Alia Bhatt and Sharvari Wagh's new film "Alpha," the latest installment in Yash Raj Films' Spy Universe, premiered today to significant controversy. Social media users are alleging widespread corporate bookings are artificially boosting the movie's box office collections, even as many screenings report minimal audience presence.
Corporate Booking Claims Emerge
Following the first day, first shows, moviegoers took to social media platforms to share their experiences and observations. Numerous posts included photos and accounts of near-empty theaters, questioning the disparity between reported ticket sales data and actual footfall. One netizen highlighted a concerning trend: cheaper tickets, priced between ₹100 and ₹450, remained largely unsold, while more expensive seats, ranging from ₹1,700 to ₹2,500, were reportedly booked in large numbers. This pattern has fueled suspicions that producers or distributors are engaging in self-purchase of tickets to inflate collection figures.
One user claimed, "Only 3 people in the theatre," describing their experience as being "adjusted in a private screening with 2 other people." Another shared a similar sentiment, stating, "Watching Alpha and it feels like YRF has kept a private screening just for me, there's hardly a human in the theatre." These firsthand accounts have intensified the debate around the film's genuine box office performance.
"Alpha" Box Office Predictions and Reception
"Alpha" was already anticipated to be one of the weakest openers in the YRF Spyverse. Trade reports projected an opening day collection of approximately ₹7-8 crore, largely due to slow advance bookings and a lukewarm word-of-mouth response following its teaser and trailer releases. Critics also noted similarities between scenes in "Alpha" and those from international action films such as La Femme Nikita, Atomic Blonde, and Black Widow, leading to accusations of unoriginality.
While some observers suggested that heavy rainfall across various parts of India might have played a role in the low occupancy, the persistent and widespread claims of corporate bookings indicate a deeper issue impacting the film's perceived success. The movie's performance over the upcoming weekend is now heavily reliant on genuine positive word-of-mouth and a significant increase in evening walk-in audiences.