Adipurush box office report: A major Monday crash and many controversies

Bollywood movie Adipurush, which is a retelling of the epic Ramayana, has run into one controversy after another since its release on June 16. The film opened to mixed reviews and, according to the makers, it collected Rs 3.4 billion at the global box office in three days. Despite earning admiration of a section of fans, it has been panned by movie-goers and critics alike.

Adipurush features southern superstar Prabhas and Bollywood actors Kriti Sanon and Saif Ali Khan in lead roles. Many have highlighted what they have called poor VFX in the movie. But it wasn’t just the visual effects of Adipurush which drew criticism. The film has also sparked controversy over its dialogues. Its Hindi dialogue writer, Manoj Muntashir Shukla, even received death threats — with the makers agreeing to alter certain dialogues. Meanwhile, Nepal's Kathmandu and Pokhara have banned all Indian films condemning “objectionable” dialogues in Adipurush.

In another piece of bad news for the makers in the beginning of the week, Adipurush crashed at the box office on Monday, recording a 78% drop in its earnings amid the controversy, reported Box Office India.

Box office

According to T-Series, which co-produced the film, Adipurush — which released on June 16 — collected Rs 1.40 billion worldwide on the first day and earned Rs 3.4 billion at the global box office over the first three days.

But on Monday, Adipurush “collapsed at the box office”, stated Indian trade analyst Taran Adarsh.

Protests

Protests have erupted against Adipurush in different parts of India, including Lucknow, Ayodhya, Varanasi and Palghar. Many have called for its boycott over its portrayal of religious figures. An association of cinema workers in India has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, demanding that the movie be banned.

Death threat

Adipurush Hindi dialogue writer Manoj Muntashir Shukla has claimed that he received death threats for parts of dialogues — which some have called pedestrian — that deities were heard speaking in the movie, reported news agency PTI. The police have enhanced patrolling near his office in Mumbai.

Nepal ban

• Adipurush Review: Hitting the tiring 3-hour mark, the Prabhas-starrer feels templated, lacking emotional resonance