Siddhant Chaturvedi and Triptii Dimri’s new film, Dhadak 2, has opened to a modest start at the box office, earning Rs 3.35 crore on its first day.
A Modest Opening for Dhadak 2
The highly anticipated sequel, Dhadak 2, made its theatrical debut with an opening day collection of Rs 3.35 crore. This figure, while not entirely disappointing, falls short when compared to its predecessor.
The original Dhadak, released seven years ago and starring Ishaan Khatter and Janhvi Kapoor, had a much stronger opening, raking in Rs 8.7 crore net on its first day. That film went on to achieve a substantial Rs 74.19 crore net in India and Rs 113 crore worldwide.
Navigating a Crowded Box Office
Dhadak 2 enters a highly competitive cinematic landscape, battling several other major releases. It faces direct competition from films like Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda’s Saiyaara, which continues its strong run, and Ajay Devgn and Mrunal Thakur’s Son of Sardaar 2.
Other titles like Kingdom 2 and Fantastic Four are also vying for audience attention, further fragmenting the market. Saiyaara, in particular, poses a significant challenge, having already grossed over Rs 440 crore worldwide and expected to have another strong weekend.
Audience Reception and Regional Performance
On its opening day, Dhadak 2 saw an average occupancy rate of 22.85% across all shows. The morning and afternoon shows registered lower figures at 15.02% and 22.29%, respectively.
However, the evening and night shows showed some improvement, with occupancy rates of 22.03% and 32.07%. Regionally, the NCR area led with a 32.5% occupancy rate across 432 shows, while Mumbai followed with 22.75% across 339 shows.
Hopes for the Weekend Ahead
With such fierce competition, some filmmakers are already adjusting strategies. The makers of Son of Sardaar 2, for instance, have reportedly cut ticket prices by 50% to attract more viewers. Dhadak 2, directed by Shazia Iqbal and also featuring Saurabh Sachdeva, Vipin Sharma, and Manjiri Pupala, will be keenly watching its weekend numbers.
A strong performance over the next few days will be crucial for the film to secure more shows and maintain its presence in theatres.
- Dhadak 2 opened with Rs 3.35 crore, less than half of the original Dhadak’s first-day collection.
- The film faces stiff competition from blockbusters like Saiyaara, which has already crossed Rs 440 crore globally.
- Average occupancy on opening day was 22.85%, with evening shows performing better.
The coming weekend will be critical in determining Dhadak 2’s box office trajectory amidst the crowded release schedule.
