Baby John Box Office Struggles: Morning Show Collection and Viewer Reactions
The much-anticipated Baby John, Varun Dhawan’s bold attempt to establish himself as an action superstar, has faced a slow start at the box office. On its opening morning across India, the film collected a modest INR 2 crore, signaling a challenging road ahead despite high hopes and promotions.
A Disappointing Start
Opening on Christmas Day, Baby John struggled to attract audiences during its morning shows, with an occupancy rate of just 14%. According to local media, the movie’s total first-day earnings are projected to reach INR 15 crore, benefiting slightly from increased attendance at afternoon and evening screenings. However, early reviews and audience reception have not been favorable, adding to the film’s troubles.
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Varun Dhawan’s Box Office Journey
For Varun Dhawan, Baby John marks a pivotal attempt to shine as a lead action hero. However, the opening morning collection indicates a lukewarm response, continuing a streak of underwhelming box office performances. Dhawan’s recent films, such as the horror-comedy Bhediya and romantic drama JugJugg Jeeyo, earned INR 7 crore and INR 9 crore on their respective opening days.
Ironically, Dhawan’s biggest opener, Kalank, raked in INR 21 crore on its first day but failed to sustain its momentum. Similarly, his 2016 action film Dishoom had a stronger opening with INR 11 crore. In comparison, Baby John’s figures reflect a sharp decline in audience interest.
A Tough Competitor: Pushpa 2
Adding to Baby John’s woes is the continued dominance of Pushpa 2 at the box office. On its 21st day of release, the Allu Arjun-starrer has already crossed INR 1,000 crore and still shows strong traction. With Christmas providing a holiday boost, Pushpa 2 is expected to surpass its INR 14 crore earnings from the previous day.
In contrast, Baby John’s pre-release ticket sales amounted to just INR 5 crore, a figure deemed average for a pan-India release. This comparison underscores the uphill battle Baby John faces to carve out a share of the holiday box office.
A Pan-India Collaboration Falls Flat
Directed by Kalees and produced by Atlee, Baby John was marketed as a pan-India entertainer. The film, a remake of Atlee’s Tamil hit Theri, features Varun Dhawan in the lead role, supported by Keerthy Suresh and Wamiqa Gabbi. Despite Atlee’s growing reputation after the success of Jawan, Baby John has failed to live up to expectations.
What’s Next for Baby John?
While Baby John aimed to bring together audiences from Bollywood and South Indian cinema, its underwhelming start signals a need for strong word-of-mouth to sustain its run. The film’s performance over the next few days will be crucial in determining its fate.
For Varun Dhawan, the movie serves as a litmus test for his future as an action hero. Whether Baby John can recover and gain momentum remains to be seen. All eyes are now on the audience response in the days to come.
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