Box office: Mixed reviews aside, ‘Kalank’ beats biggies to set the highest opening of this year

Six stars, three big production banners and a grand scale seems to have worked for ‘Kalank’ as it took the highest opening at the box office this year. Despite mixed reviews from critics and fans, the period drama starring Alia Bhatt, Varun Dhawan, Sonakshi Sinha, Aditya Roy Kapur, Sanjay Dutt and Madhuri Dixit Nene, has earned Rs 21.60 crore on opening day, laying the platform for a massive total in its run.

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‘Kalank’ beat, by a small margin, Karan Johar’s other production ‘Kesari’s opening figures of Rs 21.06 crore and other hits of the year like ‘Gully Boy’, ‘Total Dhamaal’ and ‘Uri: The Surgical Strike.’ The total is also the highest for the hit pair of Varun and Alia. 

While the movie is directed mainly to the masses and single screen audiences, the multiplexes have been 'terrific' with the collections too, according to Taran Adarsh. As per the trade analyst, the Mahavir Jayanti holiday contributed significantly to the opening, apart from, of course, the massive star cast and the buzz surrounding the movie.

With another public holiday on Friday, Good Friday, the chances of the film putting up an impressive extended weekend total are extremely high. 

READ: KALANK MOVIE REVIEW: Stunning Visuals Backed With Powerful Acting Save This Tantalising And Predictable Tale Of Forbidden Love

‘Kalank’ has been helmed by ‘2 States’ director Abhishek Varman and revolves around a love story with conflicts in the pre-Independence era. Apart from Karan’s Dharma Productions, Sajid Nadiadwala and Fox Star Studios have backed the movie.