INDIA, Dec 24: In an unprecedented feat, "Salaar: Part 1 - Ceasefire" has dominated the box office, setting a new record and outperforming its Indian counterpart, Dunki. The inaugural installment of the Tollywood franchise, featuring Prabhas and Prithviraj Sukumaran as an unlikely duo striving for control in the dystopian city of Khansaar, has emerged as the triumphant force. In contrast, Dunki, a comedy centered on illegal immigration, stars Bollywood luminary Shah Rukh Khan alongside a talented ensemble including Taapsee Pannu, Vicky Kaushal, and Boman Irani.

Collider reports that "Salaar: Part 1 - Ceasefire" raked in an impressive $21.5 million globally in a single day, with $13 million from India and $2.5 million from North America. This remarkable debut establishes it as the highest-grossing Indian film of 2023. Despite Shah Rukh Khan's earlier films breaking records this year, Dunki fell short, earning only $7 million during the same timeframe.

The unexpected triumph of "Salaar" over Dunki is noteworthy, considering Shah Rukh Khan's leading roles in two record-breaking Indian films earlier in 2023—namely, the action-packed "Pathaan," accumulating approximately $126.2 million, and "Jawan," where SRK played dual roles, amassing around $138 million. Alongside the recent blockbuster "Animal," surpassing the $100 million mark, three distinct Indian films have achieved this rare milestone in 2023.

The year 2023 marks a historic moment, with three Indian films crossing the $100 million threshold, breaking a significant global box office record. Prior record-breaking years, such as 2017 and 2022, saw only two movies each reaching this milestone. With its outstanding performance, "Salaar: Part 1 - Ceasefire" is poised to contribute to a fourth $100 million film, elevating the groundbreaking record for 2023.

Although Dunki interrupts Shah Rukh Khan's box office streak, his dual appearance on the list is undeniably remarkable. The success of "Jawan," "Pathaan," and "Salaar: Part 1 - Ceasefire" coincides with a pivotal moment for Indian cinema, gaining increased recognition both critically and commercially on the global stage. Notably, this cinematic triumph aligns with the same year that "RRR" became the first Indian film to secure an Oscar, underscoring the growing international appeal of the region's film industry.