Advance Booking Update: Anaconda Sells 18,000 Tickets Across National Chains Amid Brutal Clash With Four Major Releases

The advance booking performance of Anaconda has opened on a modest note, with the film selling approximately 18,000 tickets across national multiplex chains (PVR INOX + Cinepolis) so far. While the numbers are on the lower side, the context of its release window makes the challenge unusually steep.

Anaconda has landed in theatres during one of the most congested and competitive box office frames in recent times, facing direct and indirect pressure from four heavyweight releases that are commanding audience attention, screens, and premium show slots.

The biggest roadblock is Ranveer Singh–Aditya Dhar’s Dhurandhar, which is behaving like a box office juggernaut deep into its run, continuing to post extraordinary numbers even in its third week. Adding to the pressure is James Cameron’s Avatar: Fire And Ash, which is dominating premium formats like IMAX and 3D, severely limiting high-value capacity for other films.

On the Hindi front, Tu Meri Main Tera, Main Tera Tu Meri is also in the mix, aggressively chasing urban screens and evening shows despite its own struggles. Meanwhile, strong regional performers in key circuits are further tightening screen availability, making it extremely difficult for a mid-scale release like Anaconda to find breathing room.

Trade feedback suggests that Anaconda is suffering less from lack of awareness and more from severe show scarcity and unfavourable timings. Exhibitors are understandably prioritising films with higher occupancy trends, pushing Anaconda towards non-peak slots across most properties.

From a box office standpoint, the film’s fate will now depend heavily on spot bookings and post-release audience reaction. In such a crowded market, even a marginal positive word-of-mouth can help stabilise collections, but the margin for error remains extremely thin.

In isolation, 18,000 advance tickets would signal a soft opening. However, when viewed against the backdrop of four dominant box office forces colliding simultaneously, the performance reflects the harsh realities of the current theatrical ecosystem rather than outright audience rejection.

The coming days will determine whether Anaconda can hold its ground through organic walk-ins  or whether the ongoing box office storm leaves little room for recovery.

Disclaimer: The box office figures are compiled from various sources and internal research. The figures can be approximate, and CineInfinity does not make any claims about the authenticity of the data. However, they are adequately indicative of the box office performance of the film(s).