‘Bazooka’ Struggles at the Box Office with a Dull Opening Day Worldwide
The much-hyped Malayalam action game thriller Bazooka, directed by debutant Deeno Dennis and headlined by Mammootty, released on April 10 to mixed reviews. While Mammootty’s screen presence and the last 20 minutes of the film have been appreciated by a section of the audience, the overall response has been lukewarm at best. This underwhelming reception is clearly reflected in the film’s Day 1 box office figures.
In Kerala, Bazooka managed to collect ₹3.23 crore on its opening day. The rest of India contributed an estimated ₹50 lakhs, showing a weak turnout across other states. Overseas numbers also paint a grim picture. In North America, the film earned just $5,180, while in the UK and Ireland, it collected £12,529 and £2,598 respectively. In Australia, it made A$13,781, and New Zealand contributed NZ$4,943. Overall, Bazooka’s overseas gross (excluding GCC) stands at around $40,000 (approximately ₹35 lakhs).
The film’s worldwide first-day gross is unlikely to cross ₹7 crore, which is disappointing given the film’s scale and Mammootty’s massive fan base. Early audience feedback suggests that aside from Mammootty’s charisma and the final act, the screenplay and direction have failed to strike a chord. With poor word-of-mouth and dwindling interest, Bazooka faces an uphill battle in the coming days.
