Project Hail Mary, starring Ryan Gosling, is turning into a surprise theatrical sensation in India.
The Hollywood space drama released in India on March 26, a week after its global release on March 19. The delay was reportedly planned to avoid a direct clash with Aditya Dhar’s Dhurandhar 2, which is currently dominating the Indian box office.
Even with the delayed release, the film ran into another issue in India; it was initially denied IMAX screens, despite being made specifically for the IMAX experience. This sparked disappointment among movie lovers and fans online.
Following strong backlash and growing demand, all 34 IMAX screens in India started screening the film from March 27.
And the response has been nothing short of extraordinary.
From 6 AM shows to even a 3:45 AM screening, audiences have been turning up in huge numbers. Several IMAX shows were reportedly sold out, proving that the demand for the film is far stronger than expected.
On its opening day in India, Project Hail Mary had only 13 IMAX shows. But after the audience response, the number of screenings was quickly expanded.
Over the weekend, most IMAX theatres across the country are running at least two shows a day, and many of them are seeing strong occupancy.
Based on the bestselling novel by Andy Weir, the author of The Martian, the film follows Ryland Grace (played by Ryan Gosling), a lone astronaut who wakes up aboard a mysterious spacecraft with no memory of who he is or what mission he is on.
Directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, the film blends science, emotion, spectacle, and survival drama on a grand scale.
One of the most talked-about aspects of the film is that the makers reportedly did not rely on CGI or green screen for many of the space sequences, giving the visuals a more immersive and practical feel.
Speaking about the film, Ryan Gosling described it as an “insanely ambitious story” and said it was exactly the kind of cinematic experience that belongs on the big screen.
With a strong supporting cast that includes Sandra Hüller, Lionel Boyce, Ken Leung, and Milana Vayntrub, the film is clearly finding a strong audience among Indian moviegoers looking for a true large-scale theatrical experience.
At this point, Project Hail Mary is proving one thing very clearly; if the film excites audiences enough, even 3 AM is not too early for IMAX in India.