Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer collects Rs 100 crore in India, here's what it means

Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer opened to good response at the box office on July 21 despite releasing alongside the Margot Robbie-fronted Barbie. It outperformed the Greta Grewig-helmed film in India, emerging as the top choice of the audience. Oppenheimer has collected more than Rs 100 crore (nett) in India and is still going strong. According to trade experts there are quite a few takeaways from the sensational response to Oppenheimer. 

2 things you need to know: 

• Oppenheimer features an ensemble cast of Cillian Murphy and Emily Blunt in the lead.
• It has made more than Rs 100 crore (nett) after its two weeks in theatres.

Brand magic helps Oppenheimer spring a surprise

While speaking about Oppenheimer, trade analyst Pillai Sridhar told Republic Media Network that Nolan’s popularity helped the film put up good numbers in India. “I think the kind of hype that is associated with Christopher Nolan is phenomenal. All his previous films in India have done perfect business,”  added Pillai. 

(A still from Oppenheimer featuring actor Cillian Murphy | Image: OppenheimerFilm/Twitter)

Analyst Sumit Kadel also agreed with this view. He, however, said that he was surprised by its performance in India. “I didn’t think it would cross Rs 100 crore. I thought it’ll stop somewhere between Rs 70-80 crore. It has even given tough competition to Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani in its second weekend,” added the analyst.

Audience drifting towards niche content?

Oppenheimer fared better than Mission: Impossible 7 despite the fact that the Tom Cruise film is an action entertainer and  the latest installment of the MI franchise. Pillai feels the very fact that Oppenheimer fared better than MI 7 is an indication that the  audience is drifting towards niche films. 

“The only reason I would think of it is that Indian audiences are moving on from massy movies to niche films, and this is a film by Christopher Nolan, An arthouse film making Rs 100 crore is phenomenal, “ he said.

(A still from Oppenheimer | Image: OppenheimerFilm/Twitter)

Sumit Kadel had similar views on the matter. He said Tom Cruise is a bigger star with a massive franchise. He also highlighted that Oppenheimer was a film that needed some homework and patience from the audience, given its length and subject matter. He called the Indian audience’s ability to sit through and appreciate it an ‘achievement.’

“It’s a path-breaking occurrence in my belief. It’s a path-breaking achievement for the Indian audience in every sense. A few per cent might have known about its intricacies, but a layman, who saw the film and appreciated its content, appreciated Nolan’s cinema – it’s quite extraordinary,” said Kadel.