"Pushpa 2: The Rule" continues to rule the box office, maintaining its dominance even three weeks after its release. The film, starring Allu Arjun, has already broken several records, and its box office performance shows no signs of slowing down. Today alone, the movie collected a solid Rs 20 crore, further solidifying its status as a blockbuster. The film’s popularity has been overwhelming, even with other major releases vying for attention. Meanwhile, the fresh release Baby John has made a decent start, with early predictions indicating an opening-day collection in the range of Rs 10-13 crore.
Though Pushpa 2's ongoing success casts a long shadow over Baby John, the latter has managed to carve out a space for itself. The film is gaining traction due to its gripping storyline, energetic performances, and mass appeal. Early reviews from audiences have been largely positive, with many praising the film for its entertainment value and emotional depth. Baby John has been described as a commercial entertainer designed to captivate a wide audience, with trade experts noting its potential for growth over the weekend. According to Ramesh Bala, the initial feedback for the film has been positive overall, though some critics have pointed out minor flaws. Despite this, the general sentiment is that it is a solid crowd-pleaser, tailored for fans of mass entertainment.
Trade expert Taran Adarsh emphasized that Baby John is a quintessential masala film, aiming squarely at the mass audience. The film is a remake of the 2016 Tamil film Theri, and although the plot is not particularly original, it remains highly engaging. Adarsh pointed out that the film’s strength lies in its packaging, which appeals to a broad demographic. He also noted that while the first half of the movie was somewhat slow in pace, it picks up significantly after a key turning point just before the interval. The second half of the film offers more excitement, with action-packed sequences and emotional moments. However, Adarsh suggested that the film could have benefited from a more concise runtime, as it does feel somewhat long in parts.
Looking at the early collection figures, Ramesh Bala noted that Baby John is performing reasonably well at the box office, although it is facing stiff competition for screen space due to Pushpa 2’s continued popularity and other regional films releasing around the same time. He mentioned that despite the challenges, Baby John has still managed to secure a decent number of screens, especially in single-screen theaters, where the film's mass appeal resonates strongly. The competition from regional films like Kannada, Malayalam, and Tamil releases has further complicated the scenario, as these films are also vying for attention in the same theaters.
Despite these challenges, both Bala and Adarsh remain optimistic about Baby John's potential to perform well, especially with the holiday season in full swing. Adarsh pointed out that while the film faces competition from Pushpa 2, which is still going strong in multiplexes and metro cities, Baby John could benefit from the upcoming long weekend. With Christmas and New Year’s bringing a rush of moviegoers to theaters, there is ample opportunity for Baby John to gain momentum over the next few days. The lack of major releases in early January could further help the film carve out a more significant presence in the market.
As for the first-day collections, it is still early to provide a definitive figure, but based on current trends, experts predict that Baby John will likely collect Rs 13-14 crore on its opening day, with the potential to hit Rs 15 crore if evening and night shows perform strongly. The film’s initial momentum is promising, especially when considering the limited screen availability and the fierce competition from other films. In contrast, Pushpa 2’s continued success is a major factor in the film industry’s conversation, with the movie projected to earn over Rs 20 crore even in its third week, a remarkable achievement for a film of its kind.
Despite the stiff competition from Pushpa 2, both Bala and Adarsh agree that Baby John has a good chance of achieving strong numbers over the weekend. Bala mentioned that while a film like Pushpa 2 can undoubtedly affect the opening performance of a new release, the holiday period offers a unique opportunity for Baby John to sustain a steady pace at the box office. With the New Year holiday period and no major releases on the horizon in early January, the film is likely to continue drawing audiences to theaters. The key to the film’s success will lie in its ability to build on positive word-of-mouth and offer an engaging experience to moviegoers.
Directed by Kalees, Baby John features an ensemble cast led by Varun Dhawan, Keerthy Suresh, and Wamiqa Gabbi in key roles. The film, which was released on December 25, offers a blend of action, drama, and emotion, making it a prime candidate for family audiences and fans of commercial cinema. With a solid storyline, memorable performances, and a strong mass appeal, Baby John is poised for a promising run, provided it can maintain momentum over the crucial first week of release. The competition will undoubtedly remain fierce, but with a bit of luck and positive word-of-mouth, Baby John may emerge as a strong performer in the coming weeks.
