Shah Rukh Khan, the king of Bollywood, has once again proved his star power with his latest film Jawan, directed by Tamil filmmaker Atlee. The action thriller, which released on Thursday, has taken the box office by storm in South India, especially in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. The film has received rave reviews from critics and audiences alike, who have praised the film’s engaging plot, stunning action sequences, and Khan’s multiple roles.
Jawan breaks records in Tamil Nadu
Jawan, which is also dubbed in Tamil and Telugu, has been released across 1,001 screens (718 centres) in South India. Out of these, 450 centres are in Tamil Nadu alone, making it the biggest release for a Bollywood film in the state. According to trade experts, the film is expected to make around Rs 20 crore from the Tamil Nadu rights alone.
The film has received a phenomenal response from the Tamil audience, who have embraced the film as if it were a local product. Nikilesh Surya, owner of Rohini Theatre in Chennai, said, “People are receiving this Hindi film with as much love as they would show a Tamil film.” He added that the bookings for the first weekend are guaranteed and then they would have to wait and watch.
Jawan is also a litmus test for Atlee, who is known for his blockbuster films like Theri, Mersal, and Bigil in Tamil cinema. This is his first Hindi film and he has managed to impress both the north and south audiences with his style of filmmaking. He has also roped in popular south Indian actors like Nayanthara, Vijay Sethupathi, and Sathyaraj to play pivotal roles in the film.
Jawan creates a craze in Kerala
Jawan is also doing exceptionally well in Kerala, where it has been released in 270 centres. This is also the highest number of screens for a Bollywood film in the state. The film has generated a huge buzz among the Malayalam audience, who are known for their love for Shah Rukh Khan.
Linto Davis, owner of Vanitha-Veneetha theatre in Ernakulam, said that they have increased the number of shows for Jawan due to the extraordinary response. “The first show started at 6 am and owing to the extraordinary response, we have charted a late-night show at 11 pm,” he said.
The film has also attracted many fans of Shah Rukh Khan, who have celebrated the release of the film with posters, banners, and fireworks outside the theatres. Some fans even performed a traditional dance called ‘chenda melam’ to welcome their favourite star on screen.
Jawan sets a new benchmark for Bollywood
Jawan is not only a big hit in South India but also across the country and overseas. The film has set a new record for Bollywood by collecting Rs 75 crore worldwide on its opening day. This is the highest ever opening for a Hindi film, surpassing the previous record held by Pathaan, another Shah Rukh Khan-starrer that released earlier this year.
Jawan has also received positive reviews from critics, who have praised the film’s fast-paced thriller plot, stunning action sequences, and Shah Rukh Khan’s multiple roles as a soldier, romantic lead, and Robin Hood-type figure who takes on corrupt politicians and businessmen. One critic in The Indian Express newspaper called it a “pop-masala banger” playing out a familiar “vigilante-forced-into-taking-on-the-bad-guys” storyline.
Jawan is expected to break many more records at the box office in the coming days and weeks. It has already proved that Shah Rukh Khan is still the undisputed king of Bollywood and that Atlee is a master of making mass entertainers that appeal to all sections of the audience.
