With the highly anticipated releases of 'Dunki' and 'Salaar' just around the corner, the excitement in the film industry is palpable. As audiences gear up for the long Christmas weekend, trade experts, distributors, and exhibitors have shared their insights about the upcoming movie releases.

"Dunki" and "Salaar Part 1: Ceasefire" are all set to hit the theaters, and the advance bookings have been a topic of discussion among industry insiders. The geographical advance bookings reveal that "Salaar," featuring Prabhas and directed by Prashanth Neel, has garnered a bumper advance in the South states of Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka. However, it has also performed exceptionally well in North India, West India, and Central India. On the other hand, "Dunki" has witnessed strong advance bookings across all areas. Experts predict that this could result in one of the best 10-day earning periods of the year, starting from December 21 to December 31.

Manoj Desai, executive director of Gaiety Galaxy and Maratha Mandir cinema, highlighted that Thursday shows for "Dunki" are almost sold out, while advance bookings for "Salaar" on Friday have not begun yet. The scheduling of shows is currently being finalized in consultation with distributors.

Film trade analyst Girish Johar emphasized that "Dunki" has a strong advance in the Hindi speaking belt and the northern region. He also pointed out that both movies cater to different genres and target audiences. "Dunki" is expected to appeal to a female-led, family audience, while "Salaar" leans towards a massier, male-specific target audience. These differences in genre and regional preferences are expected to contribute to the success of both movies.

In terms of screen distribution, "Dunki" is projected to have a higher number of screens in North India, while "Salaar" will dominate in South India. However, due to its Thursday release, "Dunki" enjoys an edge, with all screens primarily showcasing the film on the opening day. On Friday, the screens will be divided between the two releases. Distributor Rajesh Thadani believes that this advantage will benefit "Dunki" in certain circuits, particularly in North India, while "Salaar" will have a similar advantage in South India.

As for the expected opening numbers, trade experts predict a significant performance by "Dunki" due to its solo release on Thursday. It is estimated to generate an opening of around Rs 50 crores. On the other hand, industry analyst Girish Johar projects an opening of around Rs 35 crores for "Dunki," considering it is not a holiday release and falls into a non-massy, commercial film category. He expects "Salaar" to open around the 10 crore mark in the Hindi belt on Friday, which is also deemed a strong number.

With the clash of these big releases, film enthusiasts eagerly await the box office results of "Dunki" and "Salaar." Both films are poised to make a significant impact and entertain audiences with their unique storytelling and diverse appeal.