It was an eventful run-up to what was being touted as the clash of the year. Fans picked their side, there were long-running negotiations over screen division. And yet, as the big day arrived, Shah Rukh Khan’s Dunki and Prabhas’ Salaar: Part 1—Ceasefire found themselves sharing a common aspect—a mixed audience response. Khan’s final release of 2023, coming after two blockbusters in Pathaan and Jawan, scored a Rs 28 crore opening. The average opening isn’t worrisome as it hit the marquee on a non-holiday. What is worrisome, however, is that Rajkumar Hirani’s directorial venture hasn’t impressed the audiences as much as his past gems did. Rajasthan-based exhibitor Raj Bansal says, “The audience was expecting a much better film from Shah Rukh and Rajkumar Hirani. It has fallen short of their expectations.”