In the vast landscape of Indian cinema, “Bastar: The Naxal Story” embarked on its theatrical journey with modest expectations.
Over its first weekend, this film, featuring Adah Sharma in a key role, managed to accumulate just over ₹2 crore in net collections across India.
Directed by Sudipto Sen and produced by Vipul Amrutlal Shah, this project notably marks another collaboration between the trio following their work on “The Kerala Story”.
Bastar The Naxal Story Opening Weekend Box Office Collection
The narrative set against the backdrop of the Naxal insurgency in Chhattisgarh’s Bastar district aims to draw audiences with its raw and gritty storytelling.
On its day of release, “Bastar: The Naxal Story” garnered ₹40 lakh, followed by a marginal increase to ₹75 lakh on Saturday and concluding the weekend with ₹90 lakh on Sunday.
While the film witnessed its highest collection so far on the concluding day of the weekend, it significantly lags behind the performance of “The Kerala Story”, another Sudipto Sen directorial which bagged ₹16 crore on its third day at the domestic box office.
A Closer Look at “Bastar: The Naxal Story”
Adah Sharma embodies the role of an IPS officer, thrown into the heart of conflicts in Bastar. The film aims to shed light on the complexities and inherent struggles within the region, plagued by Naxalism.
Despite its efforts to highlight the sacrifices of those ensnarled in the turmoil, critiques suggest “Bastar” falls short of delving into the nuanced aspects of its central theme.
The Hindustan Times review pointed out the film’s hesitation to navigate the grey areas of its narrative, making it seem somewhat incomplete despite its patriotic tones and intentions to showcase the realism of the conflict.
Behind the Scenes: Director and Producer’s Vision
Sudipto and Vipul shared their perspectives on the essence of “Bastar”. Without focusing too keenly on the political strings, they aimed to portray the human tragedy that unfolds daily in conflict zones.
Described as a “human document” by Sudipto, the focus primarily rests on the violence that innocents face. “
All politics is on one side, and real sufferers are the common people,” Vipul highlighted, addressing the desire to bring the audience closer to the human tragedies beyond the political discourse.
The Road Ahead
As “Bastar: The Naxal Story” navigates its path in cinemas, it may face challenges in drawing larger crowds, particularly when compared to its forerunner’s success. Yet, the film’s ambition to spotlight the lesser-seen aspects of India’s internal conflicts provides a crucial perspective.
The overall box office performance of “Bastar” could potentially ignite further dialogues about cinema’s role in exploring and narrating stories of human suffering and resilience amidst adversities.
In essence, the movie’s reception underscores the unpredictable nature of box office success and the audience’s ever-evolving tastes.
Whether “Bastar: The Naxal Story” will witness a turnaround in collections or continue on its current trajectory remains to be seen as it moves forward in its theatrical run.
