‘F1’ box office collections day 9: Brad Pitt starrer picks up speed, crosses Rs 44.5 cr mark in India

After a solid first week and a slightly muted second Friday, 'F1' found its rhythm again on Saturday. The film added an estimated Rs 5.75 crore on Day 9, bringing its total India net collection to Rs 44.5 crore across all languages, according to the Sacnilk website.Strong turnout in evening and night showsSaturday’s growth came largely thanks to strong occupancy in the English 2D version. The film recorded an impressive overall occupancy of 57.42% across India. Morning shows were relatively modest at just under 30%, but afternoon screenings jumped to nearly 59%, followed by packed evening (69%) and night shows (71.88%).

On track for a strong second weekend If Sunday continues this upward trend, the film could comfortably cross Rs 50 crore by early next week — a strong showing for a Hollywood sports drama in India.While weekday numbers held steady around Rs 3.5 crore, this Saturday bump proves that F1 still has fuel in the tank. And with no major competition in its genre, the film might just keep cruising through the coming week.Directed by Joseph Kosinski, 'F1' stars Brad Pitt in the lead. The movie has an impressive supporting cast that includes Javier Bardem, Kerry Condon, Damson Idris, and Tobias Menzies.Our verdictETimes rated the film with 3.5 stars and our review reads, "Brad Pitt nails the role of a driver with laid-back arrogance, shining in every scene—whether he’s strutting in with retro swagger or brushing off the media with monosyllabic replies. Don’t miss the finale, where it’s just him in the cockpit, the world around him fading into silence—what he calls ‘flying.’ Damson Idris is equally compelling as the new-age driver, skillfully balancing raw talent with the modern demands of social media and public presence.

Kerry Condon as Kate McKenna stands her ground as the APXGP technical director who’s trying to prove her mettle in the male bastion. Javier Bardem, as the flamboyant and desperate team owner, injects the narrative with charm."