As soon as Ajay Devgn’s film 'Raid 2' hit theaters, it stirred excitement among audiences. The teaser and trailer had already generated a positive buzz, and the film's reception affirms the immense faith viewers have in Ajay.
'Raid 2' opened with an unprecedented reception that nobody foresaw. Compared to the original 'Raid' from 2018, its sequel nearly doubled its box office on the first day. This success once again underlines Ajay Devgn’s prowess in the realm of sequels. Let's dive deeper into what makes this achievement remarkable.
'Raid 2's Explosive Debut
Ajay's latest film raked in a staggering ₹19.71 crores on its first day in theaters. 'Raid 2' now holds the title for the third largest opening in Bollywood by 2025, following 'Chhava' and 'Sikandar'. Following the lockdown, Ajay had massive hits with 'Drishyam 2' and 'Shaitan', each opening around the ₹15 crores mark. 'Tanhaji', another blockbuster, released before the lockdown, opened similarly around ₹15 crores. However, 'Raid 2' has eclipsed all these numbers.
Source: aajtak
When the original 'Raid' was released in 2018, it made ₹10 crores on its debut day. Therefore, 'Raid 2's opening nearly doubles that, setting new benchmarks. This is not the first time Ajay's sequels have performed such feats.
Ajay Devgn: The King of Sequels
In Bollywood’s modern landscape, no superstar matches Ajay Devgn’s repertoire of franchise films. Ajay's knack for delivering substantial earning franchise films sets him apart. The opening collection figures of his films are testimony to his success.
Back in 2006, Ajay appeared in the first 'Golmaal' film, opening at ₹2.32 crores. Its sequel in 2008 more than doubled, launching with ₹5.89 crores. The latest in the franchise, 'Golmaal Again' (2017), shattered records with an opening collection exceeding ₹30 crores.
Source: aajtak
Ajay was among the first A-list stars in the modern era to understand the value of sequels, boasting successful franchises like Golmaal, Singham, Drishyam, and Raid. Every new installment surpasses its predecessor, ensuring Ajay delivers a guaranteed blockbuster each year. This alleviates pressure on him to consistently deliver box office hits, allowing him to venture into fresh narratives annually.
Audiences place immense trust in Ajay, which, coupled with his dedication to maintaining film quality, fortifies his reputation. Consider the contrast; Akshay Kumar's recently released 'Kesari 2', a sequel to 2019’s 'Kesari', fell short, opening under ₹8 crores against the first film's ₹21 crore debut. Despite receiving predominantly positive reviews, it couldn’t match Ajay’s consistent results.
Ajay's focus on quality in franchise films affords him the leverage to bring more sequels soon. Anticipation builds for upcoming sequels to hits like 'De De Pyaar De', 'Son of Sardaar', and 'Shaitan'. Whether Ajay can transform these into successful franchises is yet to be seen.
