Salaar’s advance booking has been remarkable, with the much-anticipated action drama set to make a big impact at the box office on Friday. Despite facing competition from another major release, Dunki, Salaar has managed to secure a significant number of screens. According to a report on Sacnilk.com, the film has already recorded an advance booking of ₹48.94 crore on its first day. This suggests that Salaar’s opening collection is likely to surpass Dunki, which opened a day earlier with around ₹30 crore. The report further reveals that over 22 lakh tickets were sold for Salaar: Part 1 – Ceasefire’s opening day, with Telugu shows alone accounting for approximately 17 lakh tickets worth ₹38.25 crore. Additionally, more than 2 lakh tickets worth ₹5.62 crore were sold for Hindi shows, while Tamil shows saw ticket sales worth ₹1.9 crore prior to the film’s release.
The controversy surrounding the clash between Salaar and Dunki continues to escalate. In the past few days, concerns have been raised by industry insiders regarding the unequal screen share between the two films. The producers of Salaar: Part 1 – Ceasefire have taken a stand against PVR INOX and Miraj Cinemas in the south, announcing that they will not screen their film in these theaters. This decision comes as a result of the multiplex chains allegedly favoring Dunki, which stars Shah Rukh Khan, over the Prabhas-starrer Salaar. Hombale Films, the banner behind Salaar, claims that PVR INOX and Miraj Cinemas had promised equal showcasing for both films, a promise that was not fulfilled.
Salaar: Part 1 – Ceasefire, directed by Prashanth Neel of KGF fame, has garnered attention not only in the south but also globally, with releases in Kannada and Malayalam. The film features Prabhas and Prithviraj Sukumaran in the lead roles, with Shruti Haasan as the female lead. Set in the fictional city of Khansaar, Salaar follows the story of Deva and Vardha, portrayed by Prabhas and Sukumaran respectively.
Prithviraj Sukumaran, in a recent interview with PTI, shared his thoughts on the film, stating, “I had certain preconceived notions about what the film would be. However, I was pleasantly surprised to discover that it revolves around the bond between two friends and the events that unfold between them. The drama aspect of the film is what captivated me. Regardless of the film’s scale or the language in which it is made, Salaar’s dramatic elements are what truly engage the audience, alongside the spectacular fight sequences and grand sets.”