INDIA: Instead of recouping its investment, it appears like Brahmastra is suing PVR and Inox investors alongside itself. The biggest theatre chains in India, PVR and Inox, collectively lost over 800 crores in market capitalisation today after early reviews doomed Brahmastra’s chances.
Highlights:
- The first film of the trilogy starring Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt, titled Brahmastra, has received muted reviews from critics and moviegoers.
- Shares of PVR and Inox, India’s two largest cinema chains, have plummeted due to negative reviews.
- The film, which has an ensemble cast, has reportedly been in production for years and has a 410 crore rupee budget.
According to Indian mythology, the Brahmastra is a destructive weapon that can only be halted by its retaliatory Astra (weapon). Ironically, the movie might become the target of the firearm it is named for.
Despite strong reservations of 23 crores, Brahmastra debuted to muted reviews. The Ranbir-Alia starrer received a two-star rating from critic and analyst Taran Adarsh, who called it a “king-sized disappointment.”
The Hindi film industry’s expectations for a comeback may be dashed if Brahmastra fails, making it one of the biggest Bollywood bombs at a time when multiple South Indian films have set records across the country.
Brahmastra, a film produced by Karan Johar with a 410 crore rupee budget, stars Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, Amitabh Bachchan, Tollywood actor Nagarjuna, and even Shah Rukh Khan in a cameo. This is essentially a who’s who list of the most powerful actors in Indian cinema.
Analysts predict that, despite the money invested in making this movie, which has already been delayed for several years, it may only end up earning less than half of what was invested.
According to a media note by Elara Capital, “The lifetime box office (collection) for the picture is expected to be in a wide range of 130-200 crore, based on the significant advancements.” This investigation was conducted before the influx of negative reviews.
If Karan Johar and the company wanted to replicate the enchantment of films like RRR on a big screen, they might have to try again.
Interesting insights were also made by some observers. After seeing the film today, one fan remarked, “It’s a badly written Crime Patrol episode lines (sic), coupled with a lousy Ekta Kapoor plot.”
While professional reviews and social media discussion may affect Brahmastra’s weekend box office performance, the movie’s fate ultimately rests with word of mouth and audience response.
“We think positive word of mouth and audience reception can help the picture breach the high end,” said Karan Taurani of Elara Capital. However, it appears that the initial group of unsatisfied viewers is disseminating the negative sentiment.
Also Read: Brahmastra: Twitter Reviews for the Most-Anticipated Movie Are Here
