Gold, Satyameva Jayate bring in Rs 45 crore collectively on Day 1

Both Akshay Kumar, John Abraham record highest opening figures with patriotic releases Gold, Satyameva Jayate

It's a stiff competition that John Abraham has given Bollywood's blue-eyed boy Akshay Kumar at the box office, even as Independence Day proved to be a fruitful one for both the actors. With Rs 25.25 crore in its kitty on day one of its release yesterday, Kumar's Gold outperformed Abraham's Satyameva Jayate, but only by a limited Rs 5 crore. It is also noteworthy that Abraham's actioner collected Rs 20.52 crore despite hitting 2,500 screens in India when pitted against the 3,300 that Gold released in.

Nonetheless, it's been a joyous day for trade experts with both films setting the cash registers ringing. Trade expert Amod Mehra admits that Abraham has turned out to be a surprise package. "We didn't doubt that both films would do well. Gold has emerged to be a winner. But Satyameva Jayate's numbers have been encouraging. Both Akshay and John have recorded their highest day-one business, which is phenomenal."

Mehra adds that a collective figure of Rs 40 crore in a single day is a good sign for the industry. "Since it's a public holiday today [Parsi New Year], the films are going to enjoy good business owing to the long weekend." Trade-smith Girish Wankhede agrees that the long weekend is likely to boost the business of the films. "Important holidays always translate to better business at the box-office, but no one expected it to be this promising."

Rs 25.25 cr
Day one collection of Kumar's Gold

Rs 20.52 cr
Day one collection of Abraham's Satyameva Jayate

Also Read: Akshay Kumar: This is the best phase for me as an actor

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