Ajay Devgn's "Action Jackson" (AJ) has raked in below the expected amount on opening day at the domestic box office.
The action thriller was expected to earn more than ₹12 crore, but the opening day collection stands at just ₹10.25 crore, according to Bollywood Hungama. Considering Ajay's last release "Singham Returns" opening day box office collection, "Action Jackson" has opened way below the mark.
Trade analysts and exhibitors were expecting that after a dull November, "Action Jackson" would have a great opening. Exhibitors said that despite releasing on a non-holiday Friday, the film will rake in gigantic numbers.
"Ajay Devgn and Prabhu Dheva have come together for the first time and everyone is looking forward to seeing the new action created by both of them. This film will undoubtedly ring in gigantic numbers inspite of releasing on a non-holiday," Indiaglitz quoted exhibitor Amar Laykar, PVR Cinemax, as saying.
"The last few months were quite dull, which is why everyone has high hopes from Action Jackson. Also, being a solo release, we will run maximum shows. The outstanding response to the advance booking suggests that we will sell out the weekend shows by this evening."
But "Action Jackson" failed to live up to the expectation. The opening day box office income is less than ₹10 crore. Prabhu Deva's directorial film's first day total is less than that of his last film "R... Rajkumar" starring Shahid Kapoor and Sonakshi Sinha. "R... Rajkumar" minted more than ₹10.2 crore on day one at domestic box office.
"Action Jackson" had a decent occupancy in the morning shows, but the negative reviews hampered the evening and night shows occupancy. The film, as expected, opened well at single screens, but low income from multiplexes affected the overall day one collection.
The action thriller will have to show a good jump in its business over the weekend to end the first week on a good note.
"Action Jackson" released on Friday in more than 3500 screens worldwide. The film also features Sonakshi Sinha and Yami Gautam in lead roles and Kunal Roy Kapur, Anandraj and Manasvi Mamgai in supporting roles.