The much-hyped biopic Ajey – The Untold Story of a Yogi, based on Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s life, finally hit theatres this Friday. Despite solid promotions and a decent IMDb rating of 7.8, the film’s opening day box office numbers turned out to be surprisingly underwhelming.
A Slow Start at the Box Office
On Day 1, Ajey managed to collect just around ₹20 lakh at the Indian box office. Considering the buzz, advance bookings, and the strong following of Yogi Adityanath, expectations were much higher. The film has been released across nearly 150 screens in Uttar Pradesh, but so far, the performance hasn’t matched the hype.
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What’s Holding the Film Back?
The movie was initially set to release on August 1 but got delayed due to objections from the censor board. By the time it released, the momentum seemed to have dipped. Trade analysts suggest that unless collections pick up over the weekend, exhibitors and distributors may start cutting down shows.
Still, the film’s makers remain optimistic. Director Ravindra Gautam, who earlier worked on Maharani (Season 2) and Ekkees Toppon Ki Salaami, believes Ajey has all the ingredients to connect with the audience.
Loud Cheers in Theatres
Interestingly, despite the dull start, the film sparked emotional reactions in theatres, especially in Lucknow and Varanasi. Audiences were seen chanting “Yogi-Yogi” and “Jai Shri Ram” during the screenings. In Lucknow’s Gomtinagar multiplex, chants of “Yogi Baba Zindabad” echoed through the hall. Clearly, the film has a loyal audience base, even if numbers are modest right now.
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The Making & Research Behind the Film
Ajey is inspired by author Shantanu Gupta’s book The Monk Who Became Chief Minister. During research, the makers discovered several lesser-known aspects of Yogi Adityanath’s early life. For instance, before becoming a monk at 22, he was pursuing an MSc in science and was known as a bright student.
Director Gautam also revealed that while working on the film, the team was so influenced by Yogi’s lifestyle that they voluntarily gave up eating non-vegetarian food during the shoot.
Will the Collections Grow?
The next few days will be crucial for Ajey. If word-of-mouth turns positive, the film could see a rise in numbers, especially given Yogi Adityanath’s popularity in Uttar Pradesh. But if the trend continues, the movie may struggle to sustain its run.
