It’s been pitched as the big daddy of all Bollywood clashes, and as Wednesday morning — 25 January 2017 — rolled around, the teams for both sides were in place with all the requisite ammunition. On one side is Raees, starring Shah Rukh Khan, Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Mahira Khan; directed by Rahul Dholakia and produced by Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani’s Excel Entertainment. And on the other, there is Kaabil — a Roshan family production — directed by Sanjay Gupta and fronted by Hrithik Roshan and Yami Gautam. [caption id=“attachment_3219732” align=“alignnone” width=“825”]  Shah Rukh Khan with Mahira Khan in ‘Raees’; (R) Yami Gautam and Hrithik Roshan in ‘Kaabil’[/caption] Both films are opening on comparable number of screens: Raees has around 2,600, while Kaabil has 2,200 The pre-release buzz for both movies, based on their trailers, was also promising. And while they’re both different enough — Raees is a period gangster flick, Kaabil a contemporary revenge drama — and should be able to find their own audiences, the mere fact of their theatrical release occurring at the same time, is enough to pitch them into direct conflict. There have been some who say this is a ‘manufactured contest’ — that there is enough space for both films to open, and do good business. If that were the case, Rakesh Roshan would not have spoken out — on several occasions — about how Raees’ release date was unfair to his film, which had fixed on its Republic Day date much earlier. The business that either of these big-ticket films could have expected to do, had they been solo releases will now take twice as long, as collections (and audience footfalls) will be halved. So which of the two films will walk away with the lion’s share of the opening day collection? Which will win greater kudos from the critics and audiences? Firstpost will be tracking the competition, every step of the way. Stay tuned.
Raees vs Kaabil Day 5: Shah Rukh's film now at Rs 93 crore; Hrithik follows with Rs 67 crore
Shah Rukh Khan’s Raees or Hrithik Roshan’s Kaabil: Which of the two films will walk away with the lion’s share of the opening day collection? And which will win greater kudos from the critics and audiences? Stay tuned to Firstpost for updates.
 "Raees vs Kaabil Day 5: Shah Rukh's film now at Rs 93 crore; Hrithik follows with Rs 67 crore")
The first weekend was supposed to be the testing point for both Raees and Kaabil — and in a promising development, both films have registered solid earnings. Over the 28-29 January weekend, Kaabil — Hrithik Roshan’s old school revenge saga — added a neat Rs 30 crore to its kitty (Rs 15 crore each, on Saturday and Sunday) to bring up its total collections to Rs 67.46 crores. Meanwhile, Raees’ total collections — after five days in the theatres — stand at Rs 93.24 crore. The collection figures were shared by trade analyst Taran Adarsh.
Raees is now well in sight of touching the Rs 100 crore mark. This will be Shah Rukh Khan’s seventh film to enter the 100-crore club, Taran Adarsh said.
Chennai city Day 1 gross#Raees = 21 lakhs#Kaabil + #Balam = 11 lakhs
— Kaushik LM (@LMKMovieManiac) January 26, 2017
2:1 ratio maintained here too.. #SRK #ShahRukhKhan @iamsrk 👍
Forbes reports that in the overseas markets, the gap between the collections of Raees and Kaabil is much higher, as Shah Rukh Khan’s film is generating way more buzz due to word of mouth.
It further adds that Raees is most likely to make Rs 100 cr by Sunday, and that the gap between the two films will decrease over the weekend, giving Kaabil a good headstart too.
Here’s an interesting piece of information.
Trade Analyst Amod Mehra reports that, Raees could have made Rs 40-45 crore on Day 1 had there not been a clash with Hrithik’s film.
Had there not been a clash #Raees yesterday would have crossed 40-45cr.. Nevertheless it broke all records by netting 26.30cr.. !! Bravo !!
— Amod Mehra (@MehraAmod) January 27, 2017
#RaeesvsKaabil Day 2 Early Estimates:
— Ramesh Bala (@rameshlaus) January 27, 2017
India Nett:#Raees - ₹ 26.5 Crs Total - ₹ 47 Crs#Kaabil - ₹ 16 Crs Total - ₹ 26.5 Crs
After a massive box office opening on Day 1, both films have only rised on Day 2.
Read Firstpost’s box office reports here: http://bit.ly/2jU2RtS , http://bit.ly/2kvrwrY
Shah Rukh Khan tweets on Republic Day
Happy Republic Day to all Indians all over the world. Jai Hind. pic.twitter.com/JWkXJTOlw1
— Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) January 26, 2017
Meanwhile.
Wanted to watch a movie this weekend but looking at the ticket prices I realized I am neither #Kaabil nor #Raees.😜@ShelarAshish @iamsrk pic.twitter.com/bEZSfjAxup
— Adv Ameet Mehta (@ameetvmehta) January 26, 2017
Our jawans show @iamsrk how it's done on Republic Day. #HappyRepublicDay pic.twitter.com/NeQoLCYZO5
— Excel Entertainment (@excelmovies) January 26, 2017
Firstpost‘s south India contributing writer Sreedhar Pillai has spoken:
#Raees 3/5. Edge of seat, with awesome performance @iamsrk .A thrilling & exciting rid, reminding U of Salim &Javed Bachchan movies of 80's
— Sreedhar Pillai (@sri50) January 25, 2017
#Kaabil 2.75/5. Other than @iHrithik who is fantastic , there is nothing much to say. Predictable revenge drama with lot of plot holes.
— Sreedhar Pillai (@sri50) January 25, 2017
Rage #Raees pic.twitter.com/jzL0mIPaBB
— Vishal Ramchandani (@vishalrr) January 25, 2017
Box Office India has said it. Raees has reportedly taken a huge lead against Kaabil in the morning shows on January 25. “Raees took one of the best openings for a Shah Rukh Khan film in recent times.”
Meanwhile, actor Sudhanshu Pandey, who was embroiled in a battle with filmmakers Rakesh Roshan and Sanjay Gupta over the story of “Kaabil”, is planning to make his version of the film in Tamil.
“I am in talks with a big production company in South to make this film there. We are in talks with the biggest stars of south. Hopefully the shoot will start soon and the release will happen by the end of the year ,” Sudhanshu told PTI.
Here’s some interesting trivia about Hrithik Roshan’s Kaabil.
Did you know that Ronit Roy initially refused to play the negative role in the film?
When director Sanjay Gupta narrated the film to him, Rohit was “blown away with the premise” but was hesitant to sign the film.
“When he narrated me my role, I said no to the film. I said I can’t do it, and he was taken aback too. I was worried because in 20 years of my acting career, I’ve never done this kind of role,” Rohit told PTI.
“It could have gone either way. It is not only evil but very lecherous. After being here for so many years, then not being able to pull it off would’ve been bad. It was a matter of confidence.”
Rohit says having Hrithik as a co-star was an absolute delight, as the “Bang Bang” actor is selfless and caring.
“A lot of credit goes to Hrithik. While filming he made sure my confidence was at another level. Whether it was rehearsing for the fight sequences, doing them, he took extreme care.
“There was a shot where he hits me and I had a dead fall. But there was no crash mat that day. He didn’t give the shot unless a crash mat was arranged. He then called for his own and then gave the shot,” Rohit adds.
Raees vs Kaabil! @Bollyhungama cartoon #Raees #Kaabil #KailashVijayvargiya pic.twitter.com/chlJG2JaSZ
— Satish Acharya (@satishacharya) January 26, 2017
.@diljitdosanjh Sorry for trying to sing paaji but had to tell u how much I love u. Please watch Raees in Punjab with friends. pic.twitter.com/bLSe6FPThs
— Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) January 25, 2017
##Raees is a RIOT today.... Morning shows starts with almost 80% occupncy all over India... Kolkata begins with 100% @iamsrk @rahuldholakia
— Rohit Jaiswal (@rohitjswl01) January 26, 2017
VHP leader Ranchhod Bharwad also slammed SRK for casting Pakistani actor Mahira Khan as the female lead, alleging that she made anti-India statements after going back to Pakistan, reports PTI.
“We believe that government should ban the movie and book Khan for sedition for making such a movie,” said Bharwad.
The VHP leader also held Khan responsible for the death of a person at Vadodara railway station two days back, when the crowd which had gathered to have a glimpse of the actor went out of control.
Police must book Khan for the death, he said. “Government should ban this movie, as it indulges in hero-worshipping of mafia dons,” said Bharwad.
A few VHP and Bajrang Dal workers shouted slogans outside a theatre in Valsad this morning. Police dispersed them before the situation could worsen, said a police officer.
The Gujarat unit of Shiv Sena also asked the BJP government in the state to stop the screening of Raees, claiming that “portrayal of Abdul Latif as a hero” would encourage bootleggers and anti-social element.
“Instead of highlighting police officers who tamed Latif, the makers have projected Dawood Ibrahim’s aide Latif as a hero of the masses,” said Sena leader Ashok Sharma.
VHP, Guj Shiv Sena seek ban on SRK’s ‘Raees’?
PTI reports, Rashtra Sena, a little known outfit, has also put up banners in several parts of Surat against the actor and the movie.
Vishwa Hindu Parishad and the Gujarat unit of Shiv Sena sought a ban on Shah Rukh Khan-starrer Raees on Wednesday, claiming the movie “glorified” a real-life “criminal”.
Rashtra Sena, a little known outfit, has also put up banners in several parts of Surat against the actor and the movie, which hit the screens on Wednesday.
VHP leader Ranchhod Bharwad said the title character in Raees, played by Khan, is based on the life of Abdul Latif, a bootlegger-turned-politician.
“India had so many great personalities on whom you can make a movie. But Khan chose Abdul Latif, who was a dreaded criminal, bootlegger and a mafia don. Khan claimed the movie is based on fictional character but everyone knows that Raees is based on Latif,” said Bharwad.
Trade website Bollywood Hungama reported that Kaabil’s Rs 10+ crore opening has made it among Hrithik’s top-five day one earners, providing these figures for his films and their respective day 1 box office collections:
Bang Bang: Rs 27.54 crore
Agneepath: Rs 23 crore
Krrish 3: Rs 19 crore
Kaabil: Rs 10.43 crore
Kites: Rs 10 crore
Mohenjo Daro: Rs. 8.87 crore
Read more here: http://bit.ly/2jU2RtS
It’s confirmed! The Express Tribune has reported that Raees and Kaabil will be released in Pakistan this Friday.
As the actors and producers concerned have maintained a not-so-quiet silence on the clash at the box office, India.com has reported an ongoing battle between distributors of Raees and Kaabil.
According to the report, distributors of both films are struggling to maintain equal screens for both films.
Sources have revealed that a huge problem is underway in Delhi for equal show timings for Raees and Kaabil as studios for both the films have not agreed to compromise on less screens.
Here are some numbers from Cochin, on Raees and Kaabil.
Cochin Multiplexes #Kerala 25/01/2017#Raees ~ 7.47 Lakhs (82%)#Kaabil ~ 3.65 Lakhs (57%)@sri50 @taran_adarsh @girishjohar @KomalNahta pic.twitter.com/J5XbOjH1v8
— Mollywood Story (@Mollywoodstory) January 25, 2017
KRK has spoken (again)!
Today from very first show, both films #Raees n #Kaabil are running houseful all over India. So combined collections will be approx 40Cr.
— KRK (@kamaalrkhan) January 26, 2017
Here are the overseas collection for Raees and Kaabil, according to Bollywood Hungama:
Australia
Kaabil – 4,080 USD [Rs. 2.77 lacs] from 5 screens.
Raees -3,984 USD [Rs. 2.71 lacs] from 1 screen
New Zealand
Kaabil – 3,565 USD [Rs. 2.42 lacs] from 9 screens
Raees – 16,069 USD [Rs. 10.93 lacs] from 11 screens
The box office predictions for Raees are very similar to with SRK’s previous releases — Fan (which brought in Rs 19 crores on opening day) and Dilwale (which had a Rs 21 crore opening).
Read about the full Raees box office report here: http://bit.ly/2kvrwrY
Exclusive!
Confirmed news from the Kaabil team: Hrithik’s film has opened to 40% theatre share in multiplexes as well as a smaller share of the single screens yesterday. It collected 10.43 cr on Day One.
The film is expected to grow over the Republic Day weekend on the strength of audience reactions.
Meanwhile, Pakistani newspaper Dawn reported that Nawaz Sharif is expected to issue a no-objective certificate (NOC) for the screening of Raees and Hrithik Roshan’s Kaabil soon.
“We can expect that it will take at least two days after the NOC has been issued for the films to be screened,” a senior official at Hum Films, which is releasing Kaabil and Raees in Pakistan jointly with Eveready Pictures, was quoted as saying.
Raees and Kaabil in Pakistan
Dangal was widely believed to be the movie that would be the first to release in Pakistan after distributors and exhibitors there lifted a self-imposed ban on the screening of Indian films, in the wake of bilateral tensions post-Uri attack and the subsequent surgical strikes across the border by the Indian Army.
However, while Dangal has not been screened so far in Pakistani theatres, it emerges that Raees and Kaabil may well be released there.
Indian Express reported that cinema owners were lobbying the Pakistani government to “go soft” on Indian films. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif then set up a committee last week, headed by Minister of State for Information Maryam Aurangzeb, which them recommended that the ‘ban’ be lifted.
The recommendation is likely to benefit both Raees and Kaabil.
However, there is no official confirmation on when these films will release in Pakistan.
With packed shows yesterday, and massive turnouts for both Hrithik Roshan’s Kaabil and Shah Rukh Khan’s Raees, the one question on everyone’s mind is:
What is the box office collections for Day 1? Follow our live blog for all the updates and info!
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