Prabhas’ Kalki 2898 AD hits a wall: Why it won’t top Baahubali 2’s box office record

Nag Ashwin’s ambitious sci-fi epic, Kalki 2898 AD, featuring an all-star cast of Amitabh Bachchan, Kamal Haasan, Prabhas, and Deepika Padukone, has had a remarkable run since its release. The film, which recently celebrated its one-month anniversary at the box office, has achieved significant milestones, both in India and internationally. In the competitive North American market, Kalki 2898 AD has become the highest-grossing foreign film of the year, surpassing $18 million in earnings. However, despite these impressive figures, the film appears unlikely to topple the record set by Baahubali 2: The Conclusion for the highest-grossing Indian film in North America.

Box Office Battle: Kalki 2898 AD vs. Baahubali 2

Released in 2017, Baahubali 2: The Conclusion, directed by SS Rajamouli and starring Prabhas and Rana Daggubati, still holds the record for the highest-grossing Indian film in North America. With a staggering $20.77 million in earnings, Baahubali 2 has set a high benchmark for Indian films in the region. Kalki 2898 AD showed strong initial performance, leading many to speculate it could surpass Baahubali 2. However, the film has struggled to maintain momentum as it entered its third and fourth weeks in theatres. As of its 33rd day, Kalki 2898 AD has accumulated approximately $18.48 million, falling short by more than $2 million compared to its predecessor.

The Disappointing Decline

The sharp decline in box office receipts during the film’s later weeks has dashed hopes of it surpassing Baahubali 2. On its 33rd day, Kalki 2898 AD earned only about $7,500, a significant drop from its earlier strong performance. This slowdown suggests that while the film will likely secure the second spot on the list of highest-grossing Indian films in North America, surpassing Baahubali 2’s record is increasingly improbable.

Looking Ahead: Competition on the Horizon

As Kalki 2898 AD nears the end of its theatrical run, attention is turning to the next big release in the Indian film market. Stree 2, starring Shraddha Kapoor and Rajkummar Rao, is set to hit theatres on August 15. With distribution handled by the same team behind Kalki 2898 AD’s North American release, Stree 2 is poised to be a significant contender in the box office race.

It can be noted that while Kalki 2898 AD’s box office success is commendable, it underscores the challenge of breaking longstanding records in an increasingly competitive market. Baahubali 2 set a remarkably high standard, reflecting both the film’s unprecedented popularity and its strong marketing push. Therefore, future releases will need to adopt innovative strategies to compete effectively.