The time-bending triumph of ‘Interstellar’ in India

In a country where Christopher Nolan’s films are less watched than worshipped, the beloved sci-fi spectacle’s prodigal return to theatres felt like a second coming — proof that some classics, much like time, space, and Nolan bhakts’ unwavering devotion, are immune to decay

It is a truth universally acknowledged that Christopher Nolan operates as something of a deity in India. Amongst the pantheon of India’s flourishing lineup of box office divinity, the Oscar-winning British filmmaker’s shrine would be an IMAX theatre, and the truculent faithful would show up in droves, rain or shine, to witness his latest sermon on time, space, and the fragility of human existence. So perhaps it shouldn’t have come as a shock when his beloved 2014 space epic returned to Indian theatres and was greeted with an ecstatic, almost religious fervour.

Despite nearly a decade since its original release (or just a little over an hour on Miller’s planet), Interstellar has been pulling audiences into IMAX theatres with an enthusiasm typically reserved for caped crusaders or musical numbers for over a month. Over 3,00,000 tickets had already been sold for the first (and possibly only) week alone, with advance bookings crossing ₹10 crore, eclipsing expectations and hinting at something more than mere nostalgia. It was as if the movie itself had slipped through a wormhole and landed right back at the top of the box office.

For Ashish Saksena, COO of BookMyShow, the frenzy was hardly surprising. “Interstellar still enjoys a dedicated and passionate fanbase in India,” he noted. “Over the years, the film has gained a cult following, and we noticed significant interest from moviegoers eager to experience it on the big screen again — especially in premium formats like IMAX.”

Indeed, the numbers were staggering. Bengaluru led the ticket sales charge, closely followed by Hyderabad, Mumbai, Delhi-NCR, and Pune. Even smaller cities like Kochi, Trivandrum, and Coimbatore were reporting heavy interest, making it clear that the re-release of Nolan’s sci-fi odyssey was being treated like a major motion picture event.

Christopher Nolan’s grip on India is a curious phenomenon: a frustrating, but often intoxicating assortment of intellectual posturing and blockbuster spectacle. Hollywood movies do well here — Marvel, Fast & Furious, the occasional Avatar sequel — but Nolan’s films are a different species. Word of his releases are celestial events, pulling crowds with the unrelenting force of a collapsing star.

“Our data consistently reveals that Indian audiences are particularly drawn to Nolan’s films,” Saksena confirmed. “His storytelling and masterful direction resonate deeply, and the advance bookings for Interstellar were comparable to India’s biggest homegrown blockbusters.”

This is not hyperbole. Oppenheimer, Nolan’s most recent Best Picture-winning outing, became an unexpected juggernaut in India, pulling in nearly ₹150 crore — outperforming Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One and rivalling the earnings of some Bollywood heavyweights. The success of Interstellar‘s re-release is simply the latest testament to Nolan’s rare ability to marry spectacle with cerebral storytelling — an alchemy that Indian audiences seem to crave.