'Jawan' beats 'Pathaan', delivers biggest opening day for any Bollywood film

This seems to be the year of King Khan. Shah Rukh Khan's return to the big screen, marking his second appearance this year, was bound to generate considerable interest.

The Bollywood superstar, often referred to as the King of Bollywood, has once again demonstrated that he knows how to make a memorable comeback. With its Thursday release, Khan's action-packed thriller Jawan has swiftly dethroned his previous blockbuster Pathaan at the box office.

Entering the box office arena, Jawan achieved an impressive $9.4 million in India from its Hindi version alone. Moreover, Jawan was simultaneously released in Tamil and Telugu to cater to South India's sizable audience, raking in an impressive $1.3 million from the dubbed versions, as reported by Variety.

Khan wrote a heartfelt thank you note to his fans amid Jawan's success. He wrote, "Thank you for all the love and appreciation for Jawan! Stay safe and happy. Please keep sending in the pics and videos of all of you enjoying at the movies, And I will be back soon to see all of them! Until then, party with Jawan in the theatres! Lots of love and gratitude."

Thank you for all the love and appreciation for #Jawan!! Stay safe and happy… Please keep sending in the pics and videos of all of you enjoying at the movies…. And I will be back soon to see all of them! Until then… Party with Jawan in the theatres!! Lots of love and…

— Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) September 8, 2023

Indian superstar's global influence is palpable in the international market, constituting the remaining portion of the film's astounding $15.6 million opening day earnings. This performance has secured the title for the highest-grossing opening day for a Hindi-language film.

By comparison, Pathaan made waves at the box office in January, amassing $8.32 million in India and an additional $4.5 million internationally on its first day in theatres, resulting in a total opening day collection of $12.7 million.

Directed by Atlee, Jawan marks Khan's second official project after his announced departure from his iconic romantic roles. The film revolves around the story of Jawan, a soldier driven by a burning desire to combat corruption in society and deliver justice with his own hands. The film has been shrouded in mystery, with its trailer offering only limited insights into the complex character of Jawan, who appears to straddle the line between heroism and dark notes.

Different facets of the character depict him as both strategic and calculating and, at times, unhinged and consumed by anger. Adding to the complexity, Jawan must confront an antagonist with his own hidden agenda. Beyond Khan's star power, the film also boasts appearances by Deepika Padukone in a pivotal role, reuniting with Khan after Pathaan and prominent figures from South Indian cinema, Vijay Sethupathi and Nayanthara.

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