Box Office Verdict: Flop
Sarfira, Sudha Kongara’s Hindi remake of the Tamil hit Soorarai Pottru, has managed only ₹22.43 crore domestically (net), ranking #517 in Filmymojo’s 2024 box office charts. Despite Akshay Kumar’s star power, the aviation entrepreneur biopic crashed at the box office.
Box Office Breakdown
Key Stats
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Collection | ₹22.43 crore |
| Current Rank | #517 (2024 Releases) |
| Genre | Biographical Drama |
| Release Date | July 12, 2024 |
| Director | Sudha Kongara |
| Lead Cast | Akshay Kumar, Radhika Madan |
Genre Comparison
- Average Biopic Collection (2024): ₹68.3 crore
- Sarfira vs. Genre Avg: 67% below benchmark
- Top 2024 Biopics:
- Chandu Champion (₹62.87 crore)
- Srikanth (₹50.51 crore)
- Sarfira (₹22.43 crore)
Akshay Kumar’s Struggles Continue
Sarfira marks Akshay’s third underperformer in 2024:
| Movie | Collection (₹ Cr) | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| Bade Miyan Chote Miyan | ₹59.21 | Flop |
| Sarfira | ₹22.43 | Flop |
| Sky Force | (Upcoming) | – |
Alarming Trend: This is Akshay’s lowest-grossing lead role since Samrat Prithviraj (2022).
Remake Comparison
How it fared against the original:
| Film | Collection (₹ Cr) | Platform |
|---|---|---|
| Soorarai Pottru (Tamil) | OTT | Prime Video Hit |
| Sarfira (Hindi) | ₹22.43 | Theatrical Flop |
Key Insight: The Hindi remake cost 4x more but delivered just 2x the original’s theatrical revenue.
Budget Disaster
The numbers reveal a financial nosedive:
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | ₹85 crore |
| P&A Spend | ₹25 crore |
| ROI | 0.26x |
| Losses | ₹75+ crore |
Industry Context: Needed ₹175 crore to break even.
Weekly Performance
Steep declines after weak opening:
| Week | Collection (₹ Cr) | Drop |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | ₹14.28 | – |
| 2 | ₹5.62 | 61%↓ |
| 3 | ₹1.93 | 66%↓ |
| 4 | ₹0.60 | 69%↓ |
Critical Flaws:
- 61% second-week drop worse than industry average (45-50%)
- Per-screen average never crossed ₹25,000
What Went Wrong?
- Remake Fatigue: Audiences preferred watching original on OTT
- Mismatched Casting: Akshay’s urban image didn’t suit rural protagonist
- Poor Timing: Released during T20 World Cup fever
- Marketing Mishaps: Failed to communicate USP effectively
Final Verdict
With just ₹22.43 crore, Sarfira joins 2024’s biggest disappointments. The film proves that even proven hit formulas need careful adaptation and smart positioning.
Watch Recommendation: Wait for OTT if curious about the story.
Data Source: Filmymojo Box Office Database