Anthony Ippolito‘s ‘I Play Rocky’ registered a slow start at the Indian box office, despite improving on its second day. The film collected Rs 38 lakh net in India on Saturday, November 14, bringing its two-day domestic net collection to Rs 62 lakh. Its India gross earnings have reached Rs 70 lakh.The film recorded a 58.3% increase in its India net earnings compared with its opening day. It had collected Rs 24 lakh net on Friday, November 13. The opening day’s India gross stood at Rs 27 lakh. The film registered 22% occupancy across 223 shows. On Saturday, its gross collection increased to Rs 43 lakh. The occupancy rate also improved to 33%, although the number of shows stood at 218, according to Sacnilk reports.
‘I Play Rocky’ records a Saturday box office jump
The second-day performance offered some relief for the film after its modest opening. Its India net collection increased from Friday’s Rs 24 lakh to Saturday’s Rs 38 lakh. The two-day gross total now stands at Rs 70 lakh. The film has recorded a combined total of 441 shows across the country.Although Saturday’s figures show improvement, the overall collection remains limited. The increase in occupancy suggests a better response from audiences on the second day. However, the film will need stronger footfalls to build momentum during its theatrical run.
Anthony Ippolito portrays Sylvester Stallone
Directed by Peter Farrelly, ‘I Play Rocky’ takes audiences back to New York in the mid-1970s. The story follows Sylvester Stallone, played by Anthony Ippolito, during a difficult phase of his early career. With acting opportunities scarce, he struggles to pay his bills while looking after his dog, Butkus.His life takes a different turn after he watches an underdog boxer compete against a heavyweight champion. The contest inspires him to write a screenplay about Rocky Balboa, a Philadelphia club fighter. Producers Irvin Winkler, played by P.J. Byrne, and Robert Chartoff, portrayed by Toby Kebbell, recognise the potential in his script. However, the studio wants an established actor for the lead role.
Sylvester Stallone risks everything to play Rocky
Stallone refuses to sell his screenplay unless he gets the opportunity to portray Rocky himself. His determination puts him under further financial pressure as he faces repeated rejections. His partner Sasha, played by AnnaSophia Robb, supports him through the difficult period. Their circumstances eventually become so challenging that Stallone has to sell his dog, Butkus.Director John Avildsen, portrayed by Jay Duplass, subsequently joins the project. The team begins filming with a restricted budget, despite the challenges surrounding the production. The movie eventually achieves a success that few of those involved could have predicted.Cast and technical crew of the filmApart from Anthony Ippolito, the cast features Stephan James, Matt Dillon, P.J. Byrne and Jay Duplass. Peter Farrelly directs the movie, while Sean Porter is the cinematographer. Sam Seig handled the editing.
ETimes review of ‘I Play Rocky’
ETimes gave ‘I Play Rocky’ four stars out of five. The review read, “‘I Play Rock’ tells an unbelievable story in the simplest way possible, and that is where much of its charm lies. It’s evident that Farrelly is clearly enjoying telling the story. The film captures Stallone’s refusal to give up on a script he believed in, but could have done more with the difficulties that came with getting it made. Those looking for a straightforward, feel-good account of the making of ‘Rocky’ will find plenty to enjoy.“DISCLAIMER: The box office numbers and the data in this article are compiled from public and industry sources. All figures are approximate unless explicitly mentioned, offering a fair representation of the movie’s box office performance. These totals may change as official studio data is updated or as additional international market reports are finalized. This data is provided by us for informational and entertainment purposes only.
