Haunted 3D: Echoes Of The Past emerged as one of the biggest surprises at the box office on Friday, collecting approximately Rs. 2.50 crore nett on its opening day in India. Before release, expectations for the film were relatively low, making its first day performance an unexpected development for both industry observers and cinema exhibitors.
The film performed particularly well in smaller centres, where even theatre owners were reportedly surprised by the level of audience response. While many recent Hindi releases have relied heavily on collections from premium multiplexes, Haunted 3D: Echoes Of The Past found support from a different segment of moviegoers.
According to trade estimates, the three national multiplex chains contributed only around one fourth of the film’s total opening day earnings. In today’s market, major multiplex chains often account for nearly half of a film’s collections. This indicates that the film’s audience was concentrated in regions and theatres outside the premium urban centres.
Delhi and Uttar Pradesh emerged as the film’s strongest market, contributing close to Rs. 1 crore to the opening day total. This was more than double the collections recorded in Mumbai, which is usually one of the highest performing territories for Hindi films. Other regions that reportedly delivered strong numbers included Bihar, CPCI and West Bengal.
On the other hand, Karnataka, which has recently become an important market for many Hindi releases, did not contribute significantly to the film’s opening day earnings.
The film’s performance is notable because there were very few expectations surrounding its release. Many observers viewed it as a modestly mounted horror film with limited commercial prospects. However, the original Haunted 3D, released in 2011, was a successful box office performer and built a loyal fan following over the years.
The director is also known for several successful low budget horror films, including entries from the popular Raaz franchise. Despite this track record, many believed that this style of horror storytelling had lost its appeal over the past decade. The opening numbers of Haunted 3D: Echoes Of The Past suggest there may still be an audience for such films.
Whether the movie can maintain its momentum remains uncertain. Horror films often attract a large portion of their audience during the opening days, and early viewer feedback has been mixed. Even so, the film’s opening has provided a rare positive development for the Hindi box office, which has experienced a relatively quiet period since the release of Bhooth Bangla in April.
Haunted 3D: Echoes Of The Past Box Office Collection In India
Day 1: Rs. 2.50 crore nett
Total: Rs. 2.50 crore nett