With a global total shy of $63 million, “Jawan” has already emerged as the fourth highest-grossing Indian film of the year. In India, the film continues to create pandemonium, with sold-out shows throughout the nation. The Atlee-directed film had a historical fourth day at the box office, grossing over ₹ 71.63 cr, per analyst Sumit Kadel. Globally, the film is making major strides, proving that Shah Rukh Khan’s dominance exists beyond India. With such strong receipts and positive hype surrounding the film, it’s all but guaranteed that the film will emerge as one of the highest-grossing Indian films of the year.
Does “Jawan” have what it takes to outgross “Pathaan,” the highest-grossing Indian film of the year? Probably. As it stands, “Jawan” is already breaking the records and momentum that “Pathaan” set just earlier this year. Globally, “Jawan” is striking a chord, especially with the Indian diaspora, thanks in part to its relevant political themes and messaging. And while “Pathaan” was a crowd-pleaser, “Jawan” essentially deifies Khan as a larger-than-life being, making this a must-watch for even his most casual fans.
Beyond that, the film marks the Bollywood debut of veteran Tamil-language director Atlee, a famed filmmaker who has a rabid fanbase of his own. “Jawan” stands out as a film engineered to have as much mass appeal as popular, across all of India. Take to social media and prospective viewers will find audiences cheering as the film introduces Khan’s morally grey character. Or, perhaps, they’ll be surprised to see cinemas turn into stadiums as Khan dances to the first film’s song. From a box office perspective, “Jawan” is more than a film — it’s a cultural movement, not unlike this year’s “Barbenheimer” where heading to cinemas became a must-do social event.