Bollywood psychological thriller Naam finally graced theaters on November 22, 2024, after a prolonged two-decade delay. Directed by Anees Bazmee, film stars Ajay Devgn, Sameera Reddy, and Bhumika Chawla, with supporting roles by Rajpal Yadav and others. Despite its talented cast and intriguing premise, film failed to make an impression at box office, registering lackluster numbers during its opening week. Here’s a comprehensive review of movie’s performance, reasons for its downfall, and its overall verdict.
Naam Movie Hit or Flop? Box Office Collection Day 7 Breakdown
box office performance of Naam has been dismal since its opening day. Below is a detailed day-wise breakdown of its collections in India:
Day | Date | India Net Collection (₹ Crores) | Change (%) |
Day 1 | 22 Nov 2024 (Fri) | 0.22 | – |
Day 2 | 23 Nov 2024 (Sat) | 0.20 | -9.09 |
Day 3 | 24 Nov 2024 (Sun) | 0.30 | +50.00 |
Day 4 | 25 Nov 2024 (Mon) | 0.08 | -73.33 |
Day 5 | 26 Nov 2024 (Tue) | 0.08 | – |
Day 6 | 27 Nov 2024 (Wed) | 0.10 | +25.00 |
Day 7 | 28 Nov 2024 (Thu) | 0.07 | -30.00 |
Total Collections (7 Days)
Metric | Collection (₹ Crores) |
India Net Collection | 0.85 |
Worldwide Gross Collection | 1.02 |
Budget Analysis
film was made on a modest budget of ₹20 crores, broken down as follows:
Category | Cost (₹ Crores) |
Production Costs | 10.0 |
Cast and Crew Fees | 7.0–8.0 |
Marketing and Distribution | 2.0 |
With such limited expenses, Naam required at least ₹15–20 crores in box office revenue to break even. Unfortunately, film’s total lifetime collection is projected to fall under ₹2 crores, marking a significant financial loss.
Screen Count
Region | Screens |
India | 800 |
Overseas | Minimal |
Total | 800 |
Reasons Behind Poor Performance
- Delayed Release:
- Naam was completed in 2004 but delayed by 20 years. Its content, narrative style, and production values now feel outdated.
- Lack of Promotion:
- Unlike Ajay Devgn’s blockbusters such as Drishyam 2 or Singham Again, Naam suffered from negligible marketing and a low-key release.
- Stiff Competition:
- Released alongside larger films, Naam failed to draw audiences already captivated by movies like Singham Again.
- Negative Word-of-Mouth:
- Both critics and viewers panned movie for being predictable, slow-paced, and irrelevant in today’s cinematic context.
- Weak Storyline:
- While psychological thriller genre offers great potential, Naam failed to deliver a gripping or innovative plot.
Critical Reception
Critics universally criticized film’s lackluster screenplay and direction. Despite Ajay Devgn’s solid reputation, his performance in Naam was considered underwhelming, lacking intensity seen in his previous works. film’s outdated themes and pacing failed to resonate with modern audiences.
Audience Perspective
Audiences echoed critics’ sentiments, citing Naam as a missed opportunity. Many felt film was too predictable, with little to offer beyond its dated aesthetic. Social media reactions ranged from disappointed to outright dismissive, with viewers questioning why film was released at all.
Hit or Flop Verdict
Aspect | Rating |
Budget Recovery | ❌ |
Audience Reception | ❌ |
Box Office Collections | ❌ |
Overall Verdict | FLOP |
Comparisons with Ajay Devgn’s Recent Films
Ajay Devgn is a veteran actor known for his versatility. To understand poor performance of Naam, let’s compare its box office collection with his recent hits:
Film | India Net Collection (₹ Crores) |
Drishyam 2 | 239.67 |
Singham Again | 242.05 |
Naam | 0.85 |
stark difference underscores importance of strong content, strategic marketing, and timing.
Lessons for Bollywood
failure of Naam serves as a cautionary tale for filmmakers and producers:
- Relevance is Key:
- Films shelved for years need substantial updates before being released to ensure relevance to contemporary audiences.
- Marketing Matters:
- A strong promotional campaign can make or break a film, especially for low-profile projects.
- Strategic Timing:
- Releasing alongside blockbusters guarantees a limited audience. Proper timing can help smaller films find their niche.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Naam is a classic example of a film that couldn’t overcome challenges posed by its delay and lack of contemporary appeal. Despite presence of talented actors like Ajay Devgn, Bhumika Chawla, and Sameera Reddy, film failed to engage audiences or recover its budget. Its dismal box office performance has cemented its status as a flop, a rare misstep in Devgn’s otherwise stellar career.
Rating: ⭐⭐ (2/5)
While Naam is a disappointment for fans, it is unlikely to impact Ajay Devgn’s reputation as one of Bollywood’s leading actors.
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