Varun Dhawan’s ‘Baby John’ earns ₹2.23 Cr in advance bookings, targets ₹15 Cr opening

Varun Dhawan’s action thriller Baby John is scheduled for release on December 25, 2024, and has already generated significant momentum with its advance bookings. As of December 24, the film has sold approximately 50,000 tickets, with a total advance collection of ₹2.23 crore, including ₹1.46 crore from ticket sales and ₹0.77 crore from blocked seats. The highest collections are from Maharashtra, which contributed ₹45.9 lakh, followed by Delhi at ₹33.11 lakh and Mumbai at ₹24.33 lakh.

The film will be screened in 6,489 shows across India, with the highest number of shows in Gujarat (1,256), followed by Maharashtra (1,148) and Delhi (833). Projections suggest that Baby John could open with a collection ranging from ₹12 crore to ₹15 crore on its first day. While the advance booking numbers are strong, they are not as high as expected given the film's scale and the highly anticipated festive release period.

Directed by Kalees and produced by Atlee, Baby John is a remake of Atlee’s 2016 Tamil film Theri. The film stars Varun Dhawan in the lead role as a fierce father, with Keerthy Suresh, Wamiqa Gabbi, Jackie Shroff, and Rajpal Yadav in important roles. It also features a special cameo by Salman Khan and a guest appearance by singer Diljit Dosanjh in the song "Nain Mattakka." The film’s production budget is reported to be ₹180 crore, and it is produced under the banners of PVR Inox Pictures and Pen Marudhar.

Baby John’s advance booking numbers indicate that the film is poised for a strong opening, though it faces intense competition from recent box office successes like Pushpa 2: The Rule. The Allu Arjun starrer has dominated the box office with over ₹1,000 crore in earnings. Despite this competition, Baby John is expected to attract significant audiences due to its large-scale action sequences, star power, and the festive release window.

The film is set to release across various regions, with a particularly strong presence in key markets like Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Delhi. The film’s total number of screenings reflects its nationwide reach, with 6,150 shows scheduled across major cities and smaller towns. The box office success on opening day will be crucial for Baby John, especially considering the large production budget and high expectations for its performance during the holiday season.

With its combination of action-packed sequences, star-studded cast, and strong production backing, Baby John is expected to make a significant impact at the box office. The film’s performance in the first few days following its release will be a key indicator of its overall commercial success. The coming days will determine if the film can meet its expected opening day target and sustain momentum through the festive period.