, the film marks a significant milestone for Ranaut, becoming her biggest Hindi opener since the COVID-19 pandemic.
Her previous film, Tejas, debuted with Rs 1.25 crore, but Emergency has already surpassed that, exceeding industry analysts' expectations. Reports from Mint and Pinkvilla had predicted earnings between Rs 1-2 crore, making the actual collection approximately 36% higher than anticipated.
Emergency had an overall Hindi occupancy rate of 19.26% on its first day, with peak attendance of 36.25% during night shows. Morning shows saw just 5.98%, while afternoon and evening shows recorded 13.95% and 20.86%, respectively. The film performed well in major cities, with 25% occupancy in Chennai and 23.75% in Mumbai.
Emergency explores the life of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, with Kangana Ranaut in the titular role. The cast includes Milind Soman as Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, Anupam Kher as Jayaprakash Narayan, and Shreyas Talpade as Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
In a previous statement, Ranaut highlighted that Emergency is not just a biopic, but a grand period film designed to educate modern audiences about India's socio-political landscape.
The film received positive reviews from social media users, with many praising Kangana Ranaut's performance. Viewers also appreciated how the film captured the intensity of the 1975 Emergency.
Film critic and trade analyst Ramesh Bala shared his thoughts, saying, "I wasn't expecting Emergency to hit me so hard! Kangana Ranaut nails the role of Indira Gandhi with such raw honesty, and the entire cast delivers their best. The visuals are stunning, the story powerfully portrays the 1975 incident, and the music complements the film's backdrop perfectly. This film does justice to our history in every frame. It's a must-watch to understand our history."
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