Bollywood is set to witness a major box office clash on Independence Day 2024, with three Hindi films releasing on August 15. First, we have Stree 2, directed by Amar Kaushik, which is the sequel to the 2018 superhit movie Stree. The film stars Rajkummar Rao, Shraddha Kapoor, Pankaj Tripathi, Aparshakti Khurana, and Abhishek Banerjee. Alongside this is another comedy, Mudassar Aziz's Khel Khel Mein. This film is an official remake of the 2016 Italian dramedy Perfect Strangers and stars Akshay Kumar, Taapsee Pannu, Vaani Kapoor, Fardeen Khan, Ammy Virk, Pragya Jaiswal, and Aditya Seal. ‘Apne Dum Par Kamata Hoon!’ Akshay Kumar Makes Bold Statement in Response to Box Office Flop Criticism at ‘Khel Khel Mein’ Trailer Launch (Watch Video).

Shifting gears with the tone and genre is Nikkhil Advani's Vedaa, offering a revenge drama set against the backdrop of caste politics, and starring John Abraham, Sharvari Wagh, and Tamannaah Bhatia. Interestingly, Abhishek Banerjee, who plays the antagonist in Vedaa, also appears in Stree 2, while Tamannaah makes a special appearance in a dance song in the horror-comedy. Additionally, Akshay Kumar, the lead in Khel Khel Mein, has a cameo in Stree 2.

With the trailer for Khel Khel Mein being the latest among the three Independence Day films, it's time to compare the trailers and rank the movies based on our prediction of which film could have the biggest opening. Let's reiterate that the ranking is not based on the quality of the trailers but rather on the elements they possess that could attract audiences and benefit the films at the box office, especially considering the competition.

3. Vedaa

Let's say this at the onset - we loved the Vedaa trailer. The film's depiction of caste politics is gritty, and the relationship between John and Sharvari's characters makes for an interesting and relatable camaraderie. We also hope that Sharvari delivers her career-best performance here. However, Vedaa receives the lowest ranking because it's a serious film, and audiences might prefer a more light-hearted experience, which the other two films offer. However, if the reviews are positive, Vedaa could be the dark horse in this race and may even surge ahead. ‘Can I Call Out Idiots?’ Did John Abraham Lose His Temper at the ‘Vedaa’ Trailer Launch After a Journalist Questioned His Choice of Roles? (Watch Viral Video).

2. Khel Khel Mein

Akshay Kumar's biggest strength as an actor lies in comedy, and it's refreshing to see him take a break from social dramas and action thrillers to return to a genre where he truly shines. That's a significant advantage for Khel Khel Mein. The trailer has a fun vibe, and even though it's a remake (the original is streaming on Prime Video), the Italian film might not be well-known to the mainstream audience. While Khel Khel Mein could have a decent box office start, its overall success will depend on reviews and good word-of-mouth, especially given Akshay's recent patchy box office form.

1. Stree 2

Even before the trailers were released, many predicted that Stree 2 would take the top spot in the box office clash, and we have no reason to disagree. The trailer reaffirmed this, as its rib-tickling blend of comedy and horror received positive reactions from nearly all quarters. Even the songs that have been released have gone viral. Stree 2 continues to lead comfortably, and it remains to be seen how it will outpace its competitors after release.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 02, 2024 05:32 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).