Bollywood is gearing up for a massive box office battle as two of its biggest stars, Prabhas and Shah Rukh Khan, are set to lock horns with their respective films, Salaar and Dunki, releasing on December 21 and 22, 2023, respectively.
Directed by Rajkumar Hirani, SRK’s Dunki also stars Vicky Kaushal and Taapsee Pannu. On the other hand, the action-thriller Salaar, which also stars Prithviraj Sukumaran, Shruti Haasan, and others, is helmed by KGF director Prashanth Neel.
Both films have generated immense pre-release buzz, fuelled by the immense popularity of their lead actors and the proven track records of the directors behind them.
Prabhas:
- Riding high on the success of Baahubali, Prabhas commands a massive fan following and his films consistently generate huge opening box office collections. However, he hasn’t generated much critical acclaim.
- His last three films, Adipurush, Radhe Shyam, and Saaho, have collectively earned over 996 crores at the worldwide box office, showcasing his box office prowess.
- With Salaar, directed by Prashanth Neel, Prabhas hopes to break the negative spell of critical reception to achieve both commercial and critical success.
Shah Rukh Khan:
- After a brief period of setbacks, Shah Rukh Khan roared back with Pathaan and Jawan, both shattering box office records and earning over 2,233 crores combined.
- This resurgence has solidified his position as the box office king, and Dunki, directed by the celebrated Rajkumar Hirani, further amplifies the expectations.
- With an established track record of delivering blockbusters and collaborating with a renowned filmmaker, Shah Rukh Khan appears to be in a strong position heading into this clash.
The Clash:
While Shah Rukh Khan seems to have the edge based on recent box office performance, the trust in Prashanth Neel's ability to deliver mass-appealing action flicks is undeniable. Both films boast strong pre-release hype, and the final box office verdict will depend heavily on word-of-mouth reception and audience engagement.
This clash of the titans promises to be a thrilling spectacle for Bollywood fans, with both films vying for box office dominance. The outcome remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: this Christmas, Bollywood is in for a cinematic showdown of epic proportions.
