Last year and earlier this year, we came up with multiple articles wherein we asked trade experts how much the digital films would have earned at the box office had there been no lockdown and had these films been released in cinemas. After a tremendous response to each of our stories, we are now back with a similar exercise.
NOTE – The box office data presented is for India box office only
This time, we speak about Shershaah. It told the real-life story of the Kargil War hero, Captain Vikram Batra and how he gave up his life at a very young age. Starring Sidharth Malhotra and, this Karan Johar and Shabbir Boxwala production was shot in the real locations before the pandemic. It was scheduled to initially release in cinemas on July 3, 2020. But due to the prolonged lockdown, it was delayed for a year. Its next release date of July 2, 2021, was announced in February this year. Sadly, the second lockdown was imposed in April. With no other option, the makers decided to release it directly on Amazon Prime. The film was finally released digitally on August 12 and opened to a fantastic response from critics and viewers alike.
Probable Theatrical Box Office Lifetime: Rs. 120 to 130 crores
If Shershaah had been released in cinemas, it would have taken a slow start. The trailer was impressive and also, the film looked like a rich, grand product fit for the big screen. However, lead actor Sidharth Malhotra’s track record hasn’t been encouraging and this would have affected the opening. But the terrific word of mouth would have seen collections grow dramatically from day 2. The film would have held and maintained its collections well in the weekdays. By the second weekend, it would have got tax-free status in several states and this would have further helped the film. Also, the songs are a rage and the youth especially would have gone in big numbers to catch the film. In short, Shershaah would have safely been Sidharth Malhotra’s Rs. 100 crore grosser.
Trade Verdict:
Trade analyst Taran Adarsh said, “Shershaah would have gone anywhere between Rs. 125-150 crore. If this film had been released pre-Covid, then I am confident that it would have crossed the Rs. 100 crore mark.”
He added, “It has been a turning point in Sidharth Malhotra’s career. Even now, people have been talking about it. Post-release, the kind of love the film has gotten in recent times is very rare. Nowadays, people don’t mince words as far as movies are concerned. In that regard, Shershaah stands out completely.”
Trade expert Komal Nahta, in agreement, told us, “The way people have liked Shershaah, I think it would have easily earned Rs. 100 crores. This would have been a great feat for Sidharth Malhotra.”
A lot of netizens have expressed displeasure over the digital release of Shershaah. They feel that this well-made film would have worked big time in cinemas and hence, the producers should have waited a few more months and release it on the big screen. At this, Taran Adarsh explained, “Every film comes with a budget. I am sure Sidharth Malhotra must have also felt, ‘I wish this film had come in theatres’. Once a movie is complete and the interest starts mounting, certain steps need to be taken. Also, the pandemic is still looming large. Some decisions are in the interest of the film and not in the interest of the individual. Otherwise, who doesn’t like revenue from the theatrical?”
Komal Nahtra opined, “Different people will have different opinions. It should be the prerogative of the producer to decide. The makers must have weighed the pros and cons. They must have thought about what will happen if we wait vis-à-vis what will happen if we come directly on OTT. It’s not such a simple decision. There’s the interest factor and each film should have the bandwidth to bear that interest cost. Also, the digital release deal must have been finalized months back when the situation was not good. Today, it seems fine for us to say that they should have waited because, at present, cinemas have opened up. But a few months back, there was no clue when cinemas would reopen. Hence, the decision was taken in the interest of the film.”
Nevertheless, the trade experts are sure that Sidharth Malhotra would reap the benefits of Shershaah’s success on Amazon Prime. Komal Nahta assured, “It’s not that since Shershaah has come on digital, he would not benefit. Of course, he would benefit because the praise for the film and Sidharth is a lot. So I am sure that he’ll stand to gain even though it did not release in theatres.”
Taran Adarsh signed off by saying, “Sidharth was going through a low phase. It is always that one film that is a turning point and that acknowledges the hard work and effort that you have put in. We have always known Sidharth Malhotra as a good looking person with a fine screen presence. But for him to carry the film on his shoulders in such a way is a rarity. So Shershaah has surprised a lot of people and silenced a lot of naysayers who doubted his potential. He kept working and improved himself. And that is his strength.”
