The much-anticipated action film Baby John, starring Varun Dhawan, hit the theatres on Christmas Day, December 25, 2024, but its opening performance at the box office has been rather underwhelming. Reports indicate the film managed to earn Rs 12.5 crore on its first day, which falls short of expectations for what is traditionally considered a lucrative release date.
Produced by Atlee and directed by Kalees, Baby John features Dhawan alongside Keerthy Suresh, Jackie Shroff, and Wamiqa Gabbi. While the movie is geared to be a mass entertainer, it has found itself up against stiff competition from other films like Pushpa 2: The Rule and Mufasa: The Lion King.
Despite the holiday boost, Baby John struggled to outshine the sustained popularity of Pushpa 2, which saw impressive earnings well past its three-week mark, collecting Rs 19.75 crore on its 21st day. Mufasa, having also performed well at the box office, made Rs 14.25 crore on its sixth day. This competitive environment has tightly squeezed Baby John's market space.
On its opening day, Baby John experienced a Hindi occupancy rate of 24.97%. The film garnered 1046 shows in the Delhi-NCR region, reporting a 25.75% occupancy, and 801 shows in Mumbai with slightly higher figures at 26.25%. The evening shows saw increased attendance, hinting at possible word-of-mouth successes as the holiday season progresses.
Dhawan's latest film marks his return to the big screen after two years, with his last theatrical release being Bhediya—which earned Rs 7.48 crore on its opening day. This time, Baby John achieved his biggest opening since 2019, but still pales compared to previous releases like Kalank, which had opened at Rs 21.60 crore.
Although some sources report Baby John as having the potential to be Varun's highest opener over the past five years, it remains overshadowed by the performances of the films released prior. This could signal the need for the film to rally its performance following its debut to reclaim its momentum.
Critics have shared mixed reviews about Baby John, praising the action sequences but expressing disappointment with the emotional depth of the narrative. One review stated, "Where the film fails is in its attempt to cater to the mass genre… and that's probably why you never truly feel invested in the narrative," casting doubts on its hold over the audience.
Produced on a substantial budget estimated at Rs 180 crore, Baby John's current earnings suggest challenges lie ahead as the film works to recoup its production costs. Analysts suggest the success of this title hinges on its ability to draw viewers away from competing films, particularly Pushpa 2, which continues to thrive at the box office.
The coming days will be pivotal for Baby John as it vanquishes hurdles posed by its box office adversaries. If it manages to maintain interest, it could leverage the holiday momentum—after all, holiday periods have historically provided films with boosts they often need.
With its layered themes including family, sacrifice, and the backdrop of action, Baby John attempts to resonate with audiences. The narrative follows DCP Satya Verma, portrayed by Dhawan, who goes to great lengths to protect his daughter Kamya against violent confrontations stemming from his past, hinting at relatable issues of safety and parental devotion.
Despite these efforts, the film's box office debut suggests it may take more than star power and holiday cheer to create long-lasting traction at the cinema. On the verge of saturation against films already garnering substantial interest, Baby John now faces the notable task of ensuring its stay at the box office is remembered beyond just its opening day performance.
