This week, the Indian film market prepares for the release of three significant titles: the Hollywood horror film “The Conjuring: Last Rites,” the Hindi releases “Baaghi 4” starring Tiger Shroff and Sanjay Dutt, and Vivek Agnihotri’s political drama “The Bengal Files” featuring Mithun Chakraborty. Hollywood movies have consistently made a notable impact on the Indian box office this year. International hits like Joseph Kosinski’s F1, Gareth Edwards’ Jurassic World Rebirth, and Christopher McQuarrie’s Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, have each exceeded Rs 100 crore in India. Even the horror film Final Destination: Bloodlines grossed over Rs 70 crore. Amongst the forthcoming releases, “The Conjuring: Last Rites,” the final film in the popular “Conjuring” franchise, has shown strong pre-sales, placing it ahead of the Hindi releases before its debut on September 5. Advance ticket sales show “The Conjuring: Last Rites” leading in India. The horror film has reportedly sold over 80,000 tickets across leading chains such as PVR, INOX, and Cinepolis, with estimates suggesting an opening weekend of Rs 15 crore. In comparison, “Baaghi 4” has logged Rs 5.21 crore in advance bookings, which includes Rs 2.43 crore from block bookings. The preceding three films of the Tiger Shroff franchise premiered with openings exceeding Rs 11 crore, Rs 25 crore, and Rs 17 crore respectively. “The Bengal Files” has significantly fewer advance bookings, totaling just Rs 45 lakh, with Rs 30 lakh from block bookings. Although not part of a franchise, it is the newest film in Vivek Agnihotri’s thematic trilogy. “The Tashkent Files” (2019) earned Rs 36 lakh on its opening day. “The Kashmir Files” (2022) opened at Rs 3.55 crore and went on to become a major success.
