SRK's grand comeback? Pathaan eyes stormy box office opening

The actor is featuring in a film after a gap of four years. His last release was 2018 film Zero.

Even before the release, Pathaan, which co-stars massively popular actor Deepika Padukone opposite Shah Rukh, has created a storm with the advance booking of tickets.

As per a report by The Indian Express, about 400,000 tickets to watch Pathaan were sold in a span of 36 hours.

BookMyShow Cinemas COO Ashish Saksena said as quoted by the daily, "After a long 4-year wait, superstar Shah Rukh Khan is all set for an electrifying comeback with Pathaan jet-setting on advance sales.

"The much-awaited action-thriller has already crossed 400,000 tickets in advance sales on BookMyShow in less than 36 hours of tickets going live on the platform."

"Advance sales for Pathaan are opening in phases with 2000 screens available on BookMyShow so far with the Hindi language version of the film expectedly leading the charts, closely followed by Telugu," he added.

Saksena said Pathaan is also receiving a good response in south India, where the regional films have given Bollywood run-for-their-money post pandemic.

After Om Shanti, Chennai Express and Happy New Year, Pathaan is the fourth film where Deepika has collaborated with Shah Rukh.

Apart from Padukone, the film stars John Abraham in the lead.

The film was caught in the midst of controversy after some ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders had objected to the saffron-coloured bikini worn by Deepika in the film's Besharam Rang song, where the leading pair's sensational chemistry was not to be missed.

With some edits as were recommended by the film certification board (CBFC), Pathaan has received the U/A certificate.