Martin Box Office Day 1: Dhruva Sarja starrer takes big opening despite tough competition

The latest Kannada film Martin, starring Dhruva Sarja, has kicked off to an impressive start, marking the biggest opening of his career. Despite facing tough competition at the box office from Superstar Rajinikanth's Vettaiyan and Bollywood's Jigra, starring Alia Bhatt, Martin has managed to hold its ground with an impressive Rs 7 crore collection on its first day, surpassing the opening day numbers of Sarja’s previous hit Pogaru.

Karnataka theatres, particularly in Bengaluru, saw a surge in footfalls over the weekend, largely driven by the trio of blockbuster releases. While advance online bookings for Martin were underwhelming, trade sources report strong on-the-spot bookings and walk-ins at single-screen theatres, contributing to the film’s robust day-one performance.

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However, Martin has been met with polarizing reactions on social media. While some fans are thrilled by Dhruva Sarja’s action-packed performance, others have criticized the film for its over-the-top moments, narrative gaps, and subpar visual effects. Despite the mixed feedback, industry experts are keenly watching whether the film can sustain its box office momentum in the coming days.

Martin is the most ambitious project of Dhruva Sarja’s career, both in terms of scale and budget. Despite its multi-language release, the film failed to garner significant traction outside Karnataka. The film is based on a story penned by Dhruva’s uncle, Arjun Sarja, and is written and directed by AP Arjun.

The film’s journey to release was far from smooth. Production delays and a fallout between the director and producers dampened the initial excitement following the teaser’s release. Additionally, financial issues led to the cancellation of morning shows on its release day, adding to the film's challenges.

Martin follows the story of an Indian prisoner in Pakistan and his daring exploits beyond enemy lines. As the film progresses, its success hinges on whether it can overcome mixed reviews and continue drawing audiences to theatres.

Meanwhile, Rajinikanth's Vettaiyan is holding strong despite receiving mixed reviews, and Jigra is gaining momentum, driven by glowing critical praise.

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