Priyadarshan's crime thriller 'Haiwaan' saw a significant dip on its third day, earning just Rs 1.85 crore as it lost over 1400 screens to the devotional blockbuster 'Hanuman Ansh'.
Despite the high-octane reunion of Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan after 18 years, Priyadarshan's crime thriller 'Haiwaan' is facing a tough battle at the box office. On its third day (Sunday), the film witnessed a sharp decline, collecting a mere Rs 1.85 crore. This follows a 26% drop from its Saturday earnings, signaling weak momentum for the big-budget thriller.
The primary reason for this slump appears to be the massive redistribution of screens. 'Haiwaan' saw its show count slashed by over 1400 screens on Sunday, leaving it with only 4374 screens across India. In stark contrast, Vishal Chaturvedi’s devotional sensation 'Hanuman Ansh' expanded its footprint, adding 1500 screens to reach a total of 8902, earning a massive Rs 22.50 crore on its sixth Sunday.
Why This Matters
BozokMedia analysis shows that the traditional 'star power' model is being challenged by niche, high-engagement content. Even with A-list actors like Akshay and Saif, a film can struggle if it fails to compete with the massive cultural momentum of films like 'Hanuman Ansh' or the streaming-to-big-screen success of 'Mirzapur: The Movie'.
The era of star-driven dominance is shifting toward content-driven momentum.
The film's domestic net collection currently stands at Rs 7.35 crore, with a worldwide gross of Rs 11.55 crore. This performance is notably lower than their previous collaboration, the 2008 thriller 'Tashan', which earned Rs 11 crore in its first three days. Furthermore, 'Haiwaan' is being outperformed by last week's holdover, 'Mirzapur: The Movie', which collected Rs 36.25 crore in its second weekend.
Historical Background
'Haiwaan' is a Hindi remake of Priyadarshan's 2016 Malayalam hit 'Oppam', which starred Mohanlal. While the original was a critical and commercial success, the Hindi adaptation is finding it difficult to replicate that magic in a crowded market dominated by devotional and action-heavy content.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: How much did Haiwaan earn on Day 3?
Ans: The film earned Rs 1.85 crore on its third day of release.
Q2: Why did Haiwaan's collection drop?
Ans: The drop is attributed to a significant reduction in screens, as many were diverted to 'Hanuman Ansh'.