Trade Analysts Expect Awarapan 2 to Challenge Emraan Hashmi’s Box Office Record
Film trade analysts and exhibitors have highlighted strong early demand for actor Emraan Hashmi’s upcoming film, Awarapan 2, projecting that it could potentially surpass his highest career opening day record to date.
What Happened
According to trade experts, Awarapan 2 has generated significant interest, positioning the film to potentially exceed the first-day collection of Hashmi’s 2017 multi-starrer Baadshaho, which currently holds his top opening day record at Rs. 12.60 crores. This expectation comes amid competition from Batwara 1947, a film featuring Sunny Deol, Aamir Khan, and Rajkumar Santoshi.
Key Highlights
- Hashmi began his career with Footpath (2003) and gained widespread recognition with the hit thriller Murder (2004).
- His past top-performing box office openings include Murder 2 (Rs. 7.10 crores in 2011), The Dirty Picture (Rs. 9.54 crores in 2011), Raaz 3 (Rs. 10.47 crores in 2012), and Baadshaho (Rs. 12.60 crores in 2017).
- Trade veteran Taran Adarsh stated that Hashmi’s films are returning to strong initial openings with Awarapan 2 despite facing solid competition from Batwara 1947.
- Exhibitor Vishek Chauhan of Roopbani Cinema in Purnia, Bihar, observed strong demand among younger audiences who want to see Hashmi in a mass-appealing role on the big screen.
- Industry voices including Atul Mohan and Raj Bansal noted that Hashmi is returning to the mainstream commercial space that his established fan base prefers.
Why This Matters
The reception to Awarapan 2 marks a notable shift for Hashmi back toward mass-oriented commercial cinema. Industry analysts pointed out that after a successful run with commercial hits in earlier years, the actor had transitioned toward different genres, but the core audience for his mass-appeal persona remains strong.
What to Watch Next
Industry observers will be monitoring the theatrical release and opening day box office figures of Awarapan 2 to determine if its initial collections surpass the benchmark of Rs. 12.60 crores set by Baadshaho.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is currently Emraan Hashmi’s highest-opening film?
His highest opening day collection belongs to the 2017 film Baadshaho, which earned Rs. 12.60 crores on its first day.
Which film is releasing alongside Awarapan 2?
The film is slated to compete against Batwara 1947, featuring Sunny Deol, Aamir Khan, and Rajkumar Santoshi.
Source: Bollywood Hungama