Earlier this week, enthusiasts of Ranbir Kapoor were captivated by the debut trailer of his forthcoming film, Animal. Directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga, this romantic crime drama, featuring Rashmika Mandanna in a significant role, proudly bears an ‘A’ rating from the Central Board of Film Certification—a commendation for the team. Vanga, renowned for his previous controversial works Arjun Reddy and Kabir Singh, is pushing boundaries with Animal, boasting a runtime of nearly three and a half hours.
Vanga, unwavering in his commitment to the film’s duration, stood firm even when the initial cut exceeded four hours. Lengthy films face commercial challenges, as fewer screenings can be accommodated in a single day. This impact is even more pronounced for ‘A’-rated movies. Animal serves as a significant test not just for Vanga but also for Ranbir Kapoor, who is gradually reclaiming his A-list status after a mixed streak since Sanju. The film’s advance bookings in India commence on Sunday, November 26, with expectations suggesting a colossal opening day collection of Rs 50 crore, potentially marking Ranbir’s biggest debut. While advance bookings in the US have started, early reports from Koimoi indicate only 3,200 tickets sold for 206 locations.
Looking back, Sanju, released in 2018, raked in Rs 34 crore on its first day and eventually grossed nearly Rs 350 crore in India. Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani opened with Rs 19 crore, culminating in almost Rs 190 crore in India. Besharam, released at the pinnacle of Ranbir’s popularity, earned Rs 21 crore on its opening day. However, his recent releases, Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar and Brahmastra, secured Rs 15 crore and Rs 36 crore on day one, respectively.
Vanga’s Kabir Singh, on the other hand, made Rs 20 crore on its opening day, ultimately reaching nearly Rs 280 crore in India, standing as Shahid Kapoor’s highest-grossing solo film. Meanwhile, Rashmika Mandanna, transitioning to Hindi cinema with projects like Goodbye and the streaming film Mission Majnu, awaits the theatrical release of Animal on December 1.