Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat is continuing to find audiences for itself and even on the third day, it did bring in good collections of Rs. 7.10 crores. The first day collections were Rs. 10.10 crores and then Wednesday hold was quite good too at Rs. 8.88 crores. Now on Thursday too the hold is good enough and while it was a regular weekday, there was also advantage of Bhai Dooj when families do take an off day.

All that the film needs today now is to hold around the same levels as the actual weekend has kickstarted. As long as the number stays on to be over Rs. 6 crores, it would be decent, at least, since there is growth that’s bound to come tomorrow and then day after. If somehow more than Rs. 7 crores come in today, then the film would have an actual chance to hit a half century by close of Sunday itself as the trending would have been super positive.

Still, all of that is academic because if not Sunday then at least by Tuesday the film will hit Rs. 50 crores mark, which means it would then get into a profit zone from just the theatrical business itself. At the very least, the film is looking at a lifetime of over Rs. 70 crores and that would make it one of the biggest successes when compared to so many other higher budgeted films that have struggled to reach this mark in 2025.

Note: All collections as per various box office sources

After bringing in Rs. 25.11 crores on its opening day and then Rs. 19.23 crores on its second, Thamma had decent collections on Thursday as Rs. 14.45 crores came in. Drops post Diwali day are on expected lines and since these are coming on weekdays, it’s okay since the actual weekend is still ahead of it.

Yes, had the collections stayed around Rs. 15.50-16.50 mark on Thursday then it would have been even better but still, what’s coming is also good enough and now all eyes are on the stability today and then momentum tomorrow and day after. Ideally, the film should get into that Rs. 15-16 crores zone today, at least, as that would assure Rs. 20 crores on Saturday and then chance to exceed Tuesday numbers on Sunday. Once that turns out to be the case then Rs. 100 crores would be assured by the close of weekend, and then the journey towards Rs. 200 crores lifetime could begin.

However, there are many variables on the way for this Ayushmann Khurrana and Rashmika Mandanna starter and hence these three days are the most crucial. Since the reports for the film are good, it does warrant a double century to its name and with an open season ahead, the makers would be hoping too of that happening eventually.

Note: All collections as per various box office sources

The Milap Milan Zaveri directed Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat has witnessed a drop in collections on the third day. According to early estimates, the Harshvardhan Rane starrer has collected approx. Rs. 6 crores on its third day, taking the total to Rs. 24.90 crores.

The decline of around 25% is within the expected range, especially after a strong hold on Day 2. The film continues to attract youth audiences in tier-2 and tier-3 centres, while metropolitan circuits have seen a sharper fall due to the end of the festive boost. Despite the dip, the film’s trending remains stable considering its limited showcasing across single screens and smaller towns.

The movie has clearly found its core audience, and the goodwill from Sanam Teri Kasam continues to aid recall and footfalls. If the film maintains its pace through the weekend, Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat is likely to touch the Rs. 40 crore mark by the end of the 6-day extended Diwali period, setting it up for a clean HIT verdict.

The film has already surprised trade analysts by exceeding early projections and holding its ground against bigger releases, proving yet again that strong emotion-driven storytelling continues to find its audience.

The Ayushmann Khurrana and Rashmika Mandanna starrer Thamma has maintained a steady trend on Day 3. As per early estimates, the film has collected in the range of Rs. 12 crores to Rs. 12.50 crores on Thursday, showing another healthy hold as compared to Wednesday.

With this, Thamma’s three-day total stands at approximately Rs. 56 crores at the India box office. The Dinesh Vijan–produced Maddock Horror Comedy Universe (MHCU) film continues to perform best in urban and premium multiplex circuits, sustaining interest through strong word of mouth.

The six-day extended weekend target of Rs. 100 crores now seem slightly ambitious, with current trends pointing towards an extended weekend total in the range of approx. Rs. 90 crores. Nevertheless, the film’s trajectory remains solid and is likely to emerge as Ayushmann Khurrana’s biggest hit to date, cementing his position as the Master of Uniqueness even in a large-scale universe film.

After collecting quite well in double digits on Tuesday with Rs. 10.10 crores coming in, Milap Zaveri’s Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat surprised on Wednesday as the hold was much better than expected. It had seemed that around 25% drop would come on the day after big Diwali holiday and Wednesday numbers would be in Rs. 6.50-7.50 crores range. However, there was another very good day in store as Rs. 8.88 crores came in that has taken the two-day score to Rs. 18.98 crores.

Now, that’s hardly a drop and could well have been the first day number and still been quite good. However, it’s the second day score and that goes on to show that there is an audience out there where word of mouth is seemingly working since there is as much as music and the lead hero’s rising popularity that can do, and post that merits start coming into picture.

Still, it’s early days and the acid test would be the hold today for this Harshvardhan Kapoor and Sonam Bajwa starrer. If collections emerge on top of Rs. 7 crores today, then it’s game on since there would be a definite rise in collections again tomorrow, with chances of the film hitting double digit again on Saturday and Sunday. If that indeed turns out to be the case, then we could as well have a sure shot hit in the six-day extended weekend itself.

Note: All collections as per various box office sources

After opening quite well at Rs. 25.11 crores on Tuesday, Thamma saw a good hold on Wednesday as Rs. 19.23 crores came in. Since this was the day after big Diwali holiday, collections were bound to come down. Also, Tuesday was as it is good enough and hence as an absolute number on Wednesday has come out well.

A number in Rs. 18-19 crores was always going to have a good ring to it as that would have meant at least Rs. 15-16 crores more today before the core weekend begins. Now, the film will have a substantial extended weekend for itself and as long as the drop, if any, is under control today, the collections will go up again tomorrow with Friday and Saturday stepping over Rs. 20 crores mark and then Sunday aiming to cross first day number of Rs. 25.11 crores all over again.

The two-day total of the Ayushmann Khurrana, Rashmika Mandanna and Nawazuddin Siddiqui starrer currently stands at Rs. 44.34 crores and that’s a good total when the actual weekend is still ahead of it. The horror comedy is set to be a success and the next few days will decide how big will that turn out to be.

Note: All collections as per various box office sources

Ayushmann Khurrana has every reason to celebrate this festive season. His latest release, Thamma, has set the box office ablaze with a phenomenal start, emerging as the highest opening day grosser of his career. The Dinesh Vijan production has collected an impressive Rs. 25.11 crores on Day 1, marking a record-breaking beginning for the Ayushmann.

For an actor known primarily for his high-concept, content-driven cinema, this number is a landmark achievement. Thamma has more than doubled the opening of Ayushmann’s previous best, Dream Girl 2 (Rs. 10.69 cr), which held the top spot until now. The actor’s earlier films like Bala (Rs. 10.15 cr), Dream Girl (Rs. 10.05 cr), and Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan (Rs. 9.55 cr) also delivered strong openings, but none came close to the thunderous response Thamma has generated.

Even his breakout hits such as Badhaai Ho (Rs. 7.65 cr) and Article 15 (Rs. 5.02 cr) were celebrated for their content and longevity rather than massive day-one figures. Doctor G, one of his more recent releases, had opened at a modest Rs. 3.87 cr, a reflection of the challenges content films faced in the post-pandemic theatrical landscape. With Thamma, however, Ayushmann has rewritten the narrative, proving that strong content can coexist with blockbuster-scale opening numbers.

The film’s extraordinary debut also underscores the growing fanbase for Dinesh Vijan’s Maddock Horror Comedy Universe (MHCU). Over the years, Maddock has cultivated a distinct identity with films like Stree, Munjya, and Bhediya. Thamma, which sees Ayushmann playing a Betaal — a bold, unorthodox role with no cinematic precedent — fits perfectly into that universe, blending humour, folklore, and heart with mass appeal.

Trade circles have lauded Ayushmann’s ability to turn unconventional premises into mainstream winners. The film’s strong start during Diwali, traditionally dominated by commercial action entertainers, proves that audiences are now willing to embrace originality during festive periods as well.

Given its massive opening and highly positive word-of-mouth, Thamma is expected to enjoy an excellent run through the extended six-day festive weekend. Industry predictions suggest the film could clock anywhere between Rs. 60-70 crore by the end of its extended debut frame making it not only Ayushmann Khurrana’s biggest opener, but also potentially his highest-grossing film to date.

With Thamma, Ayushmann has not just delivered a box office hit he’s redefined what success looks like for original, high-concept Hindi cinema.

Ayushmann Khuranna’s Highest Opening Day grossers at a glance: Thamma - Rs. 25.11 cr Dream Girl 2 - Rs. 10.69 cr Bala - Rs. 10.15 cr Dream Girl - Rs. 10.05 cr Shub Mangal Zyada Saavdhan - Rs. 9.55 cr Badhaai Ho - Rs. 7.65 cr Article 15 - Rs. 5.02 cr Doctor G - Rs. 3.87 cr

Ayushmann Khurrana has done it again! His latest release, Thamma, has set the box office buzzing with a fantastic opening, proving that content-driven cinema can pack a major commercial punch even amid big-ticket spectacles. According to early estimates, the Dinesh Vijan production has collected an impressive Rs. 25.11 crores on its opening day, securing the fourth spot among the biggest opening day grossers of 2025.

With this feat, Thamma has managed to surpass several big releases, including Housefull 5 (Rs. 24.35 cr), Saiyaara (Rs. 22 cr), Raid 2 (Rs. 19.71 cr), and Kantara: A Legend – Chapter 1 (Rs. 18.50 cr). The only films ahead of it are the year’s massive tentpoles — Chhaava (Rs. 33.10 cr), War 2 (Rs. 29 cr), and Sikandar (Rs. 27.50 cr).

Trade analysts credit this powerful start to the combination of Ayushmann’s credibility in offbeat genres and producer Dinesh Vijan’s growing Maddock Horror Comedy Universe (MHCU). Over the years, Maddock has cultivated a strong following for its high-concept, entertaining stories that blend humour with supernatural elements. With Thamma, that universe expands, and its fanbase clearly showed up in full force over the Diwali weekend.

What makes Thamma’s debut even more significant is the competition it faced. Releasing in a festive frame, the film managed to carve its own audience, pulling crowds through strong word-of-mouth and the allure of Ayushmann’s unconventional “Betaal” act — a role no mainstream Bollywood hero has attempted before.

Given its start, Thamma is expected to witness a robust weekend trend. Early projections indicate that the film could clock around Rs. 70 crore by Sunday, a number that would firmly establish it as one of 2025’s most profitable ventures.

Top 10 Highest Opening Day grossers of 2025: Chhaava – Rs. 33.10 cr War 2 – Rs. 29.00 cr Sikandar – Rs. 27.50 cr Thamma – Rs. 25.11 cr Housefull 5 – Rs. 24.35 cr Saiyaara – Rs. 22.00 cr Raid 2 – Rs. 19.71 cr Kantara: A Legend – Chapter 1 – Rs. 18.50 cr Sky Force – Rs. 15.30 cr Baaghi 4 – Rs. 13.20 cr

This Diwali, Ayushmann Khurrana and Maddock Films have set the box office ablaze with Thamma, which has registered an outstanding opening day collection of Rs. 25.11 crore. With this figure, Thamma confidently claims its place as the second-highest opening day performer in the Maddock Horror Comedy Universe (MHCU), trailing only the franchise juggernaut Stree 2, which soared to an unmatched Rs. 55.40 crore.

Thamma’s debut is all the more remarkable when put against the history of MHCU releases. The original Stree made a mark with Rs. 6.82 crore, Bhediya launched with Rs. 7.48 crore, and Munjya, another entrant to the universe, managed Rs. 4.21 crore on its first day.  What gives Thamma its rare edge is its achievement as a standalone film, introducing audiences to the Betaal legend without the groundwork or brand loyalty that powers a sequel like Stree 2. That it nearly quadrupled the openings of Stree, Bhediya, and Munjya signals a turning point for what festival audiences now seek out—originality, thrilling storytelling, and charismatic new heroes.

Maddock’s marketing and Ayushmann’s reputation for unique, genre-defining roles have clearly paid off, delivering not only a commercial triumph but re-shaping expectations for horror-comedy content. Trade watchers and box office analysts alike note that Thamma’s success spans across India’s East, West, North, and South, reflecting a nationwide appetite for fresh stories and cultural mythologies. Thamma stands as proof that, even amidst the excitement and proven crowd-pull of long-standing franchises, audiences respond in huge numbers to originality and innovation.

The film’s robust opening promises an exceptional extended holiday run, with producers and distributors keenly anticipating its cumulative weekend and week one totals. For Maddock Films, Thamma is not just a win—it’s a clear message. In modern Bollywood, unique concepts and risk-taking stars can transform genre pieces into festival mainstays.

With Thamma, the MHCU, already rich with hits, now moves forward with renewed momentum for unconventional blockbusters and for 2025, Diwali belonged to authentic storytelling and fresh cinematic energy. Going forward, with a six-day extended  festive weekend the business of the film is expected to see exponential growth with collections hovering between the Rs. 60-70 cr mark.

MHCU Opening Day collections at a glance: Stree 2 – Rs. 55.40 crore Thamma – Rs. 25.11 crore Bhediya – Rs. 7.48 crore Stree – Rs. 6.82 crore Munjya – Rs. 4.21 crore

It was predicted in this column that Thamma will take an opening of Rs. 25-30 crores on Tuesday, the big Diwali holiday. Well, this is exactly what happened as the film managed a very good start of Rs. 25.11 crores. A start on top of Rs. 20 crores was always on the cards and once the advance booking opened, a number close to Rs. 25 crores was there for the taking. Add to that the Diwali holiday and you know that spot booking will come into action as well as families venture out for celebrations and festivities.

As a result, the collections have come out to be quite positive and now it’s all about sustaining in & around these numbers for rest of the extended weekend till Sunday. Basically, the job is done for the film despite a very high budget for the star cast and positive reports imply that there is a lot of distance that this horror comedy offering would be able to cover in the open season ahead.

Of course, considering the fact that it’s Diwali and there is a very wide release that the film managed to get, one could well have placed a bet on Rs. 30-35 crores as well. However, one needs to also take into consideration the fact that the film doesn’t feature any of the top superstars and for Ayushmann Khurrana too, this is more than double of his biggest opener till date. The actor had a huge success ratio for multiplex films pre-pandemic and while post-pandemic he did score with Dream Girl 2, it’s Thamma which is his first truly all-India Bollywood biggie. He is now set for his first Rs. 200 Crore Club superhit and that’s a major jump start indeed.

The Diwali 2025 release, Thamma has proved to be a box-office dhamaka as the Maddock Horror Comedy Universe film has surpassed all expectations on the opening day as per early estimates. According to our tracking, the Dinesh Vijan produced film starring Ayushmann Khurrana and Rashmika Mandanna has opened in the range of Rs. 24 crores to Rs. 26 crores, which is about 30 percent higher than the pre-release expectations.

The film has taken a start all across the board - be it single screens or multiplexes - and the collections were on the rise on a show-to-show basis, indicating a strong word of mouth among the cinema-going audience. The film yet again showcases the strength of the horror comedy universe, and this establishes it as one of the most successful universes of Indian cinema.

The film has emerged as the #1 opener to date for Ayushmann Khurrana, and this has come despite a clash with another film - Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat. The reports are plus, which means that a Rs. 100 crore plus weekend (Tuesday to Sunday) is on cards for this horror comedy.

Thamma is directed by Aditya Sarpotdar and produced by Dinesh Vijan and Amar Kaushik

In a regular year, one wouldn’t have fathomed Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat to find a Diwali release for itself. After all, the big day is dominated by the likes of Akshay Kumar, Ajay Devgn, Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan, and it was only last year when Kartik Aaryan made inroads and delivered a huge success with Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3. Now, this year, the scale is lesser for both the new releases. Neither is Thamma is an event film, nor is Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat, a film that one associates with a holiday arrival.

Still, here they are, with the big guns making way for the next in line to make the best of the big holiday season ahead and do something good for Bollywood and its box office business. While Thamma is a bigger film, it isn’t the kind that one sees releasing in 4000-5000 screens, which means Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat has eventually earned good showcasing for itself after all the brouhaha that was being evidenced till a couple of days back.

On a regular Friday, this Milap Zaveri directed romantic drama would have seen an opening day of Rs. 5-6 crores. However, superhit music as well as the fact that it has managed good hype for itself due to Diwali clash means that the advance booking is heading well towards 35-40K sales at the PIC. This would be good enough to secure an opening day of Rs. 8 crores with an outside chance of stepping into a double digit zone as well.

There may not be fireworks this Diwali with no superstar bringing his film on the festive occasion. Still, with Thamma belonging to horror comedy universe, there is reasonable buzz around it. The hype may not be strong but there is awareness and that should be good enough for the film to take a good start.

Moreover, this is also a new character inclusion in the universe, unlike Stree, which is established, and Bhediya and Munjya, which will have much bigger opening than their predecessors when their second part comes. In this case, Thamma will start on its own accord with the universe factor propelling it to a good extent and then the big holiday doing its bit.

As a result, though as a standalone film Thamma would have started in Rs. 15-18 crores range with Ayushmann Khurrana working for the multiplex audience and Rashmika Mandana leveraging her popularity at the single screens as well, aforementioned factors mean that a start of Rs. 20 crores is on the cards. Advance booking is progressing well towards 1 lakh mark and then spot booking will further ensure good footfalls, especially in the evening and night shows.

After scoring (extended) first week of Rs. 44 crores, Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari had a second weekend of Rs. 10.33 crores. The fact that second Friday was slightly higher than Thursday allowed the film to have some sort of a trajectory over the weekend gone by and that has allowed it to cross the Rs. 50 crores mark.

The film moved up slightly over its Saturday collections and ended up bringing in Rs. 4.08 crores on Sunday. What the Shashank Khaitan directed romcom would be looking for now is to stay in the vicinity of Rs. 1.50 crore on Monday as that would be less than 50% drop when compared to Friday. Looking at the trending so far, this should be possible as well, more so since there is no competition other than Kantara: Chapter 1 and that too is primarily in Maharashtra as in other places it’s more or less on par or just slightly behind.

The Varun Dhawan and Janhvi Kapoor starrer has now collected Rs. 54.33 crores and it would now be aiming to close its second week at Rs. 60 crores. The Karan Johar film has no competition in the third weekend as well.

Note: All collections as per various box office sources

It’s a 50 for Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari! After being in theatres for 10 days, the Karan Johar production has now scored a half century at the box office. The film did open well on the national holiday of Dusshehra and Gandhi Jayanti, and now in its second weekend it’s finding an audience for itself at the key urban centres.

All of that has ensured that collections grew from Friday (Rs. 2.50 crores) to Saturday (Rs. 3.75 crores), and that’s a good sign because Sunday is yet to come which will be the best day of its run in the second week. That should amp up the overall total further post which the countdown begins for its next 10 days before Diwali releases arrive.

Standing at Rs. 50.25 crores, this is now second consecutive half century for Janhvi Kapoor after Param Sundari. Of course, she too would be aiming for a Rs. 100 Crore Club success soon but then romcoms have their own limitations, ever since pandemic, and hence the benchmark is for the numbers to be in the vicinity of Rs. 75 crores.

Note: All collections as per various box office sources

Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari held quite well on its second Friday with Rs. 2.50 cr coming in. One waited to see if that would happen indeed since there was no new notable release this weekend. Still, despite no competition, it’s always a wait-n-watch scenario since anything can happen in today’s box office scenario and hence this kind of hold on Friday was very much required.

The Varun Dhawan and Janhvi Kapoor led romcom ended up collecting Rs. 2.50 crores and now there would certainly be good growth evidenced today. The film would be aiming to go past the Rs. 3.50 crores mark and once that happens then tomorrow too a little better number may come in which means it has a shot at Rs. 10 crores+ weekend.

So far, the Shashank Khaitan directed film has collected Rs. 46.50 crores and by the time the second weekend would be through, it would be close to Rs. 55 crores mark. Tho also means that a lifetime in the vicinity of Rs. 65 crores is there for the taking, as a result of which the Karan Johar production would comfortably go past the last romcom seen at the big screen, Param Sundari.

Note: All collections as per various box office sources

Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari had a first week on the lower side as it collected Rs. 44 crores at the box office. It was 8 days extended week since the film had released on Thursday October 2. Moreover, it was also a major holiday of Dusshehra and Gandhi Jayanti, hence it did have advantage of that as well at least on the first day.

On the other hand, it was also impacted by Kantara: Chapter 1 (Hindi) which scored a huge century in its first seven days itself. If not for this competition - as a result of which it also had to get into screen and shows sharing mode - the collections would certainly have looked better. The film is also finding its audience in big cities and metros due to its inherent appeal which catered to urban audience.

The Shashank Khaitan directed romcom deserved to cover a larger distance though. There are 10-11 open days ahead of it where the only competition will stay on to be Kantara: Chapter 1 (Hindi). With no new major release today and then next Friday, the Karan Johar production is expected to cross Rs. 60 crores in its lifetime.

Note: All collections as per various box office sources

The success streak of South Indian cinema in the Hindi belt continues as Kantara: Chapter 1 has now become the second highest Hindi dubbed release of 2025 to cross the coveted Rs. 100 crore mark, collecting an impressive Rs. 103.10 crore in its Hindi version. Directed by Rishab Shetty, the mythological action-drama has emerged as one of the most organically celebrated films of the year, following in the footsteps of Harman Baweja’s animated blockbuster Mahavatar Narsimha (Rs. 182.83 crore), which currently holds the top spot among Hindi dubbed releases of 2025.

While Mahavatar Narsimha represented a landmark for Indian animation, Kantara: Chapter 1 marks another triumph for storytelling rooted in folklore and tradition. With its intense narrative, spiritual symbolism, and Shetty’s compelling screen presence, the film has resonated strongly with audiences across demographics. Its Hindi run has been particularly noteworthy, sustaining excellent footfalls well beyond the opening week — a rarity in today’s fast-paced box office landscape.

Trade experts attribute the film’s steady rise to its powerful word-of-mouth and emotional appeal. Without relying on large-scale promotions or aggressive marketing, Kantara: Chapter 1 managed to pull audiences into theatres through sheer curiosity and authenticity. The result: the film now joins a rare club of South-origin dubbed hits that have crossed Rs. 100 crore in Hindi, standing tall alongside massive franchise titles like Pushpa: The Rise, Salaar: Part 1 – Ceasefire, and RRR.

The success also underlines the shifting preferences of Hindi audiences, who are embracing regional cinema that offers deeper narratives and cultural resonance. Much like the original Kantara (2022), this chapter thrives on its rootedness, combining mysticism and emotion in a way that connects beyond linguistic boundaries.

With Kantara: Chapter 1 crossing Rs. 100 crore, and Mahavatar Narsimha leading the Hindi dubbed box office for 2025, the year has so far been a strong one for non-Hindi content that emphasizes originality and vision over conventional Bollywood formulas.

As it continues its theatrical journey, Kantara: Chapter 1 not only strengthens the foothold of Kannada cinema in the pan-India market but also reinforces Rishab Shetty’s reputation as a storyteller who can blend devotion, drama, and cinematic scale seamlessly.

Rs. 100 cr Hindi Dubbed grossers of 2025:

Mahavatar Narsimha - Rs. 182.83 cr Kantara: A Legend Chapter - 1 - Rs. 103.10 cr

The remarkable box office journey of Kantara: Chapter 1 continues to underline the growing power of regional storytelling in the pan-India space. The Rishab Shetty directorial has officially crossed the coveted ₹100 crore mark in its Hindi version, earning an impressive Rs. 103.10 crore and securing its position as the 12th highest-grossing Hindi dubbed film of all time.

This milestone firmly places Kantara: Chapter 1 in an elite league of South-origin blockbusters that have managed to conquer the Hindi market — a list dominated by films such as Pushpa 2: The Rule (Rs. 830.10 crore), Baahubali 2: The Conclusion (Rs. 510.99 crore), KGF – Chapter 2 (Rs. 434.70 crore), Kalki 2898 AD (Rs. 294.25 crore), and RRR (Rs. 274.31 crore).

While those titles rode on massive nationwide campaigns and mega-budget scale, Kantara: Chapter 1 has achieved this feat on the strength of its rooted storytelling, word-of-mouth publicity, and organic audience pull — much like its predecessor Kantara (2022), which became a cultural phenomenon. Its Hindi dubbed collections reflect the growing appetite of northern audiences for authentic regional narratives delivered with cinematic scale and emotional depth.

The Rs. 100 crore milestone also cements Kantara: Chapter 1’s standing alongside other big-ticket dubbed successes such as 2.0 (Rs. 189.55 crore), Mahavatar Narsimha (Rs. 182.83 crore), Salaar: Part 1 – Ceasefire (Rs. 153.84 crore), Saaho (Rs. 142.95 crore), Baahubali: The Beginning (₹118.70 crore), and Pushpa: The Rise – Part 1 (Rs. 108.26 crore).

For a film that thrives on mythology, tradition, and mysticism rather than star power or heavy VFX, Kantara: Chapter 1’s Hindi success reiterates a defining trend of the past few years: content now transcends language. It’s proof that cinematic authenticity can generate the same box office energy as spectacle-driven event films.

Trade experts credit Rishab Shetty’s direction and performance for grounding the narrative in strong cultural ethos while still appealing to a national audience. The film’s Hindi business remained remarkably steady even after its initial surge, benefitting from repeat viewership in multiplexes and strong retention across Tier 2 and Tier 3 centres.

With this latest milestone, Kantara: Chapter 1 not only expands the commercial footprint of the franchise but also reaffirms the rise of Kannada cinema in the Hindi-speaking belt. As it continues its theatrical run, the film joins a rare bracket of dubbed releases to have crossed Rs. 100 crore, a benchmark that once belonged exclusively to pan-India giants from Telugu and Tamil industries.

Highest Hindi Dubbed Grossers at a glance:

Pushpa 2 - The Rule - Rs. 830.10 cr Baahubali 2 - The Conclusion - Rs. 510.99 cr KGF - Chapter 2 - Rs. 434.70 cr Kalki 2898 AD - Rs. 294.25 cr RRR - Rs. 274.31 cr 2.0 - Rs. 189.55 cr Mahavatar Narsimha - Rs. 182.83 cr Salaar: Part 1 - Ceasefire - rs. 153.84 cr Saaho - Rs. 142.95 cr Bahubali - The Beginning - Rs. 118.7 cr Pushpa: The Rise - Part 1 - Rs. 108.26 cr Kantara: A Legend Chapter - 1 - Rs. 103.10 cr

It was Blockbuster Tuesday yesterday, which means tickets were available at a lower price for all the films. But Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari still remained on the lower side and ended up bringing in Rs. 3.60 crores.

This is the trajectory of practically all the films currently when Monday drop is more than what it used to be before Blockbuster Tuesdays came into existence. There is also this Wednesday drop that usually comes in.

The romcom has now collected Rs. 38.97 crores and the film will have an extended first week in the range of Rs. 44-45 crores. It has a couple of open weeks ahead and it will be interesting to see if the overall numbers do cross Rs. 65 crores mark. The coming weekend and then the next can be beneficial for the film in some way.

Produced by Karan Johar’s Dharma Production and directed by Shashank Khaitan, Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari has an ensemble cast of Varun Dhawan, Janhvi Kapoor, Sanya Malhotra and Rohit Saraf.

Note: All collections as per various box office sources

On Thursday, Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari had opened at Rs. 10.11 crores. It then saw a dip on Friday, which was a working day. Following this, the film had some growth in numbers on Saturday (Rs. 7.80 crores) and Sunday (Rs. 8.20 crores) but it hasn’t been substantial enough.

Now, all eyes are on how does the film hold on Monday. Today, there is BOGO offer and tomorrow there will be Blockbuster Tuesday, which means collections will go up. Meanwhile, though Kantara: Chapter 1 has a different audience base for it, at the end of the day it’s huge competition as well as it has netted Rs. 75 crores already in its Hindi version.

Next up, the Varun Dhawan and Janhvi Kapoor fronted film would be aiming to go past the Rs. 50 crores mark soon and then collect some more for next couple of weeks till Diwali releases arrive. Janhvi Kapoor’s last release Param Sundari did a lifetime business of Rs. 53.25 crores. Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari will, at least, fare better than that.

Note: All collections as per various box office sources

After seeing a dip in collections on Friday, Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari saw growth on Saturday as Rs. 7.80 crores came in. This was on the cards as well since the Karan Johar production is pretty much a Saturday film and romcoms like these tend to grow over the weekend.

One now waits to see how Sunday turns out to be and adds to the extended four-day weekend. Post that, it would be all about how it holds during the weekdays. The Varun Dhawan and Janhvi Kapoor led film is running at a decent count of screens and shows, though it deserved better showcasing due to credentials involved and also the fact that Kantara: Chapter 1 isn’t running riot either.

Nonetheless, things are where they are and now the three day collections stand at Rs. 23.92 crores. The film will comfortably go past the Rs. 30 crores mark by tonight and would find itself around Rs. 33 crores mark.

Note: All collections as per various box office sources

On its opening day, Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari collected Rs. 10.11 crores. While Gandhi Jayanti and Dusshehra holiday helped it, competition with Kantara: Chapter 1 (Hindi) neutralised it. With Friday being a working day, the collections were bound to come down and that’s what happened as well.

With reduced footfalls, the Varun Dhawan and Janhvi Kapoor starrer ended up collecting Rs. 6.01 crores at the box office. Yes, something around Rs. 7 crores would have been even better but then there is a weekend ahead of it, which means collections are bound to go up. Moreover, there is this whole open period right till Diwali arrivals too that gives the film a lot of space to keep collecting as long as word of mouth is decent to good.

In its first two days, the film has now collected Rs. 16.12 crores and while there would be a jump in collections seen today, it would have to be seen that how big does it turn out to be. The target would be an extended weekend of Rs. 40 crores and as long as that comes, there are reasonable numbers that one can expect in weekdays to come too.

Note: All collections as per various box office sources

Ever since the trailer of the film was out, it was expected that Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari will open in Rs. 9-10 crores range. After all, urban romcoms have their own target audience, which typically grows over the weekend. In fact, Varun Dhawan, Shashank Khaitan and Dharma Productions’ own Badrinath Ki Dulhania (Rs. 12.25 crores) and Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania (Rs. 9.02 crores) has opened on the same lines, while an exception is Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar (Rs. 15.73 crores). Another one’s that come close though are Befikre (Rs. 10.36 crores) and Pati Patni Aur Woh (Rs. 9.10 crores).

Yes, due to arrival on Dusshehra and Gandhi Jayanti holiday, one could well have expected a hike of around 20%-30% in collections. The Varun Dhawan and Janhvi Kapoor led film could well have managed that as well but then Kantara: Chapter 1 came and, while it took away a huge share of screens and shows, there was good audience footfalls that got diverted there as well, due to which the holiday advantage was evened out.

Hence, what Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari has eventually managed is good enough as well, what with Rs. 10.11 crores being registered at the box office. A double digit number has its own charm and the film will now benefit from the extended weekend. Today being a working day, there would be a dip in collections, but then tomorrow and day after there would be jumps seen, which should result in comfortable double digit days.

Note: All collections as per various box office sources

After having a stable Monday when Rs. 2.25 crores came in, Jolly LLB 3 earned the same on Blockbuster Tuesday when the ticket prices were lesser as it ended up bringing Rs. 2.25 crores on that day.

The film will further collect around Rs. 2 crores today before the new releases Kantara: Chapter 1 and Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari take over the screens from tomorrow. It is left to be seen how much the film gets affected by the new releases. Jolly LLB 3 has so far collected Rs. 92.85 crores and by tomorrow it would be little under Rs. 95 crores.

From there on, it will be interesting to see when it reaches the three figure mark. If this happens, it will be a box office success and yet another century for Akshay Kumar in 2025.

Directed by Subhash Kapoor, Jolly LLB 3 also stars Arshad Warsi, Saurabh Shukla, Seema Biswas and Gajraj Rao in pivotal roles. The first two films in the franchise turned out to be success stories.

Note: All collections as per various box office sources

Jolly LLB 3 had a decent Sunday as yet again, Rs. 6.50 crores came in. The film saw a jump on Saturday when collections had moved up to Rs. 6.75 crores and expectations from Sunday were on the same lines as well. In fact, if not for the India-Pakistan Asia Cup Final match, the collections would have comfortably crossed the Rs. 7 crores mark and perhaps even had a shot at Rs. 8 crores. However, just like last Sunday when the footfalls were impacted in the evening and night shows due to the match, same held true for this weekend as well.

Nonetheless, the film is staying steady in its quest to hit Rs. 100 crores eventually. Currently, it stands at Rs. 91 crores and over Rs. 5 crores will comfortably come between Monday to Wednesday. Post that, new releases Kantara and Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari will take over the screens from Thursday onwards but still the holiday season will ensure that there would be steady footfalls for Jolly LLB 3.

Even if the film keeps moving ahead at a steady pace, it will enter the Rs. 100 Crore Club before the third weekend comes to a close. Post that too, collections will keep trickling till Diwali and that will help it gain some bonus numbers before its theatrical run concludes.

Note: All collections as per various box office sources

After collecting Rs. 4 crores on Thursday, all eyes were on whether Friday would maintain similar collections too without any drop. That was required as well for Jolly LLB 3 to stay in contention for an entry into the Rs. 100 Crore Club. Thankfully, that turned out to be the case as the numbers were pretty much the same on Friday with Rs. 3.75 crores coming in.

With no major Bollywood release and arrivals from other languages (Telugu, Japanese) not quite emerging as any sort of competition, Jolly LLB 3 had a ground wide open for it and audiences grabbed it as well. What needs to be seen is the kind of jump that takes place today. As long as more than Rs. 6 crores come in today, a Rs. 100 crores total is well in sight. Tomorrow, the film won’t see much of a growth due to India-Pakistan finals which will keep audiences busy from evening onwards. Hence all the magic needs to happen today.

So far, the film has collected Rs. 77.75 crores and the aim for the Akshay Kumar, Arshad Warsi and Saurabh Shukla starrer would be to go past the Rs. 90 crores mark before the weekdays kickstart. From there then, the journey to collect Rs. 10 crores and more would become comfortable for the film.

Note: All collections as per various box office sources

Jolly LLB 3 did well in its first week as Rs. 74 crores* came in. The film had scored a comfortable half century in the first week and that ensured that Rs. 70 crores mark was crossed by the time the first week came to a close. In fact, a few extra crores have come in as well which positions it well for ultimately hitting a century.

Weekend was quite good for the Akshay Kumar and Arshad Warsi starrer as Rs. 20 crores mark was breached on Saturday as well as Sunday. At that point in time it seemed like the first week would actually aim for a number around Rs. 80 crores. However, while the film did grow well on Blockbuster Tuesday with deducted ticket rates, rest of the days were decent enough. Moreover, since the film is primarily finding audiences at key multiplexes, this is where growth would be evidenced again in the second weekend.

There is no competition for the film this week as well, though it would be a shortened one since Sunny Sanskaari Ki Tulsi Kumari and Kantara: Chapter One arrive on Thursday itself. That means audiences will have a lot more choices available. However, as long as today the film can collect similar to yesterday and then tomorrow’s jump is around 70%-80%, it will stay on board to enter the Rs. 100 Crore Club.

*Estimates

Note: All collections as per various box office sources

After bringing in Rs. 5.75 crores on Monday, Jolly LLB 3 saw some growth on Tuesday as Rs. 6.50 crores came in. With reduced ticket prices coming into picture, increase in footfalls was always on the cards and that has enabled the numbers to go past Rs. 6 crores mark.

At one point in time it did seem like Rs. 7 crores were on the cards as well, since evening and night shows were quite good. However, the morning and afternoon shows were just about decent which balanced out the overall numbers. The film would now be ailing to bring in Rs. 8-10 crores more between today and tomorrow so that it’s all set for the second weekend.

The Akshay Kumar and Arshad Warsi film has now collected Rs. 65.75 crores so far and the first week would be in the vicinity of Rs. 75 crores. An entry into the Rs. 100 Crore Club is a given for the film and now it has to be seen where does it eventually land in weeks to come.

Note: All collections as per various box office sources

After scoring a comfortable half century over the weekend, Jolly LLB 3 had a decent Monday as Rs. 5.50 crores came in. The drop from Friday (Rs. 12.50 crores) is just a little more than 50% and that’s manageable because nowadays due to Blockbuster Tuesday offer, Mondays are a bit lower and then Tuesdays see a surge again.

That’s what will happen today and the collections are all set to go up, hence balancing it out between Monday and Tuesday. Post that, regular Wednesday and Thursday will take it through. The good part is that it’s an open week ahead and due to its good multiplex appeal, the film will have a healthy second weekend that will comfortably take it past the Rs. 100 crores mark.

The Akshay Kumar, Arshad Warsi and Saurabh Shukla starrer currently stands at Rs. 59 crores and while Rs. 75 crores mark will be crossed by the close of first week, a couple of extra crores may come in as well. The Subhash Kapoor directed film is a success story for sure and what remains to be seen is how big does it turn out to be in the final run.

Note: All collections as per various box office sources

Jolly LB 3 has done quite well over the weekend. After seeing an opening of Rs. 12.50 crores and then growing well on Saturday (Rs. 20 crores), it consolidated on Sunday with Rs. 21 crores coming in. The trajectory of the film is positive which means it would definitely enjoy a run.

The film has now scored a half century with Rs. 53.50 crores mark being hit. Considering the fact that the film has been made at controlled costs, soon it would be registering profits from theatrical business as well. In fact, the comparison here would be with Akshay Kumar’s Jolly LLB 2 and the film is on track to find itself on the same lines at the end of its run.

The film should find itself in the Rs. 100 Crore Club in the coming weekend itself which means it would be one of the rare franchises to stay alive and then move into the fourth instalment as well. Coming together of the trio of Akshay Kumar, Arshad Warsi and Saurabh Shukla has played out well and rest assured, director Subhash Kapoor would be taking this franchise forward with them.

Note: All collections as per various box office sources

After taking an opening of Rs. 12.50 crores, Jolly LLB 3 grew well on Saturday as Rs. 20 crores came in. This was the kind of growth that was on the cards as well since the word of mouth for the film has been positive. Also, audiences have been waiting for a clean entertainer and this one provides it in abundance.

Trajectory of the film is even better than Jolly LLB 2. That film had opened at Rs. 13.20 crores, and then collected Rs. 17.31 crores on Saturday. Post that, on Sunday it had brought in Rs. 19.95 crores, hence resulting in a weekend of Rs. 50.46 crores. Now, Jolly LLB 3 should do far better as it’s set for Rs. 55 crores+ weekend, what with Rs. 32.50 crores already in its kitty.

There is no competition around it since Hollywood film The Conjuring: Last Rites has run its time, and Japanese anime film Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle is also in its second week and exhausted its target audience. There is nothing from Bollywood either which is posing any sort of threat, which means this Akshay Kumar and Arshad Warsi starrer has a field wide open to keep consolidating itself for a couple of weeks.

Note: All collections as per various box office sources

Jolly LLB 3 is recording a winning run at the box office in India. After a healthy start of Rs. 12.5 crores on Friday, the Akshay Kumar and Arshad Warsi film has jumped by approx. 55 percent on the second day to collect around the Rs. 19 crores to Rs. 20 crores mark. With this, the two-day total of Jolly LLB 3 stands at Rs. 33 crores, and the movie is set to collect more than Rs. 50 crores in its opening weekend.

The jump is among the biggest of the year for a film that has opened in double digits, and this has happened due to strong audience word of mouth. Jolly LLB 3 is the third film of the franchise and will continue the success streak as director Subhash Kapoor has definitely scored a hat-trick at the box office. The heartening side for Jolly LLB 3 is the fact that the business has gone up in the mass belts too, where the film was low on the first day. The jump in single screens is also a plus sign, indicating a big run on the weekdays. The film will surely enter the Rs. 100 crore club and emerge as a Bonafide box office hit. The costs are in control, which makes it a money spinner for producers.

It was predicted in this column that Jolly LLB 3 will open in Rs. 13-15 crores. This was before the VPF issue derailed advance booking plans for more than a day, which resulted in at least a loss of Rs. 1-2 crore. Considering that, the film still managed to pull through well on the basis of spot booking and as a result ended up bringing in Rs. 12.50 crores. Now, if not for the advance booking issue, the film could well have collected Rs. 13-14 crores.

Nonetheless, in the bigger scheme of things, this doesn’t really matter because the film has earned all around positive reviews already. Also, the audience word of mouth is absolutely positive too, which means there is very good growth on the cards today. Around Rs. 16-17 crores should come in today, which means a weekend of around Rs. 48-50 crores will be on the cards.

Akshay Kumar has now delivered fourth film in a row this year, which has taken an opening and is pretty much in the thick of things. Conversations around over-exposure are out of the window as well as not just has he played different characters in Sky Force, Kesari: Chapter 2, Housefull 5 and Jolly LLB 3, he has also won loads of appreciation for his performance. Box office returns are coming as well and Jolly LLB 3 is on track to enter Rs. 100 Crore Club.

Note: All collections as per various box office sources

After captivating audiences with Jolly LLB and its sequel, the dynamic duo of Akshay Kumar and Arshad Warsi have returned to the courtroom comedy space with Jolly LLB 3, and the verdict is crystal clear - the film has opened on a promising note at the box office!

As per early trade estimates, the much-anticipated entertainer has clocked in a robust Rs. 12-13 crore on Day 1. While the morning shows hinted at a respectable opening in the Rs. 10 crore vicinity, the film picked up remarkable momentum by evening, thanks to glowing word-of-mouth and strong family turnout, resulting in solid occupancy during the late-night shows.

The third instalment in the franchise is poised for a sharp upward trajectory over the weekend. With its clean humour and family-friendly narrative, Jolly LLB 3 is perfectly positioned to witness a significant surge in collections on Saturday and Sunday. The positive chatter surrounding the film is already translating into footfalls, suggesting a spectacular run ahead.

With late-night numbers still trickling in, the final Day 1 figure might just inch a notch higher.

This Friday sees the release of Akshay Kumar and Arshad Warsi’s Jolly LLB 3. Both Jolly LLB and Jolly LLB 2 were hits and now expectations are that Jolly LLB 3 will also follow suit. A mid-city film has its own charm and also a higher reach when a superstar leads from the front, as seen in Akshay’s earlier films like PadMan and Toilet-Ek Prem Katha as well. While those were out and out social films, Jolly LLB 3 has a blend of humour and drama with farmers protest as its backdrop.

There is good equity that the core theme of the film has built, and the subject better has always carried something which is topical and relevant. Director Subhash Kapoor has succeeded in giving a consistent look and feel to each of the three instalments and that’s what expected to bring on audiences for Jolly LLB 3 too which brings back Amrita Rao and Huma Qureshi from the first two parts.

Teaser and trailer of the film have worked and that ensures a good start for the film. Jolly LLB 2 had taken a start of Rs. 13.20 crores and now Jolly LLB 3 too should open in a similar range of Rs. 13-15 crores. As is the trend in last one year or so, Saturday jumps are really huge when a film is liked by the audience and that’s something that Jolly LLB 3 would be ailing for as well with all eyes on Sunday to cross Rs. 20 crores mark.

Baaghi 4 stayed in double digits on Saturday as Rs. 11.34 crores came in. The film had seen Rs. 13.20 crores on Friday. What the Tiger Shroff starrer needs is an added push today as well so that the weekdays are set well.

Action films anyways tend to be front loaded on the weekends which means a lot needs to come right now before the weekdays kickstart. Moreover, since the second weekend is free, there would be yet another 3-day period when the film can score well all over again.

So far, the film has collected Rs. 24.54 crores and with some more push from here, a weekend of Rs. 37-38 crores can be scored. It would set a platform for this Sajid Nadiadwala film to aim for a first week score of around Rs. 55-60 crores. However, for all of that to happen, momentum gathered today and tomorrow would be of utmost importance.

Note: All collections as per various box office sources

Baaghi 4 has taken a good opening at the box office. The signs were there when the teaser was out and at that point in time, anything around Rs. 8 crores seemed possible. Then came the trailer and there were good indications of a double digit opening. However, it was the advance booking trend that not just sealed the deal for an opening of more than Rs. 10 crores but also took it into a zone where Rs. 12-14 crores seemed possible.

This is what happened as well as Rs. 13.20 crores came in. This is a good start for the film as first and foremost it’s an A certificate film and secondly, the kind of violence which is there in it, it’s primarily catering to hardcore masses. Moreover, Tiger Shroff is back after a hiatus as a solo lead and hence the need of the hour was for at least a reasonably good opening to come in so that momentum can be built over rest of the weekend.

This is what this Sajid Nadiadwala franchise would be aiming for as well with today and tomorrow expected to grow further. While it’s a given that the weekend numbers will cross Rs. 40 crores mark, anything around Rs. 45 crores would be promising. This one is a biggie and with an open Friday ahead, good word of mouth will ensure that it continues to collect uninterrupted for two weeks.

Note: All collections as per various box office sources

Mohit Suri’s Saiyaara is rewriting the rules of box office success. The romantic action drama, starring newcomers Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda, has officially collected a staggering Rs. 576.21 crore at the worldwide box office, cementing its place as one of the year’s biggest blockbusters.

The film’s India performance has been nothing short of extraordinary. Saiyaara has amassed Rs. 337.20 crore nett domestically, translating into a gross collection of Rs. 408.48 crore. Beyond home turf, the film’s international appeal has also been remarkable, with overseas markets contributing Rs. 167.73 crore to its overall tally. Together, these figures have propelled the film to its monumental worldwide gross of Rs. 576.21 crore.

Trade experts attribute the film’s triumph to its strong emotional core, soaring music, and the palpable chemistry between its lead pair. For Ahaan Panday, Saiyaara has proven to be a career-defining debut, with critics and audiences praising his intense screen presence and natural charisma. Aneet Padda, too, has earned accolades for her nuanced performance, which has struck a chord with audiences across demographics.

What makes Saiyaara’s box office journey even more impressive is its consistency across multiple viewing circuits. In India, the film dominated multiplexes in metros while also registering impressive footfalls in single screens across Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities. Overseas, Saiyaara resonated particularly well in the Middle East, North America, and the UK, regions that traditionally respond strongly to Bollywood’s mix of music, romance, and drama.

The soundtrack has also played a pivotal role in the film’s success. Composers Mithoon and Tanishk Bagchi delivered a collection of songs that not only dominated Indian charts but also found popularity abroad, enhancing the film’s cross-border appeal. Tracks like Toote Dil Ki Saiyaara and Raakh Se Roshni continue to trend on streaming platforms, further fuelling audience interest in the movie.

Director Mohit Suri, long celebrated for his ability to merge soulful storytelling with stylish action, has once again struck gold. With Saiyaara, he has crafted a narrative that balances intensity with relatability — an element that has resonated with audiences worldwide.

With its Rs. 576.21 crore global haul, Saiyaara is not just a hit — it is a phenomenon that has catapulted its young stars into the spotlight and reaffirmed Bollywood’s ability to deliver cinematic spectacles that connect across borders. As the film continues its theatrical run, all eyes are now on whether Saiyaara can inch closer to the elite Rs. 600 crore mark worldwide.

Saiyaara Worldwide Box Office at a glance: India box office Nett: Rs. 337.20 cr. India box office Gross: Rs. 408.48 cr. Overseas Gross: Rs. 167.73 cr. Worldwide Gross: Rs. 576.21 cr.

After seeing a good rise in collections on Blockbuster Tuesday when deducted ticket rates led to Rs. 4.31 crores coming at the box office, Param Sundari dropped on Wednesday. The collections went below Rs. 3 crores mark as Rs. 2.87 crores came in. While this is certainly a steep drop when compared to Tuesday, if one looks at Monday numbers of Rs. 3.32 crores then this is a par score as it’s an expected trajectory,

As such, Monday to Wednesday average is Rs. 3.50 crores and this is fine if one looks at Friday which had brought in Rs. 7.37 crores. Compared to that, the drop is just a little over 50% and to maintain this average till Wednesday brings the film into a decent zone. What Param Sundari would be looking at is to not drop any more than 10%-15% today, so that overall week looks fine.

So far, the film has collected Rs. 38.98 crores and now the first week will stand around Rs. 41 crores mark. There is a substantial reduction in shows from tomorrow onwards due to the arrival of Baaghi 4, The Conjuring: Last Rites and The Bengal Files. This would have a telling on the film because if not for competition, the film was on track to go past the Rs. 60 crores mark. For now, it should still manage Rs. 55 crores lifetime for itself and then post that whatever more comes in would be added bonus.

Note: All collections as per various box office sources

The Conjuring has emerged as a crowd-pulling series worldwide and India is no exception. The Conjuring: Last Rites is all set to release this Friday, September 5, and the response to the advance booking in India has been phenomenal. It has brought relief to the exhibitors after a not-so-great August.

As of 6:00 pm on September 3, The Conjuring: Last Rites has sold 85,000 tickets in the national chains, that is, PVR, Inox and Cinepolis. This is more than the tickets sold by Barbie (2023; 80,000 tickets) and at par with the advance booking of Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023; 85,000 tickets). Looking at the trends, the advance will pick up tomorrow and there’ll also be heavy spot booking on the day of release, especially in mass centres, where this series has found an audience.

As a result, it won’t be wrong to say that The Conjuring: Last Rites will sell 1 lakh tickets by Thursday night. Once that happens, it’ll cross the advance sales of Fast X (2023), which sold around 1 lakh tickets in advance and opened at Rs. 11.90 crores. In other words, the horror saga is set for a double-digit opening. Warner Bros has also organized paid-previews at around 11:30 pm and 11:59 pm on Thursday, September 4. The response to it has been encouraging as well. In fact, the collections of paid previews and day 1 can be as high as Rs. 13-14 crores; a clearer picture would emerge as the release day nears.

If the word of mouth is positive, The Conjuring: Last Rites will record a strong weekend. The collections would be huge on Tuesday, when tickets would be sold at discounted rates. With no major competition from other Hollywood films, it can have a long run and possibly even cross the Rs. 100 crores mark. It’ll be the first Hollywood horror film to achieve this feat.

The trade is not surprised with such a response, as The Conjuring 2 (2016) collected Rs. 61.78 crores, which was quite commendable for its time. The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (2021), however, performed poorly as it had a delayed release in India due to the pandemic. By the time it hit cinemas in the country, many had seen it on pirated prints. The word of mouth also wasn’t favourable and moreover, the crucial state of Maharashtra was shut. As a result, it earned just Rs. 7.45 crores from 786 screens. It’s evident that the tepid response to that film hasn’t affected The Conjuring: Last Rites.

 The Conjuring: Last Rites is backed by Warner Bros and they are on a high this year. F1: The Movie crossed the Rs. 100 crores mark earlier this week, the first film of the studio to do so. The Conjuring: Last Rites could be the next one, if reports are on its side. Moreover, when it comes to horror films from Hollywood, Warner Bros is ahead by miles as all 6 highest Hollywood grossers in India belong to the reputed Hollywood production house. Interestingly, 4 of them belong to The Conjuring-The Nun-Annabelle Universe.

Recently, Final Destination Bloodlines, also backed by Warner Bros, broke the 9-year record of The Conjuring 2 and became the highest grossing Hollywood horror film in India. Looking at the response to The Conjuring: Last Rites’ advance, the record might be broken in a mere few months.

The highest-grossing horror films of Hollywood in India (Nett Figures)

1. Final Destination Bloodlines - Rs. 62.12 crores 2. The Conjuring 2 – Rs. 61.80 crores 3. Annabelle: Creation – Rs. 48.45 crores 4. The Nun – Rs. 47.65 crores 5. The Nun II – Rs. 44 crores 6. Evil Dead Rise - Rs. 36.50 crores