As of December 29, 2024, Baby John, starring Varun Dhawan, has struggled to gain traction at the Indian box office. Despite high expectations for its Christmas release, the film has failed to impress audiences and critics alike, leading to a disappointing collection report on its fourth day.
Lackluster Opening and Declining Collections
Released on December 25, Baby John opened with a modest collection of ₹11.25 crores. However, the film experienced a significant drop in earnings in the following days. On Day 2, it managed to earn only ₹4.75 crores, reflecting a steep decline of 57.78%. The downward trend continued on Day 3 with earnings of ₹3.65 crores, a decrease of 23.16%. On Day 4, despite being a Saturday—typically a strong day for box office collections—the film brought in ₹4.25 crores, marking a slight recovery of 16.44%. By Day 5, the film earned ₹3.55 crores, bringing its total domestic collection to approximately ₹27.45 crores.
Critical Reception and Audience Response
Directed by Kalees, Baby John is an official remake of the Tamil film Theri, featuring a mix of action and drama. While Varun Dhawan’s performance and the film’s action sequences received some praise, overall reviews have been mixed. Critics noted that despite its potential, the film struggled to connect with audiences during a competitive holiday season.
The film has received a rating of 1 star from critics, with many describing it as bloated and incoherent. It has been characterized as one of the worst films of 2024.
Competition from Other Releases
Baby John faces stiff competition from other major releases, notably Pushpa 2, which continues to dominate the box office even in its fourth week. On the same day that Baby John earned ₹4.25 crores, Pushpa 2 reportedly grossed around ₹12.5 crores, further highlighting Baby John’s struggles.
Future Prospects
With reports of reduced screenings and lackluster audience turnout, industry insiders suggest that Baby John may soon conclude its theatrical run. The film was expected to perform significantly better given its budget and star power but is now on track to become one of Bollywood’s biggest flops of the year.
Cast and Crew
- Varun Dhawan as DCP Satya Verma IPS / John
- Keerthy Suresh as Meera Verma
- Wamiqa Gabbi as Khushi’s teacher
- Jackie Shroff as Babbar Sher
- Rajpal Yadav as Head Constable Ram Sevak
- Zara Zyanna as Khushi Verma
- Sheeba Chaddha as Satya’s mother
- Sanya Malhotra (special appearance)
Day-Wise Collection Breakdown
- Day 1 [1st Wednesday]: ₹11.25 Cr
- Day 2 [1st Thursday]: ₹4.75 Cr (−57.78%)
- Day 3 [1st Friday]: ₹3.65 Cr (−23.16%)
- Day 4 [1st Saturday]: ₹4.25 Cr (+16.44%)
- Day 5 [1st Sunday]: ₹3.55 Cr
- Total: ₹27.45 Cr
Conclusion
Despite the star-studded cast and high expectations surrounding its release, Baby John has failed to make a significant impact at the box office. As it heads towards an uncertain future, audiences and critics alike will be watching closely to see how this action thriller ultimately fares.
Disclaimer: Box office figures are based on estimates and may vary as new data becomes available.
