Emergency movie hit or flop, Box Office Collection Day 2 worldwide

Kangana Ranaut’s directorial venture, Emergency, released on January 17, 2025, has sparked widespread attention for its bold narrative and historical significance. The film, which portrays the controversial Emergency period in Indian history (1975–77), features Ranaut in the role of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Despite the anticipation surrounding its release, the movie has seen a lukewarm start at the box office, raising questions about its commercial viability.

Box Office Collection Day 2 worldwide

Below is the detailed day-wise net collection of Emergency in India:

Day	Date	Collection (₹ Crore)
Day 1	January 17	2.35
Day 2	January 18	2.80
Total (2 Days)		5.15 *

The total India net collection for the first two days stands at ₹5.15 crore. Internationally, the film has fared slightly better, with worldwide earnings crossing ₹7 crore within the same period. However, these figures are modest, considering the high expectations and the film’s production budget.

Emergency Movie Budget

The production and promotional budget for Emergency is estimated at ₹50 crore. The film’s budget covers its extensive period settings, elaborate costumes, and the costs of recreating a pivotal era in Indian history. To break even, the film needs to recover at least ₹60 crore in gross revenue, accounting for distribution and other costs. This means the movie must significantly pick up momentum over the coming weeks to avoid being labeled a commercial failure.

Emergency Movie: Hit or Flop?

The film’s early box office performance raises the inevitable question: Is Emergency a hit or a flop?
Based on the initial figures, the movie is underperforming relative to its budget. Despite Kangana Ranaut’s strong presence and a well-executed marketing campaign, the collections have been slow. While Day 2 showed a marginal increase over Day 1, the numbers are far below what is expected for a film of this scale.

What Determines a Hit?

For Emergency to be considered a «hit,» it must:

1. Recover its production costs through theatrical revenue, satellite rights, and streaming platform deals.
2. Achieve a lifetime box office collection significantly higher than ₹50 crore to generate profits for producers and distributors.

As of now, the film’s performance does not align with these benchmarks. However, it’s too early to make a definitive judgment, as its trajectory could shift depending on audience reception over the weekend and beyond.

Audience and Critical Reception

Positive Aspects:

1. Kangana Ranaut’s Performance: Critics have unanimously praised Kangana Ranaut’s portrayal of Indira Gandhi. Her transformation into the character, coupled with her powerful delivery of dialogues, has been described as one of the film’s strongest points.
2. Cinematography and Production Design: The film’s visual portrayal of the 1970s has been lauded for its authenticity. The set designs, costumes, and cinematography effectively transport viewers to the era of the Emergency.

Criticism:

1. Pacing Issues: Some critics felt that the film’s narrative dragged, especially in the second half, which could hinder its repeat value.
2. Limited Mass Appeal: While the film’s subject is significant, its political undertones and historical context may not resonate with a broader audience, especially younger viewers.

Mixed Word-of-Mouth:

The audience response has been mixed, with some appreciating the film’s bold narrative while others found it overly didactic. The mixed reviews could impact its box office performance in the coming days.

Competition at the Box Office

Emergency faces competition from other recent releases, including Azaad, directed by Abhishek Kapoor and starring Amaan Rashas. While Azaad opened to moderate collections of ₹1.50 crore on its first day, it doesn’t pose a significant challenge to Emergency. However, the upcoming release of the Shah Rukh Khan-starrer Lionheart on January 26, 2025, could significantly affect Emergency’s box office performance, as it is expected to dominate the Republic Day weekend.

Future Prospects and Challenges

For Emergency to recover its costs and potentially be deemed a success, it needs:

1. Strong Weekend Growth: A sharp rise in collections during the first weekend is crucial. A lackluster weekend would make it nearly impossible for the film to reach breakeven.
2. Sustained Weekday Performance: Consistent collections during weekdays are necessary to maintain momentum.
3. Positive Word-of-Mouth: The film must overcome its mixed initial reception to attract more viewers.
4. International Markets: While its domestic performance is underwhelming, Emergency could find success overseas, particularly among NRIs and viewers interested in India’s political history.

Comparison with Kangana Ranaut’s Previous Films

Kangana Ranaut’s previous outings as an actress and director have also seen varied box office performances. Her last directorial, Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi, opened to stronger numbers and eventually became a moderate success. Comparatively, Emergency’s collections are underwhelming, indicating that the film may face an uphill battle.

Final Verdict

While Emergency has started slow at the box office, it still has a window of opportunity to recover. The film’s subject matter, performances, and critical praise for certain elements give it some potential to improve its performance. However, the mixed reception and stiff competition make its path to success challenging.

For now, Emergency cannot yet be classified as a hit or a flop. The coming weeks will determine whether Kangana Ranaut’s ambitious project can overcome its initial hurdles and find its place as a commercially and critically acclaimed film.