Randeep Hooda’s directorial debut, Swatantrya Veer Savarkar, has not performed as expected at the box office. Despite crossing a million-dollar collection mark in India within a week, the global earnings only reached $1.8 million. The film, in which Hooda plays the lead role of Indian leader Savarkar, received mixed reviews but managed to attract audiences through good word-of-mouth, helping its collections soar over the weekend. However, the film has faced criticism for presenting a biased and limited view of the pre-Independence era in India, lacking in an engaging narrative.
Swatantrya Veer Savarkar has been Hooda’s first venture as a director, showcasing his talents alongside a cast including Amit Sial, Rajesh Khera, and Ankita Lokhande. Despite its flaws, the film addresses many points surrounding the controversial figure of Savarkar and offers a starting point for those interested in this part of Indian history. Meanwhile, Kunal Kemmu’s directorial release, Madgaon Express, has also performed well at the box office, earning $2.5 million in its first week. Kemmu’s fun slapstick comedy traces the lives of three childhood friends on a trip to Goa, featuring a cast that includes Divyendu, Pratik Gandhi, and Nora Fatehi.
Other Hindi films such as Shaitaan, starring Ajay Devgn, R Madhavan, and Jyothika, have continued to attract audiences, earning over $23.5 million in three weeks. Yami Gautam’s Article 370 has also collected $13.2 million in five weeks at the ticket windows. Despite the competition from these successful films, Swatantrya Veer Savarkar and Madgaon Express have managed to hold their ground and establish themselves as contenders in the box office race. Hooda and Kemmu have successfully made their directorial debuts with these films, showcasing their talent both in front of and behind the camera.
The political nature of Swatantrya Veer Savarkar has sparked controversy, with critics pointing out the film’s biased portrayal of events and limited engagement with the audience. Despite this, the film has managed to spark interest in discussions surrounding the historical figure of Savarkar, presenting various pointers for further exploration. The choppiness in narrative structure and abrupt monologues detract from the overall impact of the film, but it still offers valuable insights into a debated part of Indian history. With strong performances from the cast and Hooda’s directorial vision, Swatantrya Veer Savarkar stands out as a significant entry in Bollywood’s recent releases.
Overall, the box office results reflect a diverse range of audiences’ preferences, with films like Shaitaan and Article 370 performing strongly alongside Swatantrya Veer Savarkar and Madgaon Express. Despite facing criticism and competition, Hooda and Kemmu have managed to make a mark with their directorial debuts, showcasing their versatility as filmmakers. As the box office race continues, it will be interesting to see how these films fare in the coming weeks and whether they can maintain their momentum amidst the changing landscape of Bollywood cinema.
