Ahead of Jaat’s release, trade and film experts discuss expectations from the film, which stars Randeep Hooda in a negative role.
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Salman Khan’s Sikandar’s failure has been an eye-opener for many. Recently, Ajay Devgn also shared that all film industries are going through a bad time. Now with a new release, will Sunny Deol wake Bollywood from its slumber? Film exhibitor Akkshay Rathie says, “Sunny Deol is truly one of the bona-fide stars of good old times. He has stardom which is built over decades. He has an insane popularity that cuts across the length and breadth of the country. It’s just a question of films being made that are appropriate for him and showcase his strengths. He still has a huge loyal mass audience that will turn up at the cinemas for him. We saw that with Gadar 2, and who knows, it might happen with Jaat or Lahore 1947, it’s just about getting the content right.”
Trade analyst Komal Nahta also said, “Sunny Deol had a bad patch, but after Gadar 2, he is at the top of his game once again. He made a phenomenal comeback, one that you can dream of; he experienced that. He is loved by the audience.” Trade expert Joginder Tuteja added, “He is someone who is still relevant after more than 4 decades. No one from his generation is acting as a hero in a movie, they have moved to character roles or ensembles. No one can take that away from him. He is also the fittest of them all; being 67, he looks quite well.”
While Sunny did have his share of a bad releases, Gadar 2 did prove to be quite a game-changer for him. Sunny returns with Jaat, which is also his first pan-India film. Talking about Sunny’s Gadar 2 being successful, trade expert Joginder Tuteja says, “The fact is that Gadar 2 primarily worked because of the nostalgia for the franchise. The film’s trailer was very well cut. It was a clear-cut sequel, not just made for the heck of it, which is why it worked and brought Sunny Deol back on the radar.”
Sharing his views on the same, Akkshay said, “With Gadar 2, we saw the ability he has to draw an audience. The huge audience now doesn’t come because of a star, but the storytelling.” While Komal Nahta added, “Every film can’t be a Gadar 2, and it doesn’t need to be a Gadar 2.”
Does Sunny Deol still have it in him to pull the masses to the theaters?
Sunny Deol has always received the audience’s love in abundance, and with Jaat also the same will happen. “I don’t think the audience is bothered about a South maker or a South banner, Sunny is in an action role, that is where they like him. Jaat is a standalone project, and if it’s entertaining, it will work. He can pull the audience, no doubt about that,” says trade analyst Komal Nahta.
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Akkshay Rathie adds, “It’s the good old sensibilities of mainstream commercial cinema that are coming back and suit him. His audience is expecting Sunny Deol-ness out of Sunny Deol. They love him in a certain avatar and mannerisms. When he caters to a certain audience that adores him and loves to see his films. If you give them what they like, they will lap it up. Sunny has played all sorts of characters in the past, predominantly North Indian. In this one, I see more reasons why people will enjoy watching him in this avatar.”
Joginder Tuteja also opines, “Had Jaat come 2 years back, I don’t know how much of a chance it would have had. It would have looked similar to Singh Sahab The Great. Today, it is looking better for audiences because of Gadar 2. Before Gadar 2, Sunny did Chup, which was a hardcore multiplex film, but it didn’t work at all. Overall, I see some good prospects for Sunny Deol because he has gathered a new segment of audiences.”
‘Even if Jaat takes Rs 10 cr opening at the box office it will be huge…’
Other than Vicky Kaushal’s Chhaava, no other 2025 film has worked at the box office so far. And while the industry is figuring out the reasons for it, Joginder feels that a double-digit opening at the box office is a big deal for any actor, given the current situation. “People should not expect another Gadar 2, that film opened to earning Rs 40-45 crores. So even if Jaat takes a 10 cr opening, it will be huge. To get a double-digit opening for an actor who is coming with a non-franchise, non-sequel film in the current market situation is a big deal,” he says.
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While Komal Nahta had not seen the film when we spoke, he was quite positive about the film working. “It’s very difficult to say now, but I think Jaat will work. The teaser and trailer have been talked about positively.” Akkshay Rathie added, “Gopichand Malineni and Mythri Moviemakers are filmmakers who solidly mount their work, making it very commercial. That has worked for Sunny time and again. So, I expect the film to do 50 to 70 crores in the worst-case scenario.”
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While Jaat will go through the litmus test very soon, Sunny Deol has his hands full with two other films – Lahore 1947 and Border 2. As for Jaat, the film also stars Regina Cassandra, Randeep Hooda, and Vineet Kumar Singh in important roles.
Sunny Deol Jaat box office prediction (Photos: Sunny Deol / Instagram)