Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna's much-talked about period drama film 'Ranabaali', one of the most loved and popular pairs of South cinema, has registered a great start at the box office as soon as it hit the theatres. There was tremendous curiosity among the audience and fans about this historical background film directed by Rahul Sankrityayan even before its release. From multiplexes in Lucknow, Delhi and Mumbai to South Indian strongholds like Hyderabad, Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam, theaters witnessed huge footfalls on the opening day. According to trade tracking reports, the film has made a strong claim at the ticket window by crossing strong double digit domestic gross collection and worldwide figures on the very first day. Vijay Deverakonda's strong action avatar and his on-screen chemistry with Rashmika Mandanna has completely succeeded in drawing the audience to the theatres.
According to preliminary data from trade analytics website Sacnilk, 'Ranbali' has done a net business of around Rs 9.25 crore in India on the first day across all languages. If we talk about the gross collection (India Gross) including taxes at the domestic level, then this figure has crossed Rs 10.75 crore. More than 2,515 shows of the film were organized across the country, in which more than 7 lakh 11 thousand footfalls enjoyed the film on the first day. The opening day trends have proved that Vijay Deverakonda's fan following in the mass belt and Telugu states has once again been successful in showing its impact at the box office.
The film has received a lot of love from the audience not only in India but also in the overseas markets. 'Ranbali', released in USA, UK, Gulf countries and Australia, has collected an impressive gross collection of around Rs 5.75 crore on the first day at the overseas box office. With this, the total first day worldwide gross collection of the film has reached the level of Rs 16.50 crore. This fast start of double digits globally is considered to be a great relief for the producers and distributors of the film, because it makes the path of profit of the film easier during the opening weekend.
The overall average theater occupancy on the first day for the Telugu 2D and other versions of 'Ranbali' was recorded around 55 to 57 percent. While the day started with a normal occupancy of 40.92 percent in the morning shows, this graph increased to 56.31 percent in the afternoon shows. In the evening this figure was 51.77 percent, while the number of viewers reached its peak in night shows and the occupancy was recorded at 67.92 percent. In major cities like Hyderabad, occupancy at many prime theaters and single screens was above 70 percent and housefull boards were seen at many places.
If we look at the state-wise earning equation, the biggest support for the film is from the home regions of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana (AP/TG). Out of the total domestic gross collection of Rs 10.75 crore, a collection of around Rs 9.25 crore was recorded from AP-Telangana alone. Apart from this, there was a gross turnover of about Rs 1.10 crore from Karnataka, Rs 15 lakh from Tamil Nadu and about Rs 25 lakh from the rest of the country including North India. Film critics believe that as word-of-mouth strengthens, its collections in multiplexes in the Hindi and non-Telugu belts may also see a jump on Saturday and Sunday.
The story of the film 'Ranbali' is based on the background of the historical 'Madras Famine' that occurred in the Rayalaseema region between 1876 and 1878. The film stars Vijay Deverakonda in the role of 'Singanamala Bobbili Ranabali', who leads a vigorous local resistance against the brutal colonial policies of the British and the atrocities imposed on the people. Rashmika Mandanna has played the sensitive and influential character of his wife 'Jayamma' in the film. The richly shot action scenes, historical setting and serious social issues have impressed the common cinema lovers.
After doing a worldwide gross business of Rs 16.50 crore on the first day, now all eyes are on the collection of Saturday and Sunday. Advance booking trends suggest that a 30 to 40 percent increase in the number of visitors is possible during the weekend. If the film's domestic net collection increases by Rs 12 to 14 crore on Saturday, then 'Ranbali' can easily join the worldwide gross club of Rs 45 to 50 crore in its first three days of opening weekend itself. In this festive season, this film is emerging as the first choice of theaters for families and youth.