Gadar 2 gives single-screen cinemas a much-needed boost
Live MintNew Delhi: Gadar 2, a sequel to the 2001 hit, has finally brought some cheer to pandemic-hit small, single-screen cinemas in the Hindi-speaking belt with audiences returning in droves. Gadar 2 has been lapped up in the Hindi heartland including Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and parts of central India in a welcome relief to such cinemas at a time of waning popularity of Bollywood films among mass-market viewers with several new releases considered to feature mostly urban, elitist themes. Gadar 2 clocked opening day collections of more than ₹39 crore, making it the second highest first-day grosser of 2023 after Shah Rukh Khan’s Pathaan and the ninth highest opening day grosser of all time among original Bollywood films. The film’s release happened just days after the Mumbai bench of the National Company Law Tribunal approved Sony Pictures Network India’s proposed merger with Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd. Set during the Indo-Pakistan war of 1971, Gadar 2 has been directed by Anil Sharma and sees original actors Sunny Deol and Ameesha Patel reprising their roles. Ashish Saksena, chief operating officer, cinemas, BookMyShow, said Gadar 2 has crossed over 3.2 million tickets on the platform, with close to 20% audiences opting to watch the film at a single-screen theatre.