Kalki 2989 AD box office prediction: Can it become India's first movie to gross Rs 200 crore on opening day?

In the run-up to the release of Kalki 2898 AD, one of the most-awaited movies of 2024, there was a noticeable lack of aggressive ground-level promotions. This criticism was particularly voiced by die-hard fans of Telugu superstar Prabhas, who gritted their teeth at the producers, Vyjayanthi Movies, for not doing enough to generate more interest among the public.

However, the cast and crew, led by director Nag Ashwin, seemed to know something and calmly went about promoting the movie in a rather quiet manner. Kalki 2898 AD had many things going for it. It boasts a strong cast comprising some of India's biggest superstars, including Prabhas, Kamal Haasan, Amitabh Bachchan, and Deepika Padukone. The teaser trailers were impressive, and the animation series Bujji and Bhairava introduced the compelling world of Kalki, establishing the main rules, regulations, logic, motivations, and forces that drive its sprawling narrative.

Not to mention, Kamal's unexpected look as Supreme Yaskin was a clincher. It immediately caught the audience's imagination and added more momentum to the already sky-high anticipation.

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The filmmakers' quiet confidence in the movie they made is evident in the exceptional pre-release ticket sales. In advance bookings, the film has already sold more than 10 million tickets. If reviews and word of mouth are positive after the early morning shows, Kalki 2898 AD will set a new box office benchmark in Indian cinema. The film has already earned more than $3 million just from pre-release sales in North America.

Needless to say, Kalki 2898 AD is all set to sweep the box office in the Telugu states. According to predictions, the movie may debut in Telangana by grossing more than Rs 35 crore, shattering the records of past blockbusters.

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The trade believes that Kalki 2898 AD may debut domestically by grossing more than Rs 100 crore. But based on the ongoing trend, it's also expected to become India's first film to earn more than Rs 200 crore on its opening day.

The opening of Kalki 2898 AD challenges the misconception that filmmakers screaming at the top of their lungs and incessantly flooding our timelines with updates is always the right strategy. When you make a good movie, you don't have to go overboard promoting it.

Kalki 2898 AD is set to open in cinemas worldwide on June 27. Shows will start as early as 5 AM in many parts of the country.

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