Box Office Verdict: Below Expectations
Baby John, the Kalees-directed action thriller starring Varun Dhawan, has collected ₹37.72 crore domestically (net), ranking #331 in Filmymojo’s 2024 box office charts. The film failed to revive Varun’s commercial appeal after recent underperformers.
Box Office Breakdown
Key Stats
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Collection | ₹37.72 crore |
| Current Rank | #331 (All Time) |
| Genre | Action-Thriller |
| Release Date | December 25, 2024 |
| Director | Kalees |
| Lead Cast | Varun Dhawan, Keerthy Suresh, Wamiqa Gabbi |
Genre Comparison
- Average Action-Thriller Collection (2024): ₹85.4 crore
- Baby John vs. Genre Avg: 56% below benchmark
- Top 2024 Action Films:
- Fighter (₹215.2 crore)
- Singham Again (₹269.48 crore)
- Baby John (₹37.72 crore)
Varun Dhawan’s Career Slump Continues
Baby John extends Varun’s box office struggles:
| Movie | Collection (₹ Cr) | Year | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bhediya | 66.8 | 2022 | Semi-Hit |
| Baby John | 37.72 | 2024 | Below Par |
| JugJugg Jeeyo | 85.1 | 2022 | Hit |
Alarming Trend: Lowest opening for a Varun Dhawan-led film since 2014.
Budget & Recovery
The film’s economics reveal its underperformance:
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | ₹65 crore |
| P&A Spend | ₹25 crore |
| ROI | 0.58x |
| Losses | ₹50+ crore |
Industry Context: Needed ₹140 crore to break even.
Weekly Performance
Steep declines post-opening:
| Week | Collection (₹ Cr) | Drop |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | ₹22.4 | – |
| 2 | ₹9.8 | 56%↓ |
| 3 | ₹3.5 | 64%↓ |
| 4 | ₹1.02 | 71%↓ |
Critical Issues:
- 56% second-week drop worse than action film average (~45%)
- Per-screen average never crossed ₹18,000
What Went Wrong?
Identity Crisis: Neither mass nor class appeal
Weak Music: No chartbuster songs to drive youth interest
Marketing Gaps: Failed to highlight USP effectively
Audience Reception
- IMDb Rating: 5.6/10 (Mixed reviews)
- CinemaScore: B- (Below average)
- Social Media Buzz:
- #BabyJohn trended for just 3 days
- 52% lower engagement than Varun’s previous films
Final Verdict
With ₹37.72 crore, Baby John continues Varun Dhawan’s career slump. The film proves that even proven stars need strong scripts and smart positioning to connect with today’s audiences.
Watch Recommendation: Only for die-hard Varun fans; others can wait for OTT.
Data Source: Filmymojo Box Office Database