India’s Most Expensive Movie Breaks Global Box Office Record

Kalki 2898 AD, India’s most expensive movie ever, breaks a global box office record. Directed and co-written by Nag Ashwin, the Telugu-language sci-fi epic is set in a post-apocalyptic world and follows a select group on a mission to save the titular lab subject, who is believed to be a modern-day avatar of Vishnu, descended to protect earth from evil forces. Kalki 2898 AD‘s cast includes Amitabh Bachchan, Kamal Haasan, Prabhas, and Deepika Padukone.

Now, India’s most expensive movie ever, made on a budget of around $75 million, has broken a global box office record. According to Collider, Kalki 2898 AD delivered the best opening weekend worldwide in the history of Indian cinema. The film grossed ₹555 crore in its first four days of release, which is equivalent to around $66 million. These numbers were provided by the production company Vyjayanthi Movies, so studio figures should always be taken with a grain of salt.

Breaking Down Kalki 2898 AD’s Record-Breaking Global Box Office Debut

How Does It Compare To Other Indian Cinema?

By achieving the best opening weekend in Indian cinema history, Kalki 2898 AD is already outperforming last year’s Jawan and 2022’s RRR with its impressive global box office debut. However, the sci-fi epic’s opening weekend benefited from an extra day due to its Thursday release. With a budget of around $75 million, the most expensive Indian film ever, Kalki 2898 AD still has some way to go before being considered a financial success.

Kalki 2898 AD‘s $66 million debut surpassed RRR‘s $60 million and Jawan‘s $62 million openings, making it the highest opening weekend in Indian film history. RRR went on to gross over $160 million worldwide, and Jawan over $130 million. Kalki 2898 AD also broke RRR‘s domestic opening record and outperformed Prabhas’ Salaar: Part 1 — Ceasefire. In North America, it ranked in the top five at the box office behind Inside Out 2, Bad Boys: Ride or Die, A Quiet Place: Day One, and Horizon: An American Saga — Chapter 1.

Kalki 2898 AD‘s opening also solidifies Prabhas as one of India’s top movie stars, now responsible for three of the five biggest opening weekends in the history of Indian cinema, and two more within the top 10. After achieving superstardom with the international success of S.S. Rajamouli’s Baahubali films, he was featured in several high-profile flops that cast doubt on his box office appeal. However, after Kalki 2898 AD‘s opening, there’s no denying Prabhas’ ability to attract audiences.

Source: Collider

Kalki 2898 AD

Kalki 2898 AD is a sci-fi epic by director Nag Ashwin and roots itself in Hindu mythology. The ultimate battle begins when Vishnu’s final incarnation is brought back to earth as Kalki and will now fight to end the dark ages in a dystopian future.

Director

Nag Ashwin

Release Date

June 27, 2024

Studio(s)

Vyjayanthi Movies

Writers

Nag Ashwin

Cast

Prabhas , Amitabh Bachchan , Kamal Haasan , Deepika Padukone , Disha Patani , Anna Ben , Dulquer Salmaan , Pasupathy

Runtime

180 Minutes

Budget

$75 Million

Main Genre

Adventure

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