Box office: Ajay Devgn's 'Maidaan' struggles to score big
What's the story
Amid high expectations, the Ajay Devgn-led biographical sports drama Maidaan experienced a lackluster start on Thursday.
Despite its release coinciding with a holiday weekend, it only garnered ₹7.1cr (including paid previews) on its opening day.
Day 2 saw a further decline—with collections dwindling to just ₹3cr.
Based on the life of Syed Abdul Rahim, Maidaan is facing tough competition from Bade Miyan Chote Miyan.
Viewer turnout
Low occupancy rates plague 'Maidaan's release
Per Sacnilk, Maidaan amassed ₹10.1cr over its first two days, trailing behind the impressive earnings of Akshay Kumar's BMCM, which soared past the ₹22cr mark within the same timeframe.
It recorded an overall occupancy rate of just 8.81% on Friday.
Notably, in Mumbai, the occupancy rate reached 11.33%.
Conversely, in Delhi and NCR, the film struggled with a mere 7.3% occupancy rate.
About the film
From cast to plot: Know everything about 'Maidaan'
Also featuring Priya Mani in a pivotal role alongside Devgn, the film is co-written and directed by Amit Ravindernath Sharma and produced by Akash Chawla, Arunava Joy Sengupta, Boney Kapoor, and ZEE Studios.
Spanning from 1952 to 1962, it narrates the life and legacy of Rahim, a revered football coach who transformed the landscape of Indian football.
Read our Maidaan review here.
Online reaction
Social media praised 'Maidaan' despite box office struggles
Despite its box office struggles, Maidaan has received praise on social media.
Netizens have lauded the film as a "must-see movie," with particular commendations for Devgn's performance and Gajraj Rao's role as a journalist in the sports drama.
Praising the film, a user exclaimed, "Maidaan is the best film of 2024 (till now). The emotions and drama hit hard, the football matches were well-shot."
Comparison with previous release
From 'Shaitaan's success to 'Maidaan's woes: Devgn's year so far
This year has been a mixed bag for Devgn, so far.
His horror film Shaitaan—featuring R Madhavan and Jyotika—emerged as a powerhouse performer, raking in ₹147.74cr domestically and securing the second spot in 2024's highest-grossing films.
However, the initial figures for Maidaan are cause for concern, as they pale in comparison to the occult thriller.
The film's fate now hinges on positive word-of-mouth.