The big belly panda fever hit theatres on 1 April, 2016 as DreamWorks’ blockbuster Kung Fu Panda 3 came all the way fighting to India after its US and China release. The very fact that ‘Kung Fu Panda’ is in the theatres excited the Indian audience and without much of a thought the Indian folks rushed to the theatres. This traction paved the way to making it the highest opener for an animated film in India with a collection of over Rs 10 crore in its opening weekend.
According to the report by IANS, the film which released on 1 April, 2016 in India, collected Rs. 2.1 crore on its opening day followed by Rs 3.4 crore on Saturday and Rs 4.6 crore on Sunday — totalling to Rs. 10.1 crore. Though the film was released way back on 29 January, 2016 in the US, Canada and China and on 11 March in the UK, the thrill for the film was quite alive and Indian audiences were waiting to witness the film on the big screen. (Even though many in India had already downloaded and watched the film.)
Just like its earlier ventures, Kung Fu Panda (2008) and Kung Fu Panda 2 (2011) which grabbed the attention worldwide, this third sequel too collected $149.1 million in China itself, and around a total of $464,128,902 worldwide till 3 April, 2016.
It had a bigger opening weekend in China than in the US and Canada and the latter market recorded the lowest opening among the franchise. Well, it faced a tough competition from Disney’s Zootopia which opened in China with $24 million.
Produced by DreamWorks Animation and distributed by 20th Century Fox, Kung Fu Panda 3 attracted audience in India due to its strong brand building and resonance of the lead panda character ‘Po’. The spectacular first two ventures of the franchise have already set the benchmarks for the third feature and therefore folks trampled to the theatres to see what’s new in this part!
Fox Star Studios, CEO, Vijay Singh said, “When we saw the film, we knew this film will resonate well with not only children but also with the adult audiences. We are thrilled that Kung Fu Panda 3 has recorded the biggest weekend ever for any animated film in India.”
However, though the trailers of Kung Fu Panda 3 created excitement galore among both the veteran followers and first timers of the franchise, the film didn’t portray anything new as such. It resulted as a typical DreamWorks film with concepts larger than life, few glory shots, vigorous extensive chases and the usual art of storytelling of self realisation of the Panda.
Animation wise the film was a bit mediocre and there was nothing great or new in the characterisation. Overall, the film didn’t have anything new to offer but it had a strong influential message just like its earlier ventures.
It all boils down to few things- It’s Kung Fu Panda, it’s DreamWorks and it’s animation action-comedy adventure, so it will attract who it needs to in its own effective way. The thrill will continue as the Panda’s journey has just begun in the Indian theatres; there is a lot more money to amass in these coming days. But, the fact that Disney’s The Jungle Book will release on 8 April, 2016 might divert the audience from this animated film to the live-action animated adventure in the jungle.