With no real outside challenge, Akshay Kumar is now battling with his own records. So far, the highest Week One collections for a film of his has been enjoyed by Airlift [83.5 crore]. Now that record has been almost matched by Rustom and that too in 6 days flat. The film’s total currently reads 82.28 crore, what with 6.38 crore more coming on Wednesday. Considering the fact that Airlift has been one of the most appreciated films of Akshay Kumar’s career, one can well imagine the kind of patronage that Rustom is enjoying with bigger and better collections.
It is clear that there is an altogether new fan base that the actor has managed to build, especially since the release of A.R. Murugadoss’ Holiday. Multiplex ‘junta’ has embraced the new Akshay Kumar on display and his films are now being much anticipated for certain content that the actor has to offer. That has been evidenced in continued success of films like Holiday, Baby and Airlift, while the ceiling is being touched now with the super success of Rustom.
Akshay Kumar and Ileana DCruz in a still from Rustom
100 crore is now no more a benchmark for this Zee Studios and KriArj Entertainment film since Rustom is looking at a much bigger haul ahead. In its second week, while Mohenjo Daro won’t be any competition any more, the only other film in contention is Happy Bhag Jayegi. However, that is a much smaller film with an audience of its own, and hence won’t really make much of a dent to the run that this Tinu Suresh Desai film is currently enjoying.
*Estimates. Final numbers awaited
Note: All collections as per production and distribution sources
