New Delhi: As ‘Merry Christmas’ hits theatres today (January 12), the thriller starring Katrina Kaif and Vijay Sethupathi, finds itself in a tough citation at the box office. Despite the considerable buzz surrounding the film and the fan following enjoyed by both leads in their respective industries, initial reports indicate a modest opening of the film. Directed by Sriram Raghavan, known for his acclaimed work in ‘Andhadun’, ‘Merry Christmas’ unfolds the gripping narrative of a Christmas eve romance spiralling into an intense ordeal.
According to Republic World, ‘Merry Christmas’ had an estimated budget of Rs 60 crores. The film faces a competitive landscape in the Tamil film industry, clashing with ‘Captain Miller’ and ‘Ayalaan’. However, being the sole release in the Hindi film circuit, the film is expected to perform relatively better.
‘Merry Christmas’ is set to collect Rs 2 crores on its debut day—a departure from Katrina Kaif’s usual box office clout. ‘Merry Christmas’ would mark her lowest opening in the past decade.
Despite the lukewarm start, critical reviews for the film are predominantly positive, applauding Sriram Raghavan’s directorial prowess in crafting a legitimate thriller that keeps audiences on the edge of their seats. Katrina Kaif’s performance has garnered equal acclaim from both critics and fans.
Optimism surrounds the film’s potential for growth in the upcoming week, fueled by positive word-of-mouth reviews, especially considering that no major releases are scheduled to hit the big screens before Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone’s much-anticipated ‘Fighter’. While the initial box office numbers may be modest, the trajectory suggests a promising journey for ‘Merry Christmas’ in the days to come.
Shot in both Tamil and Hindi languages, with a release in Telugu as well, the film boasts an ensemble cast, with the Hindi version featuring Sanjay Kapoor, Vinay Pathak, Pratima Kannan, and Tinnu Anand, while its Tamil counterpart stars Radhika Sarathkumar, Shanmugaraja, Kevin Jay Babu, and Rajesh Williams in equivalent roles.