PremiumSriram Raghavan reflects on Merry Christmas’s box-office performance - ‘As long as my budgets...’
Sriram Raghavan directed Katrina Kaif, Vijay Sethupathi starrer Merry Christmas. Here is what the filmmaker feels about the film’s box-office performance.
Sriram Raghavan talks about his film, Merry Christmas. (Image Credits: Filmmaker's Instagram handle)
Last Updated: 10.31 AM, Mar 23, 2024
It has been a little over two months since Merry Christmas – a film helmed by Sriram Raghavan – hit the theatres. Now, the film is available for Netflix users as well. Katrina Kaif and Vijay Sethupathi played the lead roles in the thriller. However, it is interesting to note that despite having a stellar cast and crew, the film failed to perform well at the box office. By the end of January, the film only managed to mint close to Rs 20 crores at the box office. Reflecting on this development, Sriram Raghavan has an observation.
Sriram Raghavan reflects on Merry Christmas’s box-office performance
Speaking with The Indian Express, the eminent filmmaker said, “As long as my budgets are in check, I am realistic about the kind of film I am making, in my head, I will know that this film is (safe). It depends also on the actors. If it is a big star I am taking, then the advantage of people coming to see the star is also the disadvantage of the star and the fans expecting the same kind of movie.”
The Merry Christmas filmmaker further observed and said his recent theatrical has been viewed by many people on Netflix, which further helped boost the film's popularity.
Theatrical performances of movies in 2024 so far
It is not a secret that mostly big action films or wholesome entertainers have made money at the box office in 2024 so far. Fighter (an action film) minted over Rs 200 crores in India theatrically. Not only this, but Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya – a wholesome entertainer, which was not appreciated by the critics much, too, minted over Rs 100 crore globally.
However, such observations can change with time as well. Shaitaan – a horror thriller, has minted over Rs 100 crore theatrically in India within just two weeks of its release. This film was released on March 8.
Is Sriram Raghavan’s next to be a war film?
After the success of thrillers Badlapur (2015), Andhadhun (2018), and Merry Christmas (2024), Sriram has decided to venture into a new genre of film – patriotic action film. His next directorial is titled Ikkis – which is based on the life of the late Indian Army officer, Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal.