Kamal Haasan’s much-hyped sequel, Indian 2, is gearing up for its theatrical release on 12 July. Directed by Shankar, Indian 2 is generating significant anticipation among fans with robust ticket bookings.
The film marks Kamal Haasan’s reunion with Shankar after 28 years and continues the storyline from the 1996 Tamil blockbuster Indian, with the actor reprising his iconic role as Senapathy.
According to reports from Sacnilk, Indian 2 achieved impressive first-day bookings, totalling ₹5.21 crore across Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi languages.
It sold over 2.9 lakh tickets on the opening day and is scheduled for 7,801 screenings across India. The Tamil version alone secured 2.25 lakh bookings. It appears Indian 2 garnered more buzz in Tamil Nadu compared to Telugu and Hindi-speaking regions.
Meanwhile, the release of Sarfira, the Hindi remake of Soorarai Pottru (2022), and Hindustani 2 (Indian 2) this Friday, may also impact Prabhas’s Kalki 2898 AD. Since screens and showtimes will be shared among these new releases and the existing films, this could potentially affect the performance of Nag Ashwin’s film in North India.
According to the latest report, Indian 2 has been made with a budget of ₹250 crore. Kamal Haasan previously discussed the film’s budget, attributing it not just to directorial decisions but also to factors like COVID-19 disruptions and unforeseen incidents.
For those unfamiliar, Indian 2 was announced in 2018, with initial filming starting in 2019. However, production was halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Tragically, an accident on set claimed the lives of three crew members, further delaying the project for several years.
Additionally, disagreements between Lyca Productions and director Shankar led to further postponements. After resolving these issues and enduring a long wait, the film is ready for release.
Kamal Haasan praised the dedication of the producer and director, highlighting their commitment to completing the film despite challenges.
The veteran actor emphasised the resilience shown by Lyca Productions and Shankar, who chose to persevere rather than abandon the project, likening it to nurturing a child and ensuring its completion against all odds.