Shahrukh Khan's Dunki vs Prabhas' Salaar: Who Will Win The Christmas Box Office Clash?

It's being predicted as a mammoth clash as Shahrukh Khan's Dunki and Prabhas's Salaar: Part 1 Ceasefire take on each other at the box office on December 22.

The announcement of both films being released on the same day had taken not only fans but trade pundits by surprise, many called it a bad move.

We have seen several big clashes in the past, be it Rohit Shetty's Dilwale vs Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Baji Rao Mastani in 2015, Hrithik Roshan's Kaabil Vs Shahrukh Khan's Raees(2017) or Zero Vs KGF Chapter 1, though exciting it may be, it does not exactly set the box office on fire as is anticipated. There is not only fierce competition, the scramble for screens, and financial losses. The industry and analysts have always called it an unhealthy trend, but it seems the Indian film industry wants to create its own "Barbenheimer" this Christmas.

2023 has been a remarkable year for Shahrukh Khan, back after a hiatus of four years, and has given two back-to-back mega-blockbusters in Pathan and Jawan. Both the films collected 1000 crore each at the box office bringing respite to not only the film industry but to distributors and exhibitors across. Dunki, his third release of the year, is eagerly anticipated. It is his first time collaborating with Rajkumar Hirani known for his previous hits such as the Munna Bhai franchise, 3 Idiots, PK and Sanju. The first glimpse of the film, which dropped on Shahrukh Khan's 58th birthday, has received positive feedback.

Trade Analyst and Film Critic Sumit Kadel says "Dunki is a dream combination, two giants of the business are coming together., It has been long overdue. Dunki comes wearing Rajkumar Hirani's signature style, he is one of the most remarkable directors in the country, and all his previous films have been huge blockbusters. Shahrukh Khan is enjoying the prime phase of his career. He has Rs 2000 Crore grosses in his name. Pathan invented the 500 crore club in India, and Jawan ushered in the 600 Crore club for a Hindi film. King Khan as of now is unbeatable at the box office, and enjoying the best phase in India and overseas right now".

On the other hand, Prabhas, who is another box office heavyweight, has been going through a lean patch at the box office. His 2022 Radhey Shyam received mixed reviews but was hugely propelled by his mass popularity, however, could not sustain itself at the theatres making just 120 crores in the first ten days. Neither could he save "Adipurush", the film failed its stellar star cast, with its below-par VFX effects as well as its substandard writing. Helmed by Prashanth Neel of KGF fame, Salaar promises to be the redemption Prabhas fans are looking for, with its high octane and over-the-top action.

Actor Shruti Haasan who stars opposite Prabhas in the film says, "Salaar is Prabhas, he and Prashanth Neel come with a huge legacy and the film will give fans just what they expect from the collaboration between these two heavyweights".

Sumit Kadel too reiterates one cannot underestimate Salaar either. "Prashanth Neel has two blockbusters KGF1 and 2 to his credit. It has been produced by Hombale films which have also been the name behind several blockbusters including Kantara, so it is going to be a mammoth clash".

Calling the Dunki vs Salaar clash a nightmare for exhibitors and distributors, Sumit Kadel dissects the situation. "Dunki is likely to get more screens than Salaar in the Hindi Belt, not saying Salaar won't because it is backed by a strong distributor. But the screen sharing will be something like what happened recently between Gadar 2 and Akshay Kumar's OMG2".

On the question of screen sharing, he says Dunki is likely to get 60 to 70 per cent of screens in the Hindi belt with Salaar getting the remaining. The screen and show division is likely to impact the box office returns of both films by a hefty margin.

"For example, in a situation of a solo release, Dunki would have collected 50 Crores on its opening day, but with a clash, it will take a hit of 10 to 15 crores. Salaar has nothing to lose, and would benefit rather because those who don't get tickets to Dunki will head for Salaar".

But in all likelihood, Salaar has a trump card, it's likely to be part of the KGF universe, and an appearance by Yash cannot be ruled out.

"If Yash has a cameo, this film will blow up beyond expectations and if the same is teased in a coming day the buzz will be sky high", says Sumit Kadel, who further says the film will rule in Telugu and Karnataka markets, and Dunki will get fewer shows in the Southern markets".

Trade pundits predict if Dunki lives up to its hype, it will collect 500 crores, Salaar will take between 150 to 200 cores easily and needs to live up to its hype to raise its box office earnings.

However, does Dunki have an edge in the overseas market, the answer is a yes."Shahrukh Khan is immensely popular in the overseas market. Rajkumar Hirani is a huge brand, and the film's content is on illegal immigrants and that is likely to strike a chord amongst the NRIs. Also, it being nearly a ten-day holiday over Christmas and New Year, the film will see promising collections overseas".

It is not just Dunki, and Salaar, Malayalam Superstar Mohanlal's Neru is all set to face off with the other two films at the box office as well. It seems like a blitzkrieg at the theaters this Christmas.