Exclusive/ Animal vs Sam Bahadur Box Office Prediction: Is this a one-horse race? Trade experts weigh in

much-awaited Ranbir Kapoor starrer Animal is gearing up for its release on December 1. same day will also see release of Vicky Kaushal's Sam Bahur, which is biopic of Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw. Earlier, re was a lot of curiosity about box office clash between two films. However, after thunderous response that recently released Animal trailer has received, it is expected to take le at box office.

However, it remains to be seen how films will be received by audience and how clash will impact ir lifetime collections. Republic spoke to tre analysts who weighed in on Animal vs Sam Bahur box office battle.

'After Animal, Ranbir will be officially a superstar'

Tre analyst Sumit Kel is certain that Animal will take a bumper opening in all languages. He remains hopeful of Animal’s strong opening in Telugu language, considering director Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s popularity in South.

“After this film, Ranbir Kapoor will officially be a superstar,” Kel shared. Speaking about opening day potential of Animal, he stated, “All languages combined, it can go up to Rs 60 crore plus on its opening day at domestic box office. It can touch a figure as high as Rs 95 to 100 crore worldwide.” Kel also believes that Animal can easily reach a lifetime collection of Rs 500 crore at domestic box office. This would make it fourth movie this year in Bollywood to breach mark after Pathaan, Jawan and Gar 2.

Positives for Ranbir Kapoor's Animal

Both Sumit Kel and Ramesh Bala believe that number of shows for Animal will be limited because of film’s long duration (3 hours 21 minutes), but it would impact film’s business much. Speaking about this, Bala shared, “Day-to-day numbers might be affected, but overall if word of mouth is good, Animal will keep drawing audience for next few weeks.”

Kel is confident that just like Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s previous film Kabir Singh, which too earned Rs 280 crore despite being an A-rated film, Animal too has its own audience base which would help it sail towards box office success without any reliance on family audiences.

Will Sam Bahur cross Rs 100 crore mark?

About Sam Bahur, Sumit Kel noted that Vicky Kaushal starrer has garnered decent vance bookings, considering its opening against Animal. Yet, he ded that film's box office will rely on word of mouth. Vicky Kaushal is presently not big enough a star to pull a big crowd, he shared.

“Sam Bahur has an extremely good film to put up a decent number. It might touch Rs 25 crore on its opening weekend,” Kel said.

Meanwhile, tre analyst Ramesh Bala believes that Sam Bahur has its own share of factors that can bring in audience. Bala stated, “Sam Bahur is biopic of one of most foremost army officials of our country. So people will not totally dismiss film - y will like story, even if not entire film. With a good word of mouth, Sam Bahur can show 50% rise in its Saturday and Sunday collections. Overall, film has potential to reach 100 or 120 crore. Even if it does 80 crore, it’s good.”