Is it Ranbir Kapoor’s stardom at play? Or is it the trailer that promises equal parts violence and drama? One can’t quite pinpoint the reason, but Animal has generated tremendous pre-release buzz. The makers opened advance bookings in India on November 26, six days ahead of its December 1 release. Within 24 hours, over 1.5 lakh tickets were sold. The figure is expected to reach 2 lakh by Monday night.

Trade analysts are predicting an opening of Rs 30 crore and upwards. What exactly is working in favour of Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s directorial venture? A trade source tells us, “Owing to the film’s A certification, there was fear that it might not open to big figures. But the pan-India promotional approach has worked to their advantage. Animal is a pan-India film releasing in Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada and Malayalam. The actors have shot for chat shows in Hyderabad, done extensive promotions in south India as well as a major event in Delhi.” The source adds that the music—with tracks by Punjabi artistes like B Praak, Bhupinder Babbal and songwriter Jaani—has become popular in the northern belt.