KALKI 2898 AD has collected very well on day one with 21 crore nett and is the highest opening day of the year beating FIGHTER. The collections across all circuits are well ahead of FIGHTERthough there is a shortfall from the South as the original Telugu film dominates there. A CP Berar and Bihar are double of FIGHTER with the latter being more than double and even a circuit like East Punjab just edges past the Hrithik Roshan-starrer.

The best collections for the film have come in UP and Bihar with the latter being outstanding. But this is a double edged sword as all the mass circuits look very strong but that is mainly as comparing to the films released this year. If we compare the numbers to RRR (Hindi), then the numbers in mass circuits is lower while it is the bigger centres doing better.

The film is futuristic and as a result, the collections in UP, Bihar, Rajasthan etc look even better as futuristic is a bit of  no no in these pockets. Its likely this audience is coming in for the mythological side of the film. The film could have collected better in Mumbai circuit but maybe the match affected more here and also possibly the rains in Mumbai/Thane area.

The futuristic side of the film could even be having an effect in places like Nizam/Andhra and Karnataka also as the bigger centres see huge collections but others are not as huge. The results in smaller areas in South means the film will not do 100 crore nett in India and the final number may come in around 90 crore nett which is still a huge number and probably fourth best ever.

Overall, its a solid start for the film as far as the Hindi version goes especially with a Thursday release with the match playing spoilsport a little. Friday is likely to see a drop in mass pockets and it will be about how the bigger centres push in the evening. On Saturday, there is the cricket match and it will be about where the Sunday number goes which can really jump due to the hit that Saturday collections will take because of match.

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KALKI 2898 AD (Hindi) has the best opening day collections of 2024 as it collects 21 crore nett apprx edging past the number of FIGHTER. It may look like it just edging past but it has a limited release in South and if we take out South then it is a comfortable 3 crore nett lead for KALKI 2898 AD. Taking out South it is 16.50 crore nett for FIGHTER and 19.50 crore nett for KALKI 2898 AD.

The numbers of KALKI 2898 AD are ahead practically in all the circuits in the Hindi markets with Mumbai being similar to FIGHTER while West Bengal and Assam are a little lower but KALKI 2898 AD is far ahead in the likes of Bihar, Odisha, CP Berar etc and in some case more than double. The crucial North markets of Delhi/UP and East Punjab are also better for KALKI 2898 AD despite FIGHTER having Hrithik Roshan in the lead.

The film again illustrates the importance of mass penetration if you want good collections and here is a film with a futuristic angle doing that but something is getting that core audience out to the theatres and giving this film a chance which has not happened with many original Hindi films post pandemic. The numbers of FIGHTER maybe close but it did not have this mass penetration and its mainly down to higher ticket rates that the numbers are close. Even all the multiplex chains outside PVR INOX are better for KALKI 2829 AD (Hindi).

The all India number for  KALKI 2829 AD looks to be closing in the 85-90 crore nett range and that will be updated later.

The top ten opening day collections for Hindi films in 2024 are as follows.

2. Fighter - 20,43,00,000

3. Shaitaan - 15,08,00,000

4. Bade Miyan Chote Miyan - 14,87,00,000

5. Crew - 9,41,00,000

6. Mr & Mrs Mahi - 6,79,00,000

7. Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya - 6,54,00,000

8. Articke 370 - 5,21,00,000

9. Chandu Champion - 4,48,00,000

10. Yodha - 3,91,00,000

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KALKI 2898 AD collected huge 86.50 crore nett on its opening day across India on a little over 7000 screens. The collections are the fourth highest of all time after KGF 2, RRR and BAAHUBALI 2: THE CONCLUSION. The film could have maybe done a little more in Andhra but it was not pushed out to certain cinemas where Telugu films open. Also the futuristic angle could could have been a hindrance in Andhra also as well as some other mass pockets in other regions of South.

The outperformance came in the Hindi version and at the end of the day, it is this which can make a big difference to the film as there is potential for a big run looking at how well the mass circuits have collected. There will be drop in Nizam/Andhra on day two which is usual and then its about where it holds from there. the futuristic angle may make it tougher in Andhra while the Hindi markets dominated my multiplexes will maybe take to it better.

The Oversaes collections were $7 million but have to be taken with a pinch of salt as these are not for one day but two days. The worldwide GROSS of 160-165 crore can be compared to other Telugu films but not from other industries due to the different release structure in overseas and here it will be third best afterBAAHUBALI 2: THE CONCLUSION and RRR.

The all India first day figures of KALKI 2898 AD are as follows. The Hindi version includes collections from the South.

Hindi - 21,00,00,000 apprx

Nizam/Andhra - 50,00,00,000 apprx

Mysore/Karnataka - 7,66,00,000

Tamil Nadu - 3,42,00,000

Kerala - 2,18,00,,000

Hindi Circuits (Regional Version) - 2,20,00,000