Superman box office collection Day 2: David Corenswet's superhero debut sees good growth, crosses Rs 16 crore mark in India
This takes the two-day total for the DC reboot, starring
David Corenswet
as the Man of Steel, to Rs 16.25 crore net across all languages in India.
The superhero spectacle, which was released in English as well as dubbed versions in Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu, recorded an overall English occupancy of 32.50% on Saturday. Regional performance was more modest, with Tamil occupancy at 21.79% and Hindi at 15.41%.
While Superman is currently leading the box office, it hasn't quite matched the early expectations that projected a Rs 40 crore opening weekend.
The film faces stiff competition from domestic releases, most notably Rajkummar Rao's crime drama Maalik, which saw strong day-two growth, earning an estimated Rs 5.25 crore after a Rs 3.75 crore opening.
On the other hand, Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan, starring Vikrant Massey and marking the debut of
Shanaya Kapoor
, continues to struggle. The romantic drama earned approximately Rs 49 lakh on Saturday, showing only a marginal improvement from its first day.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
기미, 레이저말고 이렇게 해보세요
에스테틱최원장
Undo
Despite underperforming slightly against pre-release projections, Superman remains the highest-grossing superhero film of the year in India so far. It also holds the title of the best-performing Hollywood opener of the season, trailing just behind franchise juggernauts like Jurassic World: Rebirth, which has crossed Rs 60 crore in its second weekend.
Written and directed by James Gunn, Superman introduces a fresh take on the iconic hero, with a cast that includes
Rachel Brosnahan
as Lois Lane,
Nicholas Hoult
as Lex Luthor, and supporting performances by
Isabela Merced
, Nathan Fillion, Anthony Carrigan, and Edi Gathegi.
As the film enters Sunday, it is expected to continue its upward trend. All eyes are now on whether Superman can maintain its box office momentum and close the weekend on a strong note.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indian Express
25 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Aussie vlogger visits Delhi gym, reacts to Indian bodybuilder's physique: ‘Legend's gym'
Jaden Laing, an Australian vlogger who often refers to himself as the 'third strongest man in Australia,' recently visited the Iron Warrior Fitness Club in Delhi's Malviya Nagar and was completely left stunned. Known for its budget-friendly rate of just Rs 150 (around $2) for a day pass, the gym turned out to be anything but ordinary. What began as a casual workout stop during his India visit turned into a surprising encounter when Laing noticed photos of the gym's owner, Nepal Singh Dagar, displayed on the walls. Dagar, a former Mr India (2009), black belt in judo, and a widely respected fitness figure, happened to be there in person. Laing was stunned by Dagar's ripped and chiseled physique. 'I need to hit the weights harder back home,' he says in the video. The surprise did not end here. Another gym-goer with an equally chiseled body caught Laing's attention. Laughing on the camera, he said, 'This guy's physique is insane; I need to start training again,' adding, 'I can't believe you are 51.' Sharing the video, Laing wrote, 'It cost me $2.66AUD for casual visit at this gym and the owner was a bodybuilding legend in India!' Watch the viral video here: A post shared by ujjwal – THE EXPLORER (@ With nearly 30 million views, the video prompted a wave of reactions. Several users requested for the full workout video, with one commenting, 'Bro, now I wanna see the whole workout video! Also love how positive you are and the way you were appreciating those guys. More power to you big man.' Another user wrote, 'Man I really appreciate how positive you are. Your completely break that intimidating gym boys stereotype. Like if you were in the gym I'm planning to go to of start tomorrow cause I know you'd be helpful and not judge my fat a55.' 'That's a true legend there with honest pricing and encouragement,' a third user wrote.
Indian Express
28 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Is the new Superman movie ‘too woke' or just true to its origins?
Written by Shaarvi Magazine Even before the movie's release in the United States this month, the Superman reboot received criticism from conservative commentators for allegedly pandering to liberal values and 'wokeness'. Director James Gunn calling the superhero character an 'immigrant' and speaking about the movie displaying 'human kindness' in an interview set off the comments. But despite the outrage, it has become the most commercially successful Superman film to date, surpassing $220 million at the global box office already. However, it has prompted a broader question: Is the franchise diverging from its roots, or simply rediscovering the inclusive spirit that defined Superman from day one? The term 'woke' is used with some trepidation today. Its use in common parlance has evolved from its origins in African American Vernacular English (AAVE), when it was used as slang for 'awake'. According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, 'Woke is a slang term that is easing into the mainstream from some varieties of a dialect called African American Vernacular English (sometimes called AAVE). In AAVE, awake is often rendered as woke, as in, 'I was sleeping, but now I'm woke.'' The idea of awakening has been associated with the Civil Rights Movement in the US. An article in The Conversation states how in 1965, civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr gave an address called 'Remaining Awake Through a Great Revolution' at Oberlin College, where he said: 'There is nothing more tragic than to sleep through a revolution… The wind of change is blowing, and we see in our day and our age a significant development… The great challenge facing every individual graduating today is to remain awake through this social revolution.' Even today, the idea of awakening signals the need to stay aware or vigilant in the face of threats of violence, with laws still denying basic rights to Black people in many spheres of life, ranging from their free movement to voting. Merriam-Webster noted that the word 'woke' has been embedded into Black artists' music, which has often been political in its references and lyrics. Further, it noted that 'stay woke' and 'woke' became part of a wider discussion in 2014, following the shooting of 18-year-old Black man Michael Brown in the US at the hands of a police officer. The word became associated with discussions around police brutality and the Black Lives Matter movement, which was campaigning against it. For progressive groups, the word's now-common usage means many are not aware of its activism-heavy history. There is a concern that it has gotten divorced from these roots and is now casually used, including by those who are already powerful in society, to sound politically correct without taking any meaningful action. For conservatives, woke means an identity-driven way of driving change, and particularly in the US this is at odds with ideas of liberalism and capitalism – that anyone who wants to be successful can 'make it' through hard work alone, and social identities are no longer determining such things. 'Woke' ultimately stands for maintaining vigilance, where some feel it needs to be stronger in its message, while others question the very need for doing so. For a long time, Superman was the archetype of a superhero, decades before the Marvel superheroes captured the popular imagination. For the uninitiated, the DC Comics hero came from the doomed planet of Krypton. His parents sent him to Earth to ensure his safety, and he was raised in Smallville, Kansas, by his adoptive family. His alter ego is Clark Kent, a reporter who often gets exclusive stories on Superman's antics for The Daily Planet newspaper. 'Superman is as much a legend as he is a man: the gold standard of heroism, compassion and responsibility,' the DC website says. Right-wing commentators have criticised the latest movie on two fronts. First, the storyline has drawn parallels with the ongoing war in Gaza. It opens with Superman (played by David Corenswet) being interviewed by his love interest and fellow Daily Planet reporter Lois Lane (Rachel Brosnahan). Superman has just stopped the country of Boravia from invading its neighbouring Jarhanpur. Boravia is shown as a well-armed nation with US support, while Jarhanpur lacks such resources. Some moviegoers have interpreted this as referencing Israel's military attacks on Gaza and viewed the film's messaging as being anti-Israel. Gunn said in an interview, 'When I wrote this, the Middle Eastern conflict wasn't happening. So I tried to do little things to move it away from that, but it doesn't have anything to do with the Middle East… It really is fictional.' Moreover, the countries of Boravia and Jarhanpur originated from the comics, with Boravia first being mentioned in Superman #2 in 1939, and Jarhanpur first appearing in the JHLA#62 issue in 2002, according to the DC Comics blog. Second is the immigration issue, which has been front and centre in US politics in recent years. Gunn told The Sunday Times in an interview, 'I mean, Superman is the story of America. An immigrant who came from other places and populated the country, but for me, it is mostly a story that says basic human kindness is a value and is something we have lost.' In the movie, Superman's archnemesis, Lex Luthor, screams 'ALIEN!' at him. The term 'illegal alien' is often used in real-life conversations as a pejorative against immigrants, but it is also literal in Superman's case. He responds, 'I'm as human as anyone. I love, I get scared. I wake up every morning and, despite not knowing what to do, I put one foot in front of the other and I try to make the best choices I can. I screw up all the time, but that's being human. And that's my greatest strength…' Other similar instances depict Superman as an epitome of kindness who does not promote violence or killing. Conservative critics argue that the character has undergone a politically charged transformation. The right-wing media organisation Fox News called the film 'Superwoke,' saying it featured 'pro-immigrant' themes. Kellyanne Conway, former adviser to US President Donald Trump, said, 'We don't go to the movie theatre to be lectured to, and to have somebody throw their ideology onto us.' Actor Dean Cain, who played Superman in the 1990s, questioned whether the approach distracts from the story's core values of 'truth, justice and the American way,' calling Gunn's statement a 'mistake'. 'The 'American way' is immigrant-friendly, tremendously immigrant-friendly. But there are rules… We can't have everybody, society will fail. So there have to be limits,' he added. To suggest that the latest iteration of Superman is a result of supposed excessive championing of progressive values ignores his origins in 1938, a year before World War 2. Jewish creators Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster crafted the 'Man of Steel', partly in response to rising fascism, an ultranationalist and authoritarian political ideology, in Europe. From the beginning, Superman was more than a vigilante against street crime; he represented hope and resistance against hatred. In 1940, Nazi party-owned publications like Das Schwarze Korps, of the paramilitary group Schutzstaffel (SS), even condemned the character. Superman initially fought corrupt politicians, gangsters, and oppressive systems, but by the 1940s, he directly opposed fascist villains. The 1940 comics story How Superman Would End The War sees him bringing the villain, Adolf Hitler, to trial. Gunn's film also explicitly draws on classic sources that celebrated Superman's moral backbone. A DC Comics website article says he has cited some older comics, like Superman: Birthright (2003–04), which redefine Clark Kent's immigrant experience. Gunn has also expressed his love for the early comics, when Superman 'was just punching down walls and didn't have any heat vision or X-ray vision.' In fact, the film harks back to the classic, more playful nature of the early comics in many other ways. The inclusion of Superman's pet dog, Krypto, and moments like Clark cooking breakfast for Lois, or the nostalgic score referencing the iconic music composer John Williams, subtly reinforce the original's earnest charm. This was something missing from the darker recent revivals, such as Man of Steel (2013) and Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016), both of which failed to impress the critics and audiences alike. Notably, immigration reform organisation Define American launched a campaign in 2013 to coincide with the release of Man of Steel, titled 'Superman is an immigrant'. The writer is a summer intern at The Indian Express.
India Today
28 minutes ago
- India Today
How Dinesh Vijan became Indian cinema's monster hitmaker
(NOTE: This article was originally published in the India Today issue dated July 21, 2025)On April 7, as leading actors and filmmakers from the Hindi film industry gathered at Taj Land's End in Mumbai to ring in Maddock Films' 20th anniversary bash, one man stood tallest—studio founder Dinesh Vijan. Dressed in a black shirt and trousers, Vijan, or Dino as he is known in industry circles, had good reason to be proud. His last two films, Stree 2 (2024) and Chhaava (2025), had grossed over Rs 1,100 crore in India alone, with Stree 2 emerging the highest grossing Hindi film ever. Rajkummar Rao, Varun Dhawan, Vicky Kaushal, Kriti Sanon and filmmakers like Sriram Raghavan and Amar Kaushik spoke effusively about the production house. 'The guest list became so big that we had to go to Taj; otherwise, I'd have hosted it at our office or some little bar,' says no-frills producer, Vijan may not be a recluse like Aditya Chopra of Yash Raj Films, but he is not as media savvy as Karan Johar of Dharma Productions either. On the back of the two films alone, Maddock has been propelled to the A-League—a force to reckon with, the studio on every film professional's wishlist. 'How people look at you changes with success,' says Vijan. He was in Shirdi days before the release of Bhool Chuk Maaf. Visiting the holy temple has become a ritual since his hit film Zara Hatke Zara Bachke (2023). 'It helps to take the stress away of release,' he adds. One reason why Maddock is a behemoth in Bollywood is the horror comedy universe that has become its trump card. Unlike YRF's spy universe, it's distinctly Indian, with stories set beyond the metros—Chanderi for Stree, Arunachal Pradesh for Bhediya (2022) and the Konkan region for Munjya (2024). Vijan hadn't conceived the universe when Stree (2018) was being developed. But advice from Hollywood producer Charles 'Chuck' Roven in 2012-13 over dinner in Los Angeles had stayed: 'Build your own box, build your characters.' After Stree became a surprise superhit, Vijan did just that. By interspersing characters from the films (Stree, Bhediya and Munjya), Vijan has built himself an IP (intellectual property) that's reaping dividends at the box office. Maddock has announced eight more titles in the universe, with films flowing until 2028. This year's addition will be Thama, featuring Ayushmann Khurrana and Rashmika Mandanna and set in the South. WITHOUT SUPERSTARSHorror comedies are only part of Maddock's bouquet. There are family comedies and romances like Hindi Medium (2017), Bala (2019) and Luka Chuppi (2019), historic/ mythology which started with Chhaava and armed forces dramas (Skyforce and the upcoming Ikkis). 'We like making artistic films that resonate with a new, emerging India,' says Vijan. 'Ours is a content-first approach. Anyone who has a whacked-out idea comes to us first, which is good.' What is even more impressive is that Maddock has hit the peak without banking on superstars. None of the three Khans, Ranbir Kapoor or Alia Bhatt has done a Maddock film yet. In fact, Maddock has contributed to the star content of actors like Deepika Padukone (Love Aaj Kal in 2009 and Cocktail in 2012) and Rajkummar Rao (the Stree films). But stars have wised up: Akshay Kumar had a small but significant part in Stree 2. For Vijan, it's more important to find stories that do justice to a star's approach is to not tie up directors with contracts. 'You feel free. You can express yourself better,' says filmmaker Laxman Utekar, who has directed four Maddock films, including Chhaava. 'Dino doesn't sit with a calculator; he is emotionally involved in the film.'advertisement Each Maddock film begins with a tribute to Dino's father, Prem, a Mumbai-based businessman who inspired Vijan profoundly, including passing on the filmi keeda by taking him to the movies every Sunday. Vijan studied for an MBA in Mumbai and worked as an investment banker before pivoting to films. 'Without him, I wouldn't be the person I am, make the films I do and go through the hurdles I did,' he says. Vijan credits his father with shaping his understanding of India by exposing him to the country's diverse realities and cultures during their family trips. 'I can't tell you the soft value of it. It is priceless.' Films like Badlapur (2015), Luka Chuppi, Zara Hatke Zara Bachke and Sector 36 (2024) demonstrate Vijan's affinity for stories set in a lesser-seen India. 'India no longer looks to the West in an aspirational manner. We want stories about ourselves,' says FOR SUCCESSVijan admits that he isn't the most social person, but he values relationships and keeps a tight inner circle. It includes his sisters, Poonam and Pooja (both producers at Maddock); Sharada Karki Jalota, who helms creative; Ashni Parekh, who handles legal; and Homi Adajania, the director who has been with the studio since his debut film, Being Cyrus (2005). Vijan shuns showbiz glitz and prioritises personal life. A father to twins, he tries to reach home before they go to bed at 8 pm. He calls his wife Pramita his 'lady luck'; the two tied the knot in 2018.'Dinesh sir is focused on finding stories from our culture and history. With that, you can jump genres,' says Vicky Kaushal, who acted in the Maddock hits Zara Hatke Zara Bachke and Chhaava. Also, Maddock relies on internal screenings to get feedback, with Vijan taking the lead on cutting eye-catching trailers and sitting on music sessions. The India-first outlook has empowered Vijan to consolidate his victories. Stree's success emboldened him to up the budget for part II. 'Do it bigger, better, madder and crazier,' he says. For Munjya, he spent nearly 60 per cent of the Rs 45 crore budget on visual effects to develop the titular character, a vengeful, annoying spirit. By far, his biggest gamble was Chhaava, a Rs 200 crore budget historical action drama on Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj. 'It was my biggest fear as I was navigating uncharted territory,' says Vijan. The film released in February and is Hindi cinema's biggest grosser for 2025 thus far. Vijan isn't even done with 2025—up next is the romance Param Sundari with Siddharth Malhotra and Janhvi Kapoor; Thama is expected during Diwali; and there is Ikkis, a father-son story on the 1971 war hero Arun Khetarpal, with Dharmendra, Jaideep Alhawat and Agastya Maddock's stars are rising, but Vijan is aware of the testing times for the industry. 'Just our films working is not enough,' he says. 'Among the four to five main players, there is camaraderie and conversation on how we can help increase the overall pie.' Maddock has had its share of setbacks, with films like Agent Vinod (2012), Raabta (2017), Love Aaj Kal 2 (2020) and Roohi (2021). Kriti Sanon, who has been associated with Maddock since Vijan's ill-fated directorial debut Raabta, has seen Maddock grow from a 'cosy place' to a 'huge building' in Santa Cruz. 'He has learned from every film that hasn't worked,' she says. 'He analyses what he could have done differently and what didn't work in the film objectively.'advertisementVijan isn't letting success get to his head. 'I want Maddock to succeed me. So long as I am hitting it correctly, I should lead it. But at any point if I can't, I'd like to hire the guy who is better than me.' For now, though, everybody wants a piece of to India Today Magazine- Ends
