The box office is currently witnessing a fascinating clash between two completely contrasting cinematic ventures. On one side stands the high-budget spectacle Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups, headlined by actor Yash, which created a sensation by crossing the one-hundred-crore-rupee mark on its very opening day. However, following that explosive start, the big-budget project has experienced a steady slowdown, with its daily collections dropping consistently. On the other hand, Hanuman Ansh, produced on a modest budget of around two crores, has emerged as a major surprise. Despite an exceptionally slow start, the spiritual drama gained immense traction through positive word of mouth, pushing its earnings far beyond its production cost.
Toxic Opening Splendor and Sharp Monday Decline
Starring Yash, Nayanthara, and Kiara Advani, Toxic hit theatres on August 26. The film registered a massive net collection of 101.10 crore rupees across India on its opening day alone. Ever since, a continuous downward trend has been observed in its earnings. The collections dropped to 37.65 crore rupees on the second day, 27.20 crore rupees on the third day, 25.15 crore rupees on the fourth day, and 23 crore rupees in net collections on the fifth day.
The ultimate test arrived on the sixth day, which was the first Monday, when the decline steepened further. According to industry trackers, Toxic managed to earn around 7.45 crore rupees net across roughly 13,400 shows. This marks the lowest single-day collection for the film so far, representing a drop of approximately 67.6 percent compared to the previous day. With these numbers, the domestic net collection of the movie stands at 221.55 crore rupees. Meanwhile, the domestic gross collection has reached 264.80 crore rupees, while the worldwide gross figures stand at approximately 304.05 crore rupees.
The Remarkable Box Office Journey of Hanuman Ansh
While the collections of the high-profile Toxic continue to slide, Hanuman Ansh, a film inspired by the life of saint Neem Karoli Baba, has maintained a robust stronghold at the box office even on its 25th day. Written and directed by Vishal Chaturvedi, the feature was made on a minor budget of just 1.75 to 2 crore rupees. It has proved to be an unprecedented surprise, starting with a modest collection of around 10 lakh rupees on day one and accumulating a mere 1.48 crore rupees over its first two weeks.
However, the tide turned dramatically during the third week. Propelled by strong word-of-mouth promotion, audiences began flocking to cinema halls, enabling the film to pull in 10.40 crore rupees in its third week alone. The momentum carried forward with stellar earnings of 6.25 crore rupees on the 22nd day, 9.25 crore rupees on the 23rd day, and 12.75 crore rupees on the 24th day.
On its 25th day, marking its fourth Monday, the film brought in 5.15 crore rupees net. According to tracking data, its total domestic net earnings have reached 45.28 crore rupees, with gross collections touching 53.43 crore rupees. Made on a minimal investment, the film has now multiplied its initial budget manifold.
The Spiritual Narrative Behind Hanuman Ansh
The core narrative of Hanuman Ansh centers on the early spiritual journey and philanthropic life of the revered saint Neem Karoli Baba. The plot revolves around a troubled young boy who sets out in search of the divine in the hope of reuniting with his late mother. Over time, through unconditional love, the distribution of food, and silent blessings, he dedicates his life to serving humanity, eventually becoming known as Hanuman Ansh or Neem Karoli Baba.
