Following the much-anticipated unveiling of Pankaj Tripathi's film 'Main Atal Hoon,' audiences held high hopes for its cinematic portrayal of the former Prime Minister of India, Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Tripathi's immersive portrayal of Vajpayee had generated considerable buzz prior to the film's release. However, despite initial critical acclaim, 'Main Atal Hoon' has failed to meet the lofty expectations set for it, especially in light of the recent release of Hrithik Roshan's 'Fighter' on January 25th, which further overshadowed its performance at the box office.
Critics lauded 'Main Atal Hoon' upon its release on January 19th, recognizing Tripathi's nuanced performance and the film's depiction of Vajpayee's political journey. Nevertheless, despite the positive reception, the film's commercial success has been elusive, with its performance dwindling rapidly, particularly after the entry of 'Fighter' into the cinematic arena.
The seventh-day earnings of 'Main Atal Hoon' paint a bleak picture for its prospects at the box office. Grossing a mere 12 lakhs on its seventh day, the film appears unlikely to achieve the coveted 10-crore milestone in revenue. The downward trajectory in earnings became evident early on, with the film garnering 1.15 crores on its opening day, followed by 2.1 crores and 2.4 crores on the subsequent days. However, as the week progressed, earnings saw a steep decline, plummeting to 70 lakhs and 75 lakhs on the fourth and fifth days, respectively. The release of 'Fighter' exacerbated the situation, with earnings dropping to 62 lakhs on the sixth day and a paltry 12 lakhs on the seventh, bringing the total earnings to a modest 7.86 crores.
The dismal performance of 'Main Atal Hoon' raises doubts about its longevity in theaters, with diminishing screenings following the debut of 'Fighter.' In stark contrast, 'Fighter' experienced a surge in earnings despite a relatively modest opening, grossing 22.5 crores on its first day and escalating to 36.48 crores on the second, highlighting its commercial prowess.
'Main Atal Hoon' serves as a biographical homage to Atal Bihari Vajpayee, chronicling his illustrious political career and contributions to the nation. Tripathi's meticulous portrayal, characterized by the emulation of Vajpayee's mannerisms, makeup, and oratory style, aimed to capture the essence of the esteemed statesman on screen.
while 'Main Atal Hoon' may have garnered critical acclaim for its portrayal of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, its lackluster performance at the box office, compounded by the emergence of 'Fighter,' underscores the unpredictable nature of cinematic success.