Baby John, starring Varun Dhawan, Keerthy Suresh, Wamiqa Gabbi, and Jackie Shroff, hit theaters on December 25, 2024, marking a Christmas release. Directed by Kalees and adapted by Atlee from his Tamil blockbuster Theri (2016), the film is a mass entertainer featuring high-octane action sequences. Despite its star-studded cast and holiday release, the film’s opening performance at the box office appears underwhelming.
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Day 1 Box Office Prediction
Early estimates suggest that Baby John might collect between ₹9 crore and ₹12 crore on its first day in India. While the holiday release could have boosted its numbers, several factors have worked against the film:
- Competition from Pushpa 2: The Rule:
- The Allu Arjun-led sequel has dominated the box office, with its Hindi dubbed version alone grossing over ₹700 crore net in India.
- Pushpa 2‘s massive buzz has overshadowed Baby John, drawing away a significant portion of the audience.
- Mixed Reviews:
- Audience reactions have been divided.
- Positive: Appreciation for Varun Dhawan’s action-packed performance and the intense set pieces.
- Negative: Criticism for its predictable storyline and lack of novelty compared to Theri.
- Limited Pre-Release Buzz:
- Despite being helmed by Atlee, known for his successful ventures like Jawan, Baby John failed to generate significant pre-release excitement.
Production Details
- Producers:
Atlee, under A For Apple Studios, along with Priya Atlee, Murad Khetani (Cine1 Studios), and Jyoti Deshpande (Jio Studios). - Key Cast:
- Varun Dhawan as the lead protagonist.
- Keerthy Suresh and Wamiqa Gabbi as the female leads.
- Jackie Shroff as the antagonist.
Conclusion
Baby John has started slow despite the Christmas advantage, and its journey ahead depends on word of mouth and audience reception over the weekend. With fierce competition from Pushpa 2: The Rule, the film needs to perform exceptionally well in the coming days to ensure long-term box office success.
Stay tuned for further updates on Baby John’s box office performance.