After generating good pre-release buzz and excitement amongst the masses, Mission Mangal finally released yesterday and as expected the movie immediately  stormed the Indian box office and how! The space drama directed by Jagan Shakti opened to good reviews from critics and it also impressed the B-town folks big time. No wonder, Akshay Kumar’s second outing of the year witnessed more than 50% occupancy across India during the morning shows on Thursday. The film picked up more pace during the evening and night shows which ultimately ensured a fantabulous first-day figure. Mission Mangal minted Rs 29.16 crore on day 1 and left behind films like Kalank, Kesari and Kabir Singh to register the second biggest opening of the year. Box Office Report: John Abraham's Batla House Off to a Decent Start, Akshay Kumar's Mission Mangal Witnesses Over 50% Occupancy Across India

Announcing the good news, film trade analyst Taran Adarsh took to Twitter just a while back and wrote, “#MissionMangal takes a fantabulous start... #IndependenceDay holiday gives biz an additional boost... Multiplexes outstanding, mass circuits good... Emerges Akshay Kumar's biggest opener... Thu ₹ 29.16 cr. India biz.”

Adarsh also tweeted, “Akshay Kumar and #IndependenceDay releases... Day 1 biz...2016: #Rustom ₹ 14.11 cr [Fri; working day], 2017: #ToiletEkPremKatha ₹ 13.10 cr [Fri; working day], 2018: #Gold ₹ 25.25 cr [Wed; holiday], 2019: #MissionMangal ₹ 29.16 cr [Thu; holiday]. India biz.” Mission Mangal Movie Review: Vidya Balan Is the True Hero in Akshay Kumar’s Engaging Ode to ISRO’s Mangalyaan Saga

Mission Mangal, which is based on India’s successful Mars Orbiter Mission, also stars Vidya Balan, Taapsee Pannu, Sonakshi Sinha, Kirti Kulhari, Nithiya Menen and Sharman Joshi in the lead. The space fantasy drama, despite not being a solo release, is expected to do a business of around  Rs 70 to 80 crore in the opening weekend itself. In fact, if the film doesn’t witness a sharp drop tomorrow then it could even cross the Rs 100 crore mark in its extended four-day weekend.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 16, 2019 11:39 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).