Allu Arjun’s Pushpa 2: The Rule and Shah Rukh Khan’s Pathaan are two of the biggest blockbusters in recent Indian cinema. While Pathaan dominated the Hindi film industry earlier in 2023, Pushpa 2 has emerged as a massive contender, crossing significant milestones in just days. Let’s dive into a day-by-day box office comparison of the two films, exploring how Pushpa 2 has matched, and at times, exceeded the performance of Pathaan at the box office.
The Box Office Journey of Pushpa 2: The Rule
Released on December 15, 2024, Pushpa 2 had a spectacular opening, raking in ₹65 crore on its first day. Directed by Sukumar, the film features Allu Arjun in a power-packed role alongside Rashmika Mandanna. Known for its intense action sequences and mass appeal, Pushpa 2 quickly became a crowd-puller, especially in Hindi markets.
In its first ten days, the Hindi version of Pushpa 2 reached a stunning ₹508 crore. Notably, it surpassed the ₹500 crore mark faster than any other film in recent history. This impressive feat showcases the audience’s tremendous love for the sequel and the growing appeal of South Indian cinema across the country.
Comparing Pushpa 2 with Pathaan: The Battle for Box Office Supremacy
On the other hand, Shah Rukh Khan’s Pathaan, which released in January 2023, also made history with its box office earnings. Directed by Siddharth Anand, Pathaan was the first Hindi film to gross ₹500 crore in India. The film quickly became one of the highest-grossing Bollywood films of all time. By the time Pathaan completed its second weekend, it had earned ₹410.5 crore in its Hindi version.
Although both films belong to different genres, the competition between them is undeniable. Pushpa 2 is swiftly closing the gap and has already surpassed Pathaan’s second-weekend total in just 10 days of release.
Day-by-Day Box Office Breakdown: Pushpa 2 vs Pathaan
Here’s a detailed look at how Pushpa 2 and Pathaan performed on the box office day-wise until their second Sundays:
| Day | Pushpa 2 (Hindi) | Pathaan (Hindi) |
|---|---|---|
| Wednesday | – | ₹55 crore |
| Thursday | ₹65 crore | ₹68 crore |
| Friday | ₹53 crore | ₹37.5 crore |
| Saturday | ₹66 crore | ₹51 crore |
| Sunday | ₹77 crore | ₹58 crore |
| Monday | ₹42 crore | ₹25 crore |
| Tuesday | ₹35 crore | ₹21.5 crore |
| Wednesday | ₹29 crore | ₹17 crore |
| Thursday | ₹24.5 crore | ₹14.75 crore |
| Friday | ₹24.5 crore | ₹13 crore |
| Saturday | ₹42 crore | ₹22.25 crore |
| Sunday | ₹50 crore | ₹27.5 crore |
| Total | ₹508 crore | ₹410.5 crore |
Pushpa 2’s Record-Breaking Box Office Collection
Within just 11 days of its release, Pushpa 2 has joined the exclusive ₹500 crore club in the Hindi markets, surpassing Pathaan’s second weekend total. The film’s second weekend earned a phenomenal ₹116.5 crore, taking its total to ₹508 crore by the end of the second Sunday.
In contrast, Pathaan’s lifetime Hindi collection stood at ₹513 crore, a monumental achievement when it released earlier in 2023. The rapid success of Pushpa 2 highlights the continued dominance of Allu Arjun in pan-India cinema and the film’s mass appeal. Despite being released later in the year, Pushpa 2 seems to have struck a chord with Hindi-speaking audiences, positioning itself as one of the highest-grossing films in Indian cinema.
Why Pushpa 2 is Surpassing Pathaan in Hindi Markets
- Mass Appeal: Allu Arjun’s larger-than-life portrayal of the character Pushpa Raj continues to resonate strongly with audiences, especially in North India. The film’s action-packed sequences, gripping storyline, and unforgettable music have made it a fan favorite.
- Cultural Phenomenon: Pushpa has quickly become a cultural phenomenon, with dialogue delivery, music, and performances becoming part of the popular lexicon. This has contributed significantly to the film’s box office success, as audiences flock to theaters for repeat viewings.
- Competition from Other Films: While Pathaan had limited competition during its release, Pushpa 2 is currently facing stiff competition from other Bollywood and regional films. Despite this, the film continues to dominate at the box office, demonstrating its widespread appeal across India.
What’s Next for Pushpa 2?
As Pushpa 2 continues to outperform expectations, it is poised to break more records in the coming weeks. The film’s impressive box office run in its early days has set the stage for a massive theatrical run, and industry experts predict that it may soon eclipse other major Bollywood blockbusters in the coming months.
With the festive season still to come, Pushpa 2 is expected to rake in significant numbers, continuing its dominance in both Hindi and regional markets. Fans eagerly await how much more the film will earn and whether it can eventually challenge the records of RRR and KGF Chapter 2 at the global box office.
Conclusion: The Battle of the Blockbusters
In the battle between Pushpa 2 and Pathaan, both films have proven to be major forces at the box office. While Pathaan set an unparalleled benchmark in Hindi cinema earlier in 2023, Pushpa 2 has made a strong case for the increasing prominence of South Indian films in the national box office. The speed at which Pushpa 2 crossed the ₹500 crore mark proves that the audience is embracing films from all regions, and Allu Arjun has cemented his place as a pan-India superstar.
Both films have delivered exceptional performances, but as of now, it’s clear that Pushpa 2 is leading the charge in Hindi-speaking markets. With its record-breaking pace, the film will likely continue to thrive and could soon join the ranks of the highest-grossing films ever.
