Both Akshay Kumar, John Abraham record highest opening figures with patriotic releases Gold, Satyameva Jayate

Gold, Satyameva Jayate bring in Rs 40 crore collectively on Independence Day
John Abraham on Satyameva Jayate and Akshay Kumar in Gold

It's a stiff competition that John Abraham has given Bollywood's blue-eyed boy Akshay Kumar at the box office, even as Independence Day proved to be a fruitful one for both the actors. With Rs 25.25 crore in its kitty on day one of its release yesterday, Kumar's Gold outperformed Abraham's Satyameva Jayate, but only by a limited Rs 5 crore. It is also noteworthy that Abraham's actioner collected Rs 20.52 crore despite hitting 2,500 screens in India when pitted against the 3,300 that Gold released in.

Nonetheless, it's been a joyous day for trade experts with both films setting the cash registers ringing. Trade expert Amod Mehra admits that Abraham has turned out to be a surprise package. "We didn't doubt that both films would do well. Gold has emerged to be a winner. But Satyameva Jayate's numbers have been encouraging. Both Akshay and John have recorded their highest day-one business, which is phenomenal."

Mehra adds that a collective figure of Rs 40 crore in a single day is a good sign for the industry. "Since it's a public holiday today [Parsi New Year], the films are going to enjoy good business owing to the long weekend." Trade-smith Girish Wankhede agrees that the long weekend is likely to boost the business of the films. "Important holidays always translate to better business at the box-office, but no one expected it to be this promising."

Rs 25.25 cr
Day one collection of Kumar's Gold

Rs 20.52 cr
Day one collection of Abraham's Satyameva Jayate

Also Read: Akshay Kumar: This is the best phase for me as an actor

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