Emraan Hashmi's highly anticipated film 'Awarapan 2' has made a resounding impact at the box office, achieving a remarkable milestone in its opening weekend. The film, which marks the actor's return to the role of Shivam Pandit nearly two decades after the original was released in 2007, has collected over ₹110 crore worldwide in just three days, solidifying its position as one of Hashmi's biggest successes.
The sequel, directed by Nitin Kakkar and produced by Vishesh Bhatt, has been performing exceptionally well in India and internationally, with its India gross reaching ₹98.10 crore and overseas collections standing at ₹12 crore over the opening weekend. The film's impressive numbers are a testament to the enduring popularity of the original, which, despite not making a significant impact at the box office during its theatrical run, has gradually gained a loyal following and become a cult favourite over the years.
On its third day, the film collected ₹31.20 crore gross in India, which, although saw a 23% drop from the previous day's collection of ₹40.50 crore, still remained comfortably ahead of its opening-day collection of ₹26.40 crore. The film's continued appeal to audiences is evident in its Sunday box office numbers, with 9,403 shows drawing in large crowds and sustaining the momentum that was initially fueled by the Independence Day holiday.
Awarapan 2 boasts an ensemble cast, featuring Disha Patani and Shabana Azmi alongside Emraan Hashmi as Shivam Pandit. The film's success is a significant achievement, especially when compared to the original, which managed a lifetime collection of mere ₹13 crore. The sequel has not only surpassed this figure in its first day of release but has also established itself as a major theatrical success.
Critics have praised the film for its effective first half, which keeps viewers engaged with the rehash of the popular 'Toh Phir Aao' song doing much of the heavy lifting on the nostalgia front. However, some stretches of the story have been criticized for being repetitive, with gunfights occurring at an alarming rate, leaving characters little time to process one shootout before another begins.
Despite these criticisms, Awarapan 2 has undeniably made a lasting impression on audiences, cementing Emraan Hashmi's position as one of Bollywood's most bankable stars. As the film continues to perform well at the box office, it will be interesting to see how it maintains its momentum and whether it can sustain its success in the coming weeks.
The film's success is a testament to the enduring power of nostalgia and the ability of a well-crafted sequel to tap into the emotions and memories of audiences. As Awarapan 2 continues to make waves at the box office, it is clear that this film will be remembered as one of the biggest successes of Emraan Hashmi's career.
