Sky Force Box Office Collection Day 1: Mixed Reviews Impact Akshay's Latest Film

Sky Force Box Office: On its first day, ‘Sky Force,’ directed by Abhishek Anil Kapur and Sandeep Kewlani, earned Rs 4.74 crore, missing its Rs 7-8 crore projections due to mixed reviews. In this article, we’ll explore its day-by-day earnings, audience reception, and future prospects at the box office.
Key Takeaways
Despite strong advance bookings generating Rs 3.78 crore, Akshay Kumar's ‘Sky Force’ opened with a first-day collection of Rs 4.74 crore, falling short of initial projections of Rs 7-8 crore due to mixed reviews. The India net collection for the opening day was Rs 4.74 crore, highlighting the film's initial financial performance.
Regional occupancy rates during the opening day indicated sluggish morning interest at 8-10%, but improved to 30-35% during evening shows, suggesting potential for increased attendance over the weekend.
With a production budget of Rs 160 crore, ‘Sky Force’ needs to earn at least Rs 150 crore at the box office to be considered successful, putting pressure on its upcoming performance during the Republic Day weekend.
Sky Force Advance Bookings and Initial Expectations

The anticipation for “Sky Force” was palpable as advance bookings began rolling in. With advance ticket sales generating Rs 3.78 crore, the film created a significant buzz even before its release. This initial excitement was a promising indicator, suggesting that audiences were eager to witness akshay kumar movies, particularly Akshay Kumar’s portrayal of a war hero on the silver screen.
Interestingly, advance booking saw a stronger uptick later in the day, hinting at potential for improved collections as the release date approached. The late surge in bookings could be due to growing word-of-mouth and last-minute decisions by moviegoers to catch the film on its opening day. Robust advance bookings set high expectations, with many hoping the film would surpass the Rs 10 crore mark on box office collection day.
However, the initial enthusiasm faced challenges as mixed reviews began to surface. Despite the strong start in advance bookings, “Sky Force” had a lot to prove on its opening day to meet the lofty expectations set by its initial buzz.
Opening Day Box Office Collection

“Sky Force” opened its box office journey with a collection of Rs 4.74 crore on its first day. While this figure is respectable, it fell short of the initial projections of Rs 7-8 crore, which were based on the strong advance bookings and the expected boost from evening shows. The film’s performance on the opening day was a mix of highs and lows, reflecting the impact of the mixed reviews that had started to circulate.
The occupancy rates throughout the day tell an interesting story. The morning shows saw a rather low turnout, with occupancy rates hovering around 8-10%. This slow start was concerning, but as the day progressed, the overall occupancy rate improved to 12.19%, thanks to a better turnout during the evening shows. Despite this improvement, the film could not achieve the anticipated boost that many had hoped for.
One significant factor that impacted the opening day collections was the mixed reviews from both critics and audiences. While some praised the film for its patriotic theme and strong performances, others felt it lacked depth and compelling storytelling. This mixed reception likely deterred some potential viewers, preventing “Sky Force” from reaching the Rs 10 crore mark on its first day.
Competing with its own hype, the initial buzz and strong advance bookings set high expectations. When these weren’t met, it led to disappointment among some audience sections.
The coming days, especially during the Republic Day weekend, will reveal how “Sky Force” manages to sustain its momentum.
Regional Occupancy Rates for Sky Force
Analyzing the regional occupancy rates for “Sky Force” offers a nuanced view of its opening day performance. Overall, the film managed an occupancy rate of around 19.67% on its first day. This figure, while not groundbreaking, indicates a moderate level of interest across various regions.
Evening and night shows were particularly important, registering occupancy rates between 30-35%. This significant boost during the later shows helped improve the overall numbers and demonstrated that “Sky Force” had the potential to draw crowds, especially among working professionals who prefer movie outings in the evening.
On the flip side, the morning shows were a different story altogether, with occupancy rates languishing between 8-10%. This poor performance in the early hours suggests the film struggled to attract the morning audience, possibly due to mixed word-of-mouth and competition from other activities.
IMAX screenings, which often attract a niche audience, recorded an even lower occupancy rate of 7.56%. This underperformance in premium formats could be a reflection of the film’s mixed reviews, as audiences might have been hesitant to spend extra on a film that received lukewarm feedback. The Hindi screenings, however, saw a peak occupancy of 23.63% during the evening shows, showcasing a stronger preference for the film in its native language.
Budget vs. Earnings: A Comparative Analysis
The financial dynamics of “Sky Force” present a challenging scenario. With a hefty production budget of approximately Rs 160 crore, the film had a lot riding on its box office performance. “Sky Force” needs to earn at least Rs 150 crore at the box office to be deemed successful, an ambitious target given its opening day collection of Rs 4.74 crore.
To achieve average success, the film must reach a minimum of Rs 140 crore. This means that “Sky Force” will need to maintain a steady collection over the coming weeks, leveraging weekends, holidays, and positive word-of-mouth to boost its earnings. The initial shortfall in expected earnings on the first day might put additional pressure on the film to perform consistently well in subsequent days.
Comparing the budget to the opening day earnings highlights the uphill battle “Sky Force” faces. While the film’s narrative and star power provide a strong foundation, the mixed reviews and initial performance suggest that it will need a sustained effort to meet its financial goals.
The upcoming days will be crucial in determining whether “Sky Force” can overcome these challenges and succeed at the box office.
Star Cast and Performance

“Sky Force” boasts an impressive star cast, led by the ever-reliable Akshay Kumar’s performance. Known for his roles in patriotic films, Akshay Kumar delivers a compelling performance as Wing Commander Kumar Om Ahuja, inspired by the real-life war hero O.P. Taneja. His portrayal resonates emotionally with the audience, adding a layer of authenticity to the film.
Veer Pahariya, a debutant veer pahariya, has also made a notable impact with his performance as Squadron Leader T. Krishna Vijaya, based on the true figure Ajjamada B. Devaiah. His role alongside seasoned actors like Akshay Kumar has been well-received, showcasing his potential as a rising star in the industry.
Sara Ali Khan and Nimrat Kaur further enhance the film’s appeal with their significant contributions. Their performances add depth to the narrative, complementing the central storyline and providing additional layers to the film’s emotional arc.
However, despite the strong performances, the film received a mix of praise and criticism from viewers. Some audiences felt that “Sky Force” fell short in terms of depth and storytelling, drawing unfavorable comparisons to other contemporary films. This mixed reception highlights the challenge of meeting high expectations set by the initial buzz and the star-studded cast.
Nevertheless, the performances of the lead actors remain a strong point for the film, contributing to its overall appeal.
Plot and Historical Context
“Sky Force” is deeply rooted in historical events, offering a gripping narrative centered around a pilot’s disappearance after a bold mission. This mission leads to a 19-year search by his Wing Commander, adding layers of mystery and emotional depth to the story. The film’s narrative draws inspiration from true events, offering a compelling blend of action, drama, and patriotism.
Focusing on a real-life war hero, “Sky Force” aims to connect with audiences on a deeper level, evoking national pride and admiration for the sacrifices of the armed forces. This historical context not only adds authenticity to the film but also enhances its emotional resonance, making it a noteworthy addition to the genre of patriotic cinema.
Competition from Other Releases
“Sky Force” finds itself in a relatively favorable position due to the absence of strong competition from other recent Hindi releases. Films like “Mission Raniganj” and “Selfiee” underperforming have provided “Sky Force” with a clearer path to box office success. This lack of competition is a significant advantage, allowing the film to capture a larger share of the audience’s attention.
The film is expected to outperform the combined opening collections of its recent competitors, including “Mission Raniganj” and “Selfiee”. This expectation is based on the initial buzz and the film’s strong advance bookings. With a projected day 1 collection between Rs 7-9 crore net, “Sky Force” has the potential to set a new benchmark for recent Hindi releases.
Despite mixed reviews, the lack of strong competitors gives “Sky Force” an opportunity to dominate the box office. The film’s performance during the Republic Day weekend will be particularly crucial, as it could significantly boost its overall earnings and help it achieve its financial targets.
Audience and Critic Reviews

The reception of “Sky Force” has been a mixed bag, with both audiences and critics offering varied opinions. Fans have rated the film highly, noting it as one of the best patriotic films in recent times. The chemistry between the lead actors has been praised, adding to the film’s appeal despite the mixed reviews.
Social media feedback has been divided, with some viewers expressing discontent and labeling the film as ‘forced’. On the other hand, Twitter reviews have appreciated the film for its focus on the plot based on true events, avoiding unnecessary drama. This polarized reception indicates that while the film has its strengths, it also has notable weaknesses that have affected its overall impact.
Critics have highlighted the film’s ambitious premise but pointed out that its execution fell short of expectations. The mixed audience reactions have the potential to influence the film’s box office performance, as initial enthusiasm wanes. The coming days will be critical in determining whether “Sky Force” can maintain its momentum and overcome the challenges posed by these mixed reviews.
Future Projections and Expected Trends
Looking ahead, experts project that “Sky Force” could see improved box office performance over the weekend. With increased evening and night show occupancy, the film is expected to benefit from a weekend boost, potentially reaching a sky force box force box office collection of Rs 7-10 crore. This improvement will be crucial in helping the film achieve its financial targets.
To make a stronger impact, “Sky Force” should ideally aim for a net collection of Rs 15 crore on its first day, leveraging the Republic Day holiday to attract a larger audience. The film’s performance during the office collection day 1 holiday weekend will be a decisive factor in its overall success, as it provides an opportunity to capitalize on higher footfall and positive word-of-mouth.
As the film continues its box office journey, stay tuned for updates on its performance. Evolving trends and audience feedback will significantly shape the future trajectory of “Sky Force.”
Summary
In summary, “Sky Force” has had a mixed start at the box office, with strong advance bookings but a less-than-expected opening day collection. The film’s regional occupancy rates and the absence of strong competition provide a hopeful outlook for its future performance. The star cast, led by Akshay Kumar, delivered strong performances, but mixed reviews have posed challenges to its overall reception.
As we look ahead, the film’s performance during the Republic Day weekend will be crucial in determining its financial success. The coming days will reveal if “Sky Force” can overcome its initial hurdles and achieve the box office targets set for it. Stay tuned for more updates on this ambitious project.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sky Force was released theatrically on January 24, 2025. This release was in IMAX formats.
Sky Force collected approximately 10.75 crore net in India on its opening day, with varying occupancy rates throughout the day. This indicates a positive reception and significant interest in the film.
Sky Force has made a promising start, earning Rs 10.81 crore on its first day, indicating a positive reception. However, with only 15.71% occupancy, its long-term performance remains uncertain.
"Sky Force" earned Rs 3.78 crore from advance ticket bookings.
"Sky Force" achieved an opening day box office collection of Rs 4.74 crore.