Brad Pitt’s latest film, F1, has done something few expected, it has clicked big with Indian audiences. Released to glowing reviews and strong word of mouth, the Joseph Kosinski-directed sports drama has turned into a surprise box office winner in India.
What’s even more striking is how much local moviegoers, especially English-language film fans, were looking forward to it. F1 grossed an estimated Rs.84 crore so far, and with relatively muted competition from Superman and Jurassic World Rebirth, its collections are expected to grow further in the coming weeks.
In fact, trade analysts believe the film might do better in week 4 than it did in week 3, which is rare for any film, let alone a Hollywood sports drama. If the momentum holds, F1 could end its run in India with around Rs.110 crore gross, a massive number by any standard for a non-franchise release.
In Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, the film has earned about Rs.9 crore gross, which is impressive considering the regional dominance of local-language releases.
With F1, Jurassic World Rebirth, and Superman still playing in theatres, this has been a fantastic month for fans of English cinema in India. And the good run might continue, next up is Marvel’s The Fantastic Four: First Steps, which is already building anticipation.
Whether F1 crosses the Rs.110 crore mark or not, one thing is clear: Brad Pitt still has the star power to draw Indian audiences to theatres, especially when the storytelling is this sharp and the buzz this strong.