“The Iron Claw” is undoubtedly a buzzing title in India, despite not being streamed in the country. Besides India’s love for movies, the country has been a lover of wrestling, especially something like WWE. But as “The Iron Claw” isn’t streaming in India, can it be a successful title in the country?
As of this year, India stands at the fourth place of the WWE in the viewers’ list with 3.35% global viewers, establishing itself as one of the most profitable markets besides China. Even a couple of years ago, it registered double the viewers in weekly shows than the USA audience, making it a profitable market.
Now, this was India’s love for wrestling. Among cinephiles, A24 and Lionsgate are already two very popular names, and a film associated with them won’t be facing a problem in terms of distribution. But again, the question arises, will it be a successful title over here?
India has shown a plethora of love throughout the years for Hollywood, especially this year. Oppenheimer, Mission Impossible, Fast X, and John Wick all climbed the ladder and grossed 129Cr, 120Cr, 109Cr, and 54Cr consecutively.
Advertising it as a wrestling movie will definitely give them a head start, as it has also been India’s sport as well. India also has quite a few sports biopics, including something like Paan Singh Tomar, Mary Kom, M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story, and Bhaag Milkha Bhaag.
Most foreign biopics, especially sports ones, focus on certain sports with which Indians don’t connect. Sports like Baseball, Basketball, and Rugby have gifted some of the best biopics, but they didn’t connect with Indians for a very valid reason.
But now, if The Iron Claw can appeal to the audience in a better way, through the spirit of wrestling, it can actually advertise well, get some wrestlers to promote it, and even collaborate with WWE. It might be a good underdog film.