Call it surprising but in 2016, there have hardly been any action releases even though 10 months have passed by. The biggest grossers of the year have been non-action flicks like Sultan, M.S. Dhoni – The Untold Story, Housefull 3, Rustom and Airlift. It is during this time that Ajay Devgn has arrived with an action film (with some elements of emotional quotient added in there as well).

The film has opened to 10.24 crore which is a fine number, considering the fact that this is a pre-Diwali period and right through the weekend, audiences are expected to be busy with festivities. Of course, one still expected that the numbers would be a tad bigger, given the kind of tremendous all around positive response that the theatrical promo had managed. Still, given the division of screens that took place and also the fact that in urban centers the film hasn’t quite taken a big start, the opening has been impacted.

Shivaay has found a place in the Top-3 opening of the year though when it comes to the action films released in 2016. This is how the list looks:

Baaghi – 11.94 crore

Dishoom – 11.05 crore

Shivaay – 10.24 crore

Ghayal Once Again – 7.2 crore

If now for the pre-Diwali season, it could have conveniently been at the top position. Nonetheless, these are primarily the records that sound good when spoken about and in the eventual run, it is the lifetime total that holds more importance. In that context, it would all boil down to the jump in collections that Shivaay manages on Monday. If that number turns out to be good, the comparative loss on Friday would be negated to some extent and the film would stand a good chance to pick momentum from that point on.

However before that it has to manage consistent footfalls over rest of the weekend. That would ensure that Ajay Devgn and his team, which has spent two years in planning, executing, marketing and then releasing the film, manages to have a truly Happy Diwali!

Note: All collections as per production and distribution sources

Joginder Tuteja tweets @tutejajoginder