Box-Office Predictions: Baadshaho and Shubh Mangal Savdhan To Have A Heated Clash At The Box-Office

Baadshaho might not be considering Shubh Mangal Savdhan a big contender, but the latter has a very good chance of making it big at the box-office.

This is one of those box-office clashes that no one is talking about, but has some serious potential. On one hand, we have the light hearted comedy drama exploring a taboo topic of our society with a hint of quirkiness and satire, the other is a serious commercial drama revolving around the 1970s emergency. The distinctiveness of the releases will keep it limited to their specific set of target audience, which by the way is very different for both the releases. One will be completely restricted to the urban centres while the other will swipe the mass circuits with a decent hold on the urban centres.

Talking of Baadshaho, the rustic 70’s themed film has impressed us all with its trailer and the music is on the right note, no chartbusters in the lot though. Baadshaho marks the return of Milan Luthria, last seen in the 2013 film, ‘Once Upon a Time in Mumbai Dobara’. The release date of Baadshaho has been shifted more than a couple of times, but later last year Ajay Devgn finalised the date to September 1. The film stars Ajay Devgn, Emraan Hashmi, Ileana D’ Cruz, Esha Gupta and Vidyut Jamwal in the lead. The pairing of Devgn and Emraan Hashmi brings great nobility in the past and the trailer promises it yet again.

The film rides on high economics. The production cost extends over Rs 50 crore and keeping another Rs 15 crore on the side lines for marketing and promotions, the budget exceeds the safe zone. Baadshaho will be releasing in over 2000 screens, and considering the pre-release buzz, the movie is expected to open in double digits. An opening on the lines of Rs 10-11 crore and a further jump over the weekend will keep it in a safe spot. However, the weekend performance will entirely depend on the critical reception and the word of mouth. For a high budgeted film like Baadshaho, bad reviews and poor word of mouth can play the spoil sport.

The other release of this weekend is Shubh Mangal Savdhan. The chaffing wedding drama is delivered to us by Aanand L. Rai’s Colour Yellow Production and is directed by R.S. Prasanna. The trailer assures a laugh riot and is very well received by the audiences. Music by Tanishk-Vayu perfectly supports the theme of SMS.

After playing a sperm donor in Vicky Donor, Ayushmann Khurrana will play the role of a guy suffering from erectile dysfunction in SMS. Quite a shift that is! The film also stars Bhumi Pednekar who was last seen in Toilet- Ek Prem Katha. The film is based on the 2013 Tamil hit Kalyana Samayal Saadham.

The family entertainer with an adult theme is expected to open on the lines of Rs 4-5 crore on day-1. However, SMS carries the full potential to witness a jump of more than two folds over the weekend. SMS is made on a very restricted budget which will help the movie rake profits in no time. Also, Aanand L. Rai’s credibility to deliver a good small-town entertainer is very well known with the likes of Tanu Weds Manu and Raanjhanaa.

I have a feeling that this is going to be one of those Friday’s where the choice will be between strong content and solid star power. Content has been appreciated in the past by the Indian audience and this weekend might very well be the same. Shubh Mangal Savdhan is definitely the underdog in the race, but the Bollywood’s uncertainty, as you know, is all about the victory for the underdog.