Dear Zindagi 1st day box office collection: Alia Bhatt-Shah Rukh Khan's film gets average opening

Alia Bhatt and Shah Rukh Khan's Dear Zindagi has received an average opening at the Indian box office. It is likely to show growth in later shows during the day, and make a good collection on the first day.

Read: Dear Zindagi Review | Audience Review | Critics Verdict | Cellebs Review | Box Office

The success of Gauri Shinde's debut film English Vinglish had created a lot of curiosity about her second venture, Dear Zindagi. The association of popular actors like Alia Bhatt and Shah Rukh Khan had also put the film in public spotlight. The buzz was further intensified by its promos, which were received well by viewers.

Trade experts had predicted that Gauri Shinde's movie will get a decent opening, but also that its first day collection will not be as big as that of Shah Rukh Khan's regular films, as it is an unconventional movie for him. Another reason for the tepid response is that the Bollywood superstar is not playing a full-fledged role, but an extended cameo in Dear Zindagi. The subject of the film is aimed at entertaining the hardcore multiplex audience.

It's no wonder then that Dear Zindagi got off to an average start at the domestic box office and registered an average of 35 to 40 percent occupancy in morning shows in big cities. Raj Bansal, a film distributor and multiplex owner, tweeted: "#DearZindagi @iamsrk @aliaa08 opens with average collections during morning shows all over. Not a good sign ..... hope it picks up."

The Alia Bhatt and Shah Rukh Khan-starrer has got positive talk from viewers who watched it in the first show. The word-of-mouth publicity is expected to boost its collection in the afternoon and evening shows. As per early trends, Dear Zindagi is expected to collect over Rs 8 crore net at the Indian box office on the first day. It will beat the record of English Vinglish, which collected Rs 2.50 crore on the first day.

The Gauri Shinde-directed film was premiered in over 130 screens across North America on Wednesday night and received a superb response. Dear Zindagi collected $172,571 (Rs 1.19 crore) at the US box office in the preview show. Taran Adarsh tweeted: "#DearZindagi had a midweek release in USA [Thanksgiving Weekend]... Collected an IMPRESSIVE $ 172,571 [₹ 1.19 cr] on Wednesday. @Rentrak."