Prabhudheva directed Dabangg 3, starring Salman Khan, has everything the hardcore Chulbul Pandey fans want. The film released this Friday (December 20) and as expected, Salman fans rushed to the theatres to catch a glimpse of their favourite cop. Directed by Prabhudeva and produced by Salma Khan, Arbaaz Khan and Nikhil Dwivedi under the banner of Salman Khan Films, the film also features Sonakshi Sinha, Arbaaz, Amole Gupte, Mahie Gill and Tinnu Anand apart from marking the debut of actor-filmmaker Mahesh Manjrekar's daughter Saiee Manjrekar. 

On day 1 at the box office, Dabangg 3 collected Rs 24.5 crore in all version. Trade analyst Taran Adarsh tweeted the numbers saying, "#Dabangg3 hits 20 cr+ on Day 1 thanks largely to #SalmanKhan’s star power... Day 1 biz would’ve easily been much, much higher had it not been for the protests..."

#Dabangg3 hits 20 cr+ on Day 1 thanks largely to #SalmanKhan’s star power... Day 1 biz would’ve easily been much, much higher had it not been for the protests... Resultantly, biz kept fluctuating throughout the day... A substantial sum was lost due to this reason...

— taran adarsh (@taran_adarsh) December 21, 2019

RECOMMENDED READ: Salman Khan’s and Sonakshi Sinha’s ‘Dabangg 3’ opens with a bang at the box office

On the other hand, YRF’s Mardaani 2 starring Rani Mukerji is a hit. It again had a good hold on second Friday as it collected Rs 1.15 crore despite a big new release and the ongoing CAA protests in various parts of the country. The total collections of this riveting thriller, which is now playing in 800 screens in the second week, is now at Rs 29.20. 

#Mardaani2 declines on Day 8 [second Fri] due to heavy reduction of screens and shows + a biggie hitting the screens [#Dabangg3]... Also, biz was affected in several circuits... [Week 2] Fri 1.15 cr. Total: 29.20 cr. #India biz.

— taran adarsh (@taran_adarsh) December 21, 2019

The edge-of-the-seat thriller sees Rani in a race against time to capture a brutal serial rapist who systematically targets women. Rani is reprising the role of the fearless and committed Superintendent of Police, Shivani Shivaji Roy in the film.

(Source: Twitter)