Kartik Aaryan’s debut in the sports drama genre with ‘Chandu Champion’ concluded its first week at the global box office with a lukewarm performance, grossing nearly $6 million worldwide.
Directed by Kabir Khan (’83’, ‘Bajrangi Bhaijaan’), the film features Aaryan portraying the role of Indian gold medalist Murlikant Petkar.
Released across 3200 screens in India and 1300 screens internationally, ‘Chandu Champion’ aimed to capture audiences with its inspiring narrative. Despite a wide release, the film garnered approximately $5 million within its first seven days in India, falling short of early industry expectations.
Trade analysts anticipated a subdued opening for the Bollywood flick, predicting below $1 million on its first day. ‘Chandu Champion’ managed to achieve $950,000 globally and $560,000 domestically on its Friday debut, buoyed by moderate audience reception. The momentum increased on Saturday, with collections rising to $1.5 million in India, pushing the film’s two-day global earnings past the $2 million mark.
The highlight came on Sunday when ‘Chandu Champion’ recorded its best performance, grossing slightly over $1 million in India alone. This surge propelled its global earnings to $3.7 million by the end of the weekend. However, the film’s traction slowed during the week, accumulating $3.6 million domestically and $4.8 million worldwide by the fourth day.
Produced by Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment and Kabir Khan Films, ‘Chandu Champion’ also stars Vijay Raaz and Bhuvan Arora in pivotal roles, adding depth to its portrayal of Petkar’s journey from adversity to triumph.
Despite initial anticipation and solid performances on key days, ‘Chandu Champion’ faces the challenge of maintaining audience interest in the competitive Bollywood landscape. As it continues its theatrical run, the film aims to capitalize on positive word-of-mouth and the enduring appeal of Kartik Aaryan’s star power to enhance its box office prospects.