The Christmas week is here and everyone is waiting with bated breath to see how ‘Dabangg 3’, that releases tomorrow, performs at the box office. The expectations are tremendous after all.
‘Dabangg 3’ is the third part of the ‘Dabangg’ franchise. The first part (2010) didn’t make any noise while it was being made but became one of the hottest films ever once its kick-ass and slick trailer came out. Salman Khan seemed in amazing form and he did total justice to his role of Inspector Chulbul Pandey. The film also introduced Sonakshi Sinha who was appreciated in her role as Rajjo. Songs were another highlight, when “Munni Badnaam Hui” turned into a smashing chartbuster. It released on Eid 2010 and had the biggest opening day (Rs. 14.55 crore) and biggest weekend (Rs. 48.94 crore). In its lifetime, it earned Rs. 141.24 crore and was 2010’s biggest grosser.
‘Dabangg 2’ released around two and half years later, during Christmas 2012. Just like the first part, it was a blockbuster but it earned Rs. 149.52 crore. That’s a huge figure by 2012 standards but when compared to ‘Dabangg’s collections, the growth was very less. It showed that people liked the film but didn’t feel it went past Part 1. And now seven years later, trade and fans hope that ‘Dabangg 3’ would go past the Rs. 200 crore mark to be called as a respectable hit. And it’s very much possible, going by the trailer. Along with Salman Khan and Sonakshi Sinha, it features Mahesh Manjrekar’s daughter Saiee with Sudeep playing the villain. Interestingly, the film has two tracks – one set in present day and the other touches upon the events that happened before the first part. So it focuses on how Chulbul Pandey became the person that he is and his then love interest. This bit can make for an interesting watch, if handled well.
‘Dabangg’ was directed by newcomer Abhinav Kashyap while Part 2 was helmed by Arbaaz Khan, also the film’s producer and supporting actor. For ‘Dabangg 3’, they have got on board Prabhu Deva. He’s ideal to helm such a kind of massy flick and from the promos, it is sure that he’s done justice, treatment wise.
The film also faces some challenges, however. A hit soundtrack is an indispensable part of any ‘Dabangg’ film but in case of ‘Dabangg 3’, the songs haven’t worked well. Even the item song “Munna Badnaam Hua” featuring Warina Hussain isn’t memorable. A section of viewers, moreover, are apprehensive of the film’s content. They feel that Salman has done many such films before and if ‘Dabangg 3’ is also in the same lines, then it could suffer in the long run. ‘Dabangg 2’ also under-performed for the same reason – it seemed too similar to the first part in terms of trajectory and narrative. Thankfully, the flashback part of Part 3 will give the film the much required emotional touch. And that, along with action and Salman’s charisma, will work wonders.
‘Dabangg 3’ releases in the festive week but Friday is a non-holiday. Hence, Day 1 won’t be record-opening but it’s expected to open around Rs. 30-32 crore and might go even higher. If the response is positive, then a Rs. 100 crore weekend is confirmed. Christmas is on Wednesday 25 December when the collections will again be high. In fact, collections will start increasing from Tuesday 24 December post 3-4 pm, as it usually happens on Christmas Eve. Hence, in the first week itself, it’ll cross the collection of ‘Dabangg’ and ‘Dabangg 2’. If the response is bad, the film will fall, though not heavily. It will collect till December 25 but will suffer a major crash on Thursday December 26. And then in second week, it will have little chance since another exciting flick, ‘Good Newwz’, releases in cinemas.
