The much-awaited prequel to The Lion King, Mufasa: The Lion King, has made a remarkable debut at the Indian box office.
On its opening day, the film garnered an impressive INR10 crore, with dubbed versions contributing significantly. The Hindi version, featuring Shah Rukh Khan as the voice of Mufasa, led the charge, while the Telugu version, voiced by Mahesh Babu, closely followed suit.
According to industry tracker Sacnilk, the first-day earnings were divided as follows: English (INR4 crore), Hindi (INR3 crore), Telugu (INR2 crore), and Tamil (INR1 crore).
Globally, the film is projected to gross $180 million in its opening weekend, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter.
A key highlight of the film is its stellar voice cast. Shah Rukh Khan and Mahesh Babu bring immense star power, enhancing the appeal of their respective versions. The Hindi version also includes Meiyang Chang as Taka and the popular comic duo Shreyas Talpade and Sanjay Mishra as Timon and Pumbaa.
Adding to the excitement, Shah Rukh Khan’s sons, Aryan Khan and AbRam Khan, contribute their voices. Aryan lends his voice to Simba, while AbRam makes his debut as the younger Mufasa.
The film’s successful opening can also be attributed to strong advance bookings, with approximately 65,000 tickets sold before release. Of these, 35,000 tickets were reserved for the opening day. The Telugu version benefited greatly from Mahesh Babu’s massive fanbase, driving significant pre-release buzz.
As the film progresses at the box office, the question remains whether it can maintain its strong momentum. With breathtaking visuals, a compelling storyline, and a star-studded cast, Mufasa: The Lion King has all the elements to emerge as a blockbuster.
The film’s impressive debut underscores Disney’s storytelling prowess and reflects India’s growing appetite for Hollywood productions. If it continues its trajectory, Mufasa: The Lion King could solidify its place as one of the year’s most celebrated cinematic releases.