Pushpa 2 lost golden chance at box-office: Here’s how

Pushpa 2: The Rule was initially set to release on August 15, 2024, Independence Day, an ideal date for attracting audiences across India. Due to delays, the film hit theaters on December 5, 2024, a non-holiday Thursday. Despite this, it achieved a remarkable ₹65 crore opening in the Hindi market, even surpassing Jawan’s record.

Fans and analysts believe that if Pushpa 2 had released on Independence Day, it could have reached even greater heights. On August 15, competing films like Stree 2, Khel Khel Mein, and Vedaa collectively earned ₹75 crore. Considering Pushpa 2’s massive hype and the growing pan-India appeal of Allu Arjun, the film might have opened to ₹90-100 crore.

The Independence Day slot would have brought unmatched footfalls, elevating the sequel to a box office phenomenon and reinforcing the dominance of South Indian cinema in the Hindi market. Analysts feel Pushpa 2 could have redefined benchmarks, setting new records for pan-Indian releases.

Looking ahead, WAR 2, starring Hrithik Roshan and NTR, is scheduled for an August 14, 2025, release. This film has the potential to achieve ₹100 crore on its opening day due to the holiday boost. However, a clash with The Delhi Files could affect its performance.

Despite missing the holiday advantage, Pushpa 2’s non-holiday success underscores its strength. Fans now await WAR 2 to see if Hindi cinema can match or exceed these records on a national scale.

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