Out of the two Hindi film releases last week (1 March), there is only one winner. Luka Chuppi, starring Kriti Sanon and Kartik Aaryan, enjoyed a good first week as it made Rs52 crore nett.
The film enjoyed a terrific opening weekend, collecting Rs31.25 crore nett. It performed well in the weekdays too, picking up Rs20.75 crore nett. Produced by Maddock Films, Luka Chuppi made Rs3.75 crore nett on Thursday.
Directed by Laxman Utekar, Luka Chuppi is made at an estimated budget of Rs25 crore, and released on 2,100 screens in India and on 400 screens overseas. According to trade sources, Maddock Films has sold the satellite and digital rights to Jio Cinema for Rs15 crore. The music rights have fetched Rs2 crore [sold to T-Series].
Luka Chuppi review: Kartik Aaryan, Kriti Sanon hold their own in a fairly entertaining comedy
It’s a second successive hit for Aaryan after last years surprise blockbuster Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety (2018). Luka Chuppi is Sanon’s second film as the main lead to have crossed Rs50 crore nett at the domestic box office. Sanon’s maiden film Heropanti (2014) had made Rs50.51 crore nett, and Luka Chuppi has surpassed that in its first-week business itself.
“It feels amazing that the film is getting so much love and all age groups are liking the film. I had the same positive feeling about this film as I did during Bareilly Ki Barfi (2017) and I’m glad that my gut feeling has resonated with the audience yet again,” Sanon told Cinestaan.com.
While it’s celebrations for Luka Chuppi, Sushant Singh Rajput-starrer Sonchiriya (2019) just couldn’t take off. The dacoit drama, produced by RSVP, made a paltry Rs5.50 crore nett in its first week.
Sonchiriya review: Sushant Singh Rajput, Bhumi Pednekar’s gripping but deadly tale
Directed by Abhishek Chaubey, Sonchiriya is made at an estimated budget of Rs30 crore and had a limited release on 700 screens. RSVP has sold the satellite, digital rights for Rs14 crore with a further Rs1.5 crore coming through the music rights [all sold to Zee]. The film is unlikely to recover its cost of production.