Independence Day Weekend: Bollywood's Battle at the Box Office

With the Independence Day weekend approaching, Bollywood is set for a blockbuster showdown with the release of three major films: 'Stree 2', 'Vedaa', and 'Khel Khel Mein'. Trade experts are optimistic that these releases will boost box office collections, particularly 'Stree 2', a much-anticipated sequel to the hit 2018 horror-comedy starring Rajkummar Rao and Shraddha Kapoor.

Both 'Vedaa', featuring John Abraham, and 'Khel Khel Mein', starring Akshay Kumar, are expected to perform well but may face stiff competition. Trade analyst Taran Adarsh predicts 'Stree 2' to be the audience's hot favorite. The extended five-day weekend, which includes Raksha Bandhan, is seen as a strategic advantage for these releases.

However, industry insiders express concerns that multiple releases might cannibalize each other's box office potential. Senior distributor Raj Bansal estimates that 'Stree 2' will open strong with Rs 18-20 crore, while other films will have combined openings of Rs 8-10 crore. Despite these predictions, the extended weekend is likely to be a fruitful period for Bollywood, provided that the films capture the audience's interest.

(With inputs from agencies.)