As the clash between Shah Rukh Khan’s Dunki and Prabhas’ Salaar: Part 1 – Ceasefire looms, coupled with the anticipation of Ranbir Kapoor’s Animal, a compelling revelation unfolds. Fresh from the success of Pathaan and Jawan, Shah Rukh Khan is gearing up to captivate audiences with Dunki, a Rajkumar Hirani film that leans towards drama, providing a refreshing departure from the prevailing trend of high-octane blockbusters like Yash Raj Films’ Pathaan, Gadar 2, Jawan, and Tiger 3.
What sets Dunki apart is its reported modest budget of 120 crores, making it Shah Rukh Khan’s second most economical film in the last decade, following Chennai Express. Similarly, Ranbir Kapoor’s Animal, under the direction of Sandeep Reddy Vanga, carries a budget of only 100 crores, challenging industry norms accustomed to the 200 – 300 crore budget range.
In an era where superstars demand 100 crores per film and profit-sharing is commonplace, Dunki’s budget, excluding marketing and promotion costs, is a mere 75 crores. Meanwhile, Animal’s overall budget stands at a reasonable 100 crores.
Contrasting with films like Prabhas’ Kalki 2898 AD with a staggering budget of 600 crores and Salman Khan’s Tiger 3 at around 300 crores, Dunki and Animal emerge as a silver lining with their sensible budgets. Even Prabhas’ Salaar is crafted on a comparatively modest budget of 250 crores.
Research underscores a common thread among recent superstar film successes – a restrained budget. Shah Rukh Khan and Ranbir Kapoor’s deliberate choice to aim for a budget range of 70 – 125 crores might pioneer a trend among upcoming directors and producers, emphasizing fiscal responsibility for cinematic success.
In essence, Dunki and Animal symbolize a departure from the prevailing trend of extravagant budgets, heralding a return to fiscal prudence in the realm of superstar films. This shift has the potential to reshape the industry’s approach, setting a new standard for future cinematic endeavors.
