Surpassing early expectations, the Sunny Deol and Randeep Hooda starrer Jaat had a stellar start at the Indian box office, earning an impressive ₹9.62 crore net on its opening Thursday. This figure significantly surpasses industry estimates of around ₹ 7 crore, showcasing the film’s unexpected pull with audiences.
Released strategically to capitalize on the partial Mahavir Jayanti holiday, “Jaat” initially faced challenges with low advance bookings due to a delayed ticket sales opening. However, the film’s fortunes dramatically shifted as the day progressed, fueled by robust spot bookings, particularly in mass-dominated regions across the country.
While urban centers reported a relatively subdued occupancy, “Jaat” witnessed exceptional footfalls in single-screen theaters across various mass circuits. This strong performance in non-metro areas highlights the film’s appeal to a wider audience base. Industry analysts suggest that there is considerable potential for single screens to contribute even more significantly to the film’s overall earnings. Furthermore, if multiplexes beyond the major metropolitan cities also begin to show stronger occupancy, “Jaat” could be on track for a substantial lifetime collection.
Looking ahead, a potential dip in collections on Friday, being a working day, cannot be entirely ruled out. However, the upcoming Baisakhi weekend is anticipated to provide a significant boost to footfalls on Saturday and Sunday. Adding to this positive outlook, Monday also marks a holiday for Ambedkar Jayanti, presenting “Jaat” with an extended weekend opportunity to solidify its box office performance.
