Ryan Gosling’s space drama Project Hail Mary is quietly pulling off something remarkable at the Indian box office. Stuck in the shadow of Dhurandhar: The Revenge during its first week, the film has still managed to rake in close to Rs 30 crore in India and heading into its second week, it is actually getting more IMAX screens than before.
From 6 IMAX Shows to 108 a Day That Is the Real Story
On its release day, March 26, Project Hail Mary was able to secure shows in only 6 out of 34 IMAX screens in India. The reason was simple Dhurandhar 2 had a stranglehold over premium screens. Fans were furious, and they made sure the internet knew about it.
With strong audience response and growing curiosity around the film, demand surged rapidly. IMAX shows were increased from just 6 to nearly 60 a tenfold jump that clearly reflected rising public interest.
That was just week one. By week two, Project Hail Mary climbed to 108 IMAX shows a day, while Dhurandhar: The Revenge dropped down to just 21 IMAX shows. The film that was once being pushed out of premium screens is now the one dominating them.
Week 1 Collections Are Solid for a Non-Franchise Hollywood Film
The film took its extended opening week’s total to Rs 28.75 crore gross at the Indian box office after eight days, and is likely to cross the Rs 30 crore mark on Good Friday.
Looking at the trend, the film is set for a lifetime collection north of Rs 50 crore in India. That would put it in rare company for a non-franchise Hollywood film.
Project Hail Mary is now the third-biggest weekend opener for a Hollywood film in India after Oppenheimer and Barbie, both from 2023. The fact that it managed this even after losing out on IMAX screens during its opening days says a lot about how much audiences wanted to see it.
The IMAX Demand Was Unlike Anything Seen in a While
IMAX screenings of Project Hail Mary achieved over 40 percent occupancy, a very strong result for a film designed as a large-format cinematic experience, with many late-night shows running to packed houses.
In a rare trend, IMAX shows across key centres sold out within hours, prompting exhibitors to introduce ultra-early and late-night screenings, including 3:45 AM and 5:00 AM slots.
Film exhibitor Akkshay Rathie believes the interest around the film connects back to its use of practical effects the film is famously known to not have a single green screen shot. That kind of authenticity translates brilliantly on a giant IMAX screen, and Indian audiences clearly felt that.
Week 2 Looks Even Better
With no major competition this weekend and a Good Friday holiday bump expected, the Ryan Gosling movie is expected to see solid growth, which might take its total closer to the Rs 40 crore mark.
Globally, the film has crossed $223 million worldwide and is expected to cross the $300 million landmark soon. It is also reportedly Amazon MGM’s highest-grossing movie so far.
Project Hail Mary is one of those films that is winning not because of a big franchise name or a massive marketing blitz but because the experience inside the theatre is genuinely special. Indian audiences have recognised that, and the numbers are showing it.
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