The much-anticipated film GOAT, featuring a star-studded cast and large production value, has managed to cross the ₹20 crore mark at the box office within two weeks of its release. However, what stands out is not just the numbers, but the significant hurdles the movie faced in its release strategy, especially in North Indian markets. With national chains like PVR, INOX, and Cinepolis not screening the film in North India, potential revenue losses have been substantial, leaving key stakeholders concerned about future releases.
Despite these challenges, the film’s business remains respectable, primarily because of the strength of its Tamil and Telugu versions. Now, as the second week comes to a close, the overall performance is being closely analyzed by trade experts to understand its trajectory amidst the current market dynamics.
Box Office Performance: Impressive Despite Setbacks
The film’s box office performance so far stands at ₹20.51 crore after two weeks, with the first week alone contributing ₹15.61 crore, boosted by a full-fledged Thursday release. In Week 2, GOAT added an additional ₹4.90 crore, a relatively modest increase but notable considering its limited release.
The biggest challenge to the movie’s earnings came from its absence in the North Indian circuits, where national chains and distribution rights held by Zee Studios incurred heavy losses. Had the movie been screened at these chains, the revenue potential would have been far greater. This issue has prompted urgent calls for resolution to prevent similar situations in the future and safeguard revenue for upcoming films.
Here’s a day-by-day breakdown of the second week’s collections:
| Day | Collection |
|---|---|
| Friday | ₹55 lacs |
| Saturday | ₹98 lacs |
| Sunday | ₹1.34 crore |
| Monday | ₹62 lacs |
| Tuesday | ₹65 lacs |
| Wednesday | ₹43 lacs |
| Thursday | ₹33 lacs |
| Total | ₹4.90 crore |
Challenges in National Chains and Distribution
While GOAT was expected to rake in higher numbers, the non-release in major national chains in North India has resulted in significant setbacks. The film’s Hindi version struggled to gain momentum due to this, while its Tamil and Telugu versions managed to keep the film afloat in markets where it did see a full release.
Zee Studios, which held the distribution rights for North India, has expressed concerns over the revenue losses. Without the support of prominent national cinema chains, the film lost a considerable share of potential viewership. This has highlighted a growing issue within the industry regarding distribution agreements and the cooperation needed between producers, distributors, and exhibitors to ensure the widest possible release.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next for GOAT?
Despite the hurdles, GOAT continues to be a subject of conversation, not only for its performance but for what it represents in terms of challenges in the current film distribution landscape. The film’s second-week collection of ₹4.90 crore shows that while interest is present, the lack of accessibility has significantly impacted its box office potential.
The industry is now looking toward GOAT as a case study for how to navigate future releases, especially in regional and multilingual films that need the widest reach possible. As the discussions continue about resolving the distribution issues, the overall earnings of the movie in the coming weeks will determine whether it can build on its momentum.
Conclusion
In conclusion, GOAT has had a challenging yet respectable run at the box office. Crossing the ₹20 crore mark in two weeks is a commendable feat, especially given the fact that major national cinema chains in North India didn’t screen the film. The movie’s first-week collection of ₹15.61 crore gave it a strong start, but the second-week collection of ₹4.90 crore shows the potential limits imposed by distribution problems.
Going forward, it will be crucial for stakeholders to address these release-related issues to ensure smoother and more profitable launches for future films. Nonetheless, GOAT remains a strong performer, with fans continuing to support the movie across other regions.
