KKN Gurugram Desk | Shahid Kapoor’s much-anticipated action-packed thriller, Deva, has finally hit the big screens. With Shahid portraying a fierce and intense cop, the film was expected to make a strong impact at the box office. Marketed as a high-energy mass entertainer, Deva generated significant buzz before its release. However, early indications suggest that the film might not open as impressively as expected. Despite Shahid Kapoor’s star power and the film’s genre, the box office predictions hint at a slow start.

Deva’s Advance Booking Collections: A Disappointing Start

Advance booking numbers are often a key indicator of a film’s initial performance. For Deva, the figures have not met industry expectations. According to trade reports, Deva managed to collect only ₹1.67 crore (gross) from advance bookings before its release. With less than one lakh tickets sold nationwide, the film’s pre-release traction has been underwhelming.

However, there is still hope for Deva. Given its mass appeal and action-oriented storyline, the film might perform better in tier-2 and tier-3 cities, where spot bookings and walk-in audiences play a crucial role. While urban centers haven’t responded enthusiastically in pre-sales, Deva has the potential to gain momentum as the day progresses, especially if word-of-mouth is positive.

Deva Box Office Day 1 Prediction: Will It Recover?

Industry analysts predict a modest opening for Deva. Early estimates suggest that the film’s first-day earnings could be in the range of ₹5-7 crore nett in India. The absence of early critic screenings means that audience reviews will start pouring in only by the afternoon, which could influence ticket sales later in the day. If positive word-of-mouth spreads, Deva might push towards the higher end of this estimated range.

However, if these predictions hold, it would be a significant drop compared to Shahid Kapoor’s previous blockbuster, Kabir Singh. Released in 2019, Kabir Singh earned a staggering ₹20 crore on its first day, more than three times what Deva is currently expected to make. This stark contrast underscores the challenge Deva faces in replicating Shahid’s past success.

Competition at the Box Office: Can Deva Outperform Sky Force?

Adding to Deva’s hurdles is the competition from Akshay Kumar’s Sky Force, which is still running strong in its second week. Sky Force, which released a week earlier, has been maintaining a steady performance at the box office. On its seventh day, Sky Force collected ₹5.50 crore, which is close to what Deva is expected to earn on its opening day. As of noon on Friday, early trends show that Sky Force has already earned ₹31 lakh, while Deva is slightly ahead with ₹32 lakh in earnings.

If Deva fails to build momentum over the weekend, it could struggle against Sky Force and other upcoming releases. The weekend performance will be crucial in determining whether Deva can recover from its slow start and pick up pace.

Factors Affecting Deva’s Box Office Performance

1. Lack of Aggressive Promotions
   While Deva did generate pre-release excitement, it lacked the aggressive promotional strategies that often drive strong openings. Compared to Kabir Singh, which had an extensive marketing campaign, Deva’s promotional efforts have been relatively subdued.
2. Limited Advance Bookings in Urban Centers
   A significant chunk of box office collections comes from advance bookings, particularly in metro cities. With Deva failing to make a strong impact in pre-sales, it heavily relies on spot bookings and walk-in audiences.
3. Mixed Audience Interest
   While Deva appeals to action lovers and fans of mass entertainers, its overall audience reach appears limited. Unlike Kabir Singh, which had strong youth connect and repeat audiences, Deva caters primarily to action film enthusiasts.
4. Strong Competition from Existing Releases
   Sky Force has already established its hold over audiences, and with no significant drop in its collections, it remains a strong competitor. Unless Deva receives exceptional word-of-mouth publicity, it may struggle to surpass the ongoing dominance of Sky Force.

About Deva: Cast and Crew

Directed by Rosshan Andrrews, Deva marks his debut in Bollywood. The action thriller features Shahid Kapoor in a high-energy role, with Pooja Hegde and Pavail Gulati playing key roles. The film’s gripping soundtrack and background score have been composed by Jakes Bejoy, with an additional track composed by Vishal Mishra.

Will Deva Pick Up Over the Weekend?

Despite a slow start, Deva still has a chance to improve its box office collections over the weekend. The film’s performance will largely depend on:

• Audience reception and reviews: If the audience enjoys Shahid Kapoor’s intense cop avatar, the film could see a jump in collections on Saturday and Sunday.
• Positive word-of-mouth: Unlike advance bookings, mass action films often rely on in-theater reactions to attract more viewers.
• Regional appeal: If Deva gains traction in smaller towns and single-screen theaters, it could sustain itself over the next few weeks.

Shahid Kapoor’s Deva entered theaters with high expectations, but its box office performance so far suggests a challenging journey ahead. With a projected opening day collection of ₹5-7 crore, the film is significantly behind Shahid’s previous hit Kabir Singh. Moreover, strong competition from Sky Force could impact Deva’s earnings in the coming days.

For Deva to sustain at the box office, it needs strong weekend growth and positive audience feedback. While the film’s action-packed narrative and mass appeal could work in its favor, the slow start raises concerns about its long-term performance. The next 48 hours will be crucial in determining whether Deva can bounce back and establish itself as a box office success.

Stay tuned for more updates on Deva’s box office performance, reviews, and industry insights!