BY CHRISTA LINCY

If you have been following the buzz around Suriya's latest outing, Karuppu, the advance booking numbers suggest a project that is finding a solid footing ahead of its release. Directed by RJ Balaji and produced by Dream Warrior Pictures, the film has managed to secure a significant theatrical window. In a major move to accommodate the anticipated rush, the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister has approved special 9 AM shows for the first two days, May 14 and 15, giving the film a much-needed headstart in its home territory. While the advance numbers for Karuppu are promising, they are being measured against a very high bar set earlier this year. Currently, Parasakthi holds the record for the biggest opening day of the year in Tamil Nadu, having netted 12.50 crore on its first day across 3,603 shows. That translated to a domestic gross of 14.50 crore. For Karuppu to claim the top spot, it will need to leverage its higher show count of 4,384 and the approved special shows to bridge that gap. Surpassing the benchmark set by Parasakthi remains the primary challenge as the film heads into its release day. Looking at the domestic financial haul, Karuppu has already amassed approximately 3.00 crore in advance booking gross across India. When you factor in blocked seats, that figure stretches to 5.59 crore. The Tamil version is clearly doing the heavy lifting here, contributing 2.85 crore of that total. With 177,660 tickets already sold for the first day across 3,809 shows in the Tamil 2D format, the movie is entering the box office with a healthy reservoir of pre-release interest. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The regional distribution shows a strong preference in major hubs. Chennai remains the focal point, contributing 1.18 crore with a 29 percent occupancy rate across 718 shows. If we look at the broader Tamil Nadu landscape, the film has secured 2.35 crore in gross bookings with a 17 percent real occupancy. Neighboring markets are also chipping in, with Coimbatore adding 28.85 lakh and Bengaluru's Tamil version bringing in 24.31 lakh. Beyond the primary state, Kerala and Karnataka have added 20.89 lakh and 27.19 lakh respectively, ensuring the film has a balanced footprint across the South. While the Tamil version dominates, the Telugu market is also beginning to register. The aggregate Telugu 2D bookings stand at 14.38 lakh from 575 shows. A closer look at the Telugu-speaking regions reveals that Hyderabad is leading the pack with 6.73 lakh. Other contributors include Warangal at 54.29 thousand, Vijayawada at 39.15 thousand, and Vizag at 24.59 thousand. Though occupancy rates in these regions are currently modest—hovering around 6 percent in Hyderabad—the sheer number of cities, including Guntur, Karimnagar, and Mahbubnagar, indicates a wide release strategy that could see a boost once the early reviews are out. The digital footprint on BookMyShow has shown an aggressive upward curve over the last few days. Starting with 13.42 thousand tickets on May 10, the bookings jumped to 31.72 thousand on May 11, and then skyrocketed to 74.09 thousand by May 12. This brings the cumulative BMS sales to 119.23 thousand tickets. Even within the day, the pace is quick; between 1 PM and 2 PM today, the platform sold over 4.3 thousand tickets, contributing to a total of 22.34 thousand tickets sold since 7 AM this morning. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) To stay updated with the live trends and final numbers from the pre-sales period, you can check the full report here: Karuppu 2026 First Day Advance Booking Report. The national multiplex chains are also providing a steady stream of revenue. For the opening weekend, the cumulative ticket sales across PVR, INOX, and Cinepolis have reached a solid 84.5 thousand as of 3 pm on May 13. Breaking this down by day, the release day (Thursday) has booked 44.9 thousand tickets. Friday follows with 15.1 thousand, Saturday with 13.1 thousand, and Sunday with 11.4 thousand. Within these chains, PVR is the primary driver, accounting for over 31.8 thousand tickets for the opening day alone, reflecting a 30 percent occupancy rate in their screens. On the international front, the North American market is showing a more cautious start with total premiere advance sales standing at 18 thousand dollars, which is approximately 15.12 lakh in Indian currency. When you factor in the combined opening day bookings, the total North American tally reaches 32 thousand dollars, or about 26.88 lakh. Looking specifically at the USA premieres, the film has secured 6,717 dollars (around 5.64 lakh) from 468 tickets sold across 30 locations. While these figures have been somewhat affected by late premiere start times, the project still maintains a visible presence in major states like California and Texas as it prepares for its global rollout. Ultimately, Karuppu is heading into its release with a domestic ticket tally of over 188 thousand across 4,384 shows. By securing special shows and maintaining a high volume of shows in its primary language, the film has created a sturdy foundation. While the overseas and Telugu markets are still warming up, the sheer dominance in Tamil Nadu suggests that the film has enough fuel to ensure a respectable opening weekend at the box office.

BY CHRISTA LINCY

Raja Shivaji has reached a significant turning point in its theatrical journey, officially claiming the top spot as the highest-grossing film of 2026. On its 12th day, the biographical epic showed an impressive level of resilience, netting 2.50 crore across the country. What makes this figure noteworthy is the 4.2 percent growth seen on Tuesday compared to Monday’s 2.40 crore. It is quite unusual for a film to see an upward trend on a second Tuesday, suggesting that word-of-mouth is acting as a strong theatrical anchor for the project. The regional bedrock of this success remains the Marathi market, which continues to outperform the Hindi version by a wide margin. On Tuesday, the Marathi version alone contributed 1.85 crore with a very healthy 30 percent occupancy rate across 1,920 shows. Meanwhile, the Hindi version added 0.65 crore from 1,938 shows at a 14 percent occupancy. When looking at the cumulative totals, the Marathi market has generated 51.75 crore net so far, while the Hindi version has brought in 21.40 crore, highlighting how deeply the film has resonated with its primary audience. Looking at the national multiplex chains, the film is maintaining a very competitive footprint. On day 12, it recorded the second-highest ticket sales across major chains, trailing only behind the new release Krishnavataram. To give you an idea of the volume, PVR accounted for approximately 9.8 thousand tickets, while INOX saw about 10 thousand bookings. Cinepolis contributed another 5.7 thousand, bringing the combined total from these three giants over 25 thousand tickets for the day. This steady participation from premium urban venues has been a key factor in the film's financial stability. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The digital engagement on platforms like BookMyShow also paints a picture of long-term theatrical stamina. The total number of tickets booked via the platform is now approaching the 2 million mark. Following a strong first week that saw 1.22 million tickets sold, the second week has remained surprisingly consistent. After a busy weekend, Monday and Tuesday have stabilized with roughly 75 thousand tickets each, ensuring that the daily run-rate remains high enough to keep the project at the top of the charts. From a broader perspective, the financial health of the film is record-breaking for the current year. The total India net collection has reached 73.15 crore, which translates to a domestic gross of 86.65 crore. By crossing these figures, Raja Shivaji has now surpassed every other release in 2026 to become the number one movie of the year in terms of collection. This achievement is a testament to the film's ability to balance regional appeal with a broader national presence. Ultimately, the logic behind these numbers suggests that the film has successfully navigated the difficult second-week hurdle. Over its 12-day run, the project has spanned a total of 60,155 shows, resulting in a domestic net collection of 73.15 crore. As there has been no contribution from overseas markets yet, the worldwide gross matches the India gross at 86.65 crore. With 3,858 shows still active nationwide, the film is effectively maximizing its reach during the weekdays. As these cumulative totals continue to climb, the focus now shifts to where the final lifetime benchmark will land, especially as the film remains the primary choice for audiences across its key markets.

BY CHRISTA LINCY

Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge is showing a level of durability that most sequels struggle to achieve, especially as it enters its 55th day in theaters. This Tuesday, the film added 0.40 crore to its domestic net, which is a notable figure for an eighth-week run. What is particularly interesting here is the slight improvement in momentum compared to the start of the week. The Tuesday collection represents a 14.3 percent growth over Monday’s 0.35 crore, suggesting that the film is still finding a fresh audience even at this late stage.

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, May 13 - Riding high on the success of Bhooth Bangla, superstar Akshay Kumar is gearing up for his next film, which is the third instalment of the comedy entertainer Welcome. The actor has sparked excitement around Welcome To The Jungle by sharing a striking new picture from the film's world. Akshay, who led the original Welcome in 2007, posted an intense jungle-themed image featuring himself, teasing the scale and vibe of the upcoming comedy-action entertainer. The actor is seen making a stylish entry through a lush jungle pathway with sunlight cutting through the trees behind him. Dressed in a dark suit and sunglasses, he carries a larger-than-life aura while walking on a red carpet placed in the middle of the wilderness. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The film has already generated strong buzz due to its massive ensemble cast and its connection to the iconic Welcome franchise. The Ahmed Khan directorial is gearing up for a theatrical release on June 26, 2026. The newly shared picture gives off a larger-than-life adventure feel, hinting that Welcome To The Jungle may blend the franchise's trademark comedy chaos with action and exotic visuals. Akshay Kumar’s stylish avatar in the middle of a cinematic jungle backdrop has quickly grabbed attention across social media. The movie features a huge cast, including Suniel Shetty, Paresh Rawal, Raveena Tandon, Arshad Warsi, Jacqueline Fernandez, Disha Patani, Johnny Lever, Rajpal Yadav, Tusshar Kapoor, Shreyas Talpade and several others. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Next… #WelcomeToTheJungle pic.twitter.com/HlxrCQ4T89— Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) May 13, 2026

BY CHRISTA LINCY

Suriya is finally returning to the big screen with his upcoming film Karuppu, and the early buzz suggests that the audience has been eagerly waiting for this moment. Directed by RJ Balaji, the film is being positioned as a large-scale superhero entertainer, a genre that is quite rare in the Tamil film industry. The combination of Suriya, who is known for his versatile performances, and RJ Balaji, who has a knack for blending social messages with entertainment, has created a significant amount of curiosity. The film is produced by Dream Warrior Pictures, a banner known for backing high-quality content like Kaithi and Theeran Adhigaaram Ondru, which further adds to the expectations. Before the film even reaches the theaters on May 14, the business side of things looks very healthy. Reports indicate that the movie has already locked in over 110 crore in pre-release business through its non-theatrical avenues, which includes digital streaming rights, satellite rights, and music. This massive figure provides a strong financial safety net for the producers. In the domestic market, the theatrical rights for Tamil Nadu alone were reportedly sold for around 40 to 42 crore. For a mid-week release on a Thursday, these numbers indicate that distributors are highly confident in the film's potential to draw crowds during its opening weekend. It is worth noting that the journey to this May 14 release hasn't been a quick one, as the film moved through several tentative windows before locking its current date. Initially, there were talks of a Diwali 2025 release, but unfinished post-production and the need for extensive CGI work pushed it further. Subsequent slots like Pongal in January 2026, and even dates in March and April, were bypassed to navigate technical hurdles, digital rights negotiations, and to avoid the busy exam season. Director RJ Balaji has been vocal about these delays, explaining that the extra time was essential to perfect the complex visual effects needed for the superhero elements of the deity Karuppusamy. He also made a strategic choice to avoid the political noise surrounding the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly elections, picking this mid-May window specifically to ensure that families could focus on entertainment during the peak summer holidays. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Looking at the advance booking trends, the momentum is picking up quite rapidly. On BookMyShow alone, we have seen about 13,420 tickets booked as of May 10. When we broaden the scope to the tracked advance bookings across India for the opening day, the film has already grossed approximately 91 lakh. This has come from selling nearly 54,700 tickets across roughly 800 shows. The current occupancy rate is hovering around 18 percent, but what is more interesting is the presence of over 50 shows that are either already housefull or filling up fast. This level of activity four days before the release suggests that the numbers will likely double or triple as we get closer to the premiere. The speed of sales in Tamil Nadu has been particularly impressive. When bookings opened, the film managed to cross 10 lakh in pre-sales in under 20 minutes, and it hit the 40 lakh mark in just about an hour. Currently, Tamil Nadu is the strongest contributor with a gross of around 75 lakh. Kerala is also showing great promise with over 13 lakh in collections from about 300 shows. Other states like Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh are currently at 1.3 lakh and 0.9 lakh respectively, but these numbers are expected to rise as more local language shows are added to the schedule. Internationally, the film is performing well with overseas pre-sales estimated at 1.39 crore, bringing the worldwide total advance booking close to the 2 crore mark already. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) To stay updated with the live trends and final numbers from the pre-sales period, you can check the full report here: Karuppu 2026 First Day Advance Booking Report. What makes Karuppu stand out is its unique premise. Suriya plays a lawyer named Saravanan who essentially becomes a vessel for the ancient guardian deity, Karuppuswamy. The plot seems to blend a modern legal battle with supernatural superhero elements, focusing on a superhuman guardian who awakens to restore order in a corrupt society. This mixture of ancient mythology and contemporary social issues is right in RJ Balaji's wheelhouse. Supporting the leads are Trisha Krishnan and a strong ensemble cast including Yogi Babu, Natarajan Subramaniam, and Mansoor Ali Khan, which ensures a mix of drama and humor throughout the narrative. On the technical front, the film has a very strong lineup. G.K. Vishnu, who earned a lot of praise for his work in Jawan and Mersal, is handling the cinematography, so we can expect a very high visual standard. The action sequences are choreographed by Anbariv and Vikram Mor, who are known for their high-impact work in films like KGF and Vikram. This suggests that the superhero transformation and the deity's ancient strength will be showcased through some intense, high-energy sequences, especially in the climax. With Sai Abhyankkar’s music already generating interest, the film seems to have all the components of a major commercial entertainer. As long as the content matches the current hype, we could be looking at one of the biggest openings for Suriya in recent times.

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, May 12 - Jio Studios is on a roll with back-to-back films. After testing the monstrous successes of Dhurandhar films along with the Marathi blockbuster Raja Shivaji as a producer in the last six months, the studio has now acquired the theatrical rights of superstar Ram Charan's Peddi. Jio Studios will be releasing Hindi and Telugu versions of Peddi across North India. The film is scheduled to release on June 4, and with not much competition around that time, the film is expected to get a wide release in the Hindi market. There is decent buzz for the film, and the makers are looking to cash in on the opportunity of a mostly open window. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Meanwhile, the film's theatrical trailer will be launched in Mumbai on May 18 during a grand event. The trailer was earlier expected to be dropped on May 16 at an event in Bhopal, but the makers altered the plans. Instead, a musical event has been planned in Bhopal, though the date has not been revealed yet. Directed by Buchi Babu Sana, Peddi stars Ram Charan alongside Janhvi Kapoor in the lead roles. The film also features Shiva Rajkumar, Jagapathi Babu, and Divyenndu in pivotal roles. The pan-India entertainer is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on June 4, 2026. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Excited to bring Peddi to theatres across North India in Hindi & Telugu.Peddi in cinemas worldwide on 4th June.#GetReadyForPeddi 💥💥Mega Power Star @AlwaysRamCharan @NimmaShivanna #JanhviKapoor @BuchiBabuSana @arrahman @RathnaveluDop @artkolla @NavinNooli @bomanirani… pic.twitter.com/TvSYP8hRzt— Jio Studios (@jiostudios) May 12, 2026

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, May 12 - The promotional campaign for superstar Ram Charan's Peddi is set to get bigger in the coming days as the makers reportedly alter their plans for the film's much-awaited trailer launch. Earlier, the trailer of the sports action drama was expected to be unveiled in Bhopal. However, the latest reports suggest that the grand launch event has now been shifted to Mumbai and is scheduled to take place on May 18. The decision is believed to have been taken to give the film a wider nationwide push ahead of release. With massive anticipation already surrounding the project, the makers are reportedly planning a big promotional event in Mumbai featuring the lead cast and crew. Fans have been eagerly waiting for a glimpse of the film ever since the first promotional assets generated strong buzz across social media platforms. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Although the trailer launch venue has changed, Bhopal continues to remain an important city in the film's promotional strategy. According to reports, the makers are now preparing a grand musical event in Bhopal for the launch of the film's next song. The event is expected to be mounted on a huge scale, especially considering the growing excitement around the soundtrack composed by A. R. Rahman. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) At the same time, discussions about the film's theatrical runtime have also become a major talking point online. Reports suggest that Peddi is set to have a runtime of over three hours, making it one of the longest mainstream commercial entertainers for Ram Charan. While the exact duration has not yet been revealed, the reported runtime hints at an expansive narrative packed with action, drama, emotions, and sports elements. Directed by Buchi Babu Sana, Peddi stars Ram Charan alongside Janhvi Kapoor in the lead roles. The film also features Shiva Rajkumar, Jagapathi Babu, and Divyenndu in pivotal roles. The pan-India entertainer is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on June 4, 2026.

BY CHRISTA LINCY

Raja Shivaji is currently navigating its second week with remarkable resilience, and Day 11 has brought with it a significant historical milestone for Marathi cinema. On its second Monday, the film collected a net of ₹2.40 crore across India. While this represents a 64.7 percent drop from Sunday's robust ₹6.80 crore, such a dip is expected as the film transitions from a heavy weekend into the working week. However, the bigger story lies in the cumulative totals, as the film’s total India net collection has now reached ₹70.65 crore. The most impressive feat of this run is the performance of the Marathi version, which is effectively carrying the film to record-breaking heights. As of today, the Marathi net collection stands at ₹49.90 crore—essentially hitting the ₹50 crore mark. This achievement places Raja Shivaji in an elite tier of Marathi cinema, making it only the third film in history to enter the 50-crore club. It now sits alongside the industry's greatest hits, trailing only Baipan Bhari Deva, which had a lifetime net of ₹76 crore, and Ved, which finished at ₹61 crore. Reaching this milestone in just 11 days suggests that the film is well on its way to challenging those top spots. When we look at the language-wise breakdown for Day 11, the contrast is stark. The Marathi version contributed ₹1.90 crore net from 1,856 shows, maintaining a healthy weekday occupancy of 23 percent. In comparison, the Hindi version brought in ₹0.50 crore net from 1,919 shows with a much lower occupancy of 9 percent. It is clear that while the film has a significant presence in the Hindi belt, the heart of its success remains firmly rooted in the Marathi-speaking audience, where the footfalls are significantly more consistent. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The digital traction remains a standout feature of this run. On its second Monday, BookMyShow saw another 75,500 tickets being booked, which pushes the total sales on the platform to a staggering 1.91 million. This puts Raja Shivaji on the doorstep of the massive 2 million ticket milestone, highlighting the widespread interest it continues to generate across the board. Over in the national multiplex chains, the movie maintained a decent hold by selling about 7,400 tickets. INOX saw the highest turnout with roughly 3,000 tickets, while PVR and Cinepolis added another 2,500 and 1,900 tickets, respectively. Together, these chains brought in a combined gross of about ₹17.5 lakh, proving that the film's appeal is holding steady across different theater formats. With the total India gross now standing at ₹83.80 crore, the film is steadily making its way toward the ₹100 crore worldwide milestone. Beyond the Marathi success, another major highlight is the performance of the Hindi version, which has now netted ₹20.75 crore. This is a significant breakthrough, as it is one of the first times a Marathi production has managed to breach the 20-crore mark with its Hindi dubbed version, proving that the story has successfully traveled beyond its home state. While the usual weekday drop is visible, the Marathi market continues to provide a solid floor. The coming days will be key to seeing how close the film can get to the lifetime records of Ved and Baipan Bhari Deva, but for now, Raja Shivaji has already cemented its place as one of the biggest success stories of the year.

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, May 12 - Theatres across India are gearing up for another packed weekend as multiple films from different industries arrive on May 14 and 15. From big-scale commercial entertainers to intense political dramas and quirky comedies, this week's lineup offers something for every audience. Here's a look at five major theatrical releases hitting cinemas this week. 1. Karuppu (Tamil) One of the biggest Tamil releases, Karuppu stars Suriya and Trisha Krishnan in the lead roles. Directed by RJ Balaji, the film blends courtroom drama, action, and elements of rural folklore. The trailer and songs have generated strong buzz ahead of release, while bookings are showing good momentum. It is scheduled to release on May 14 in Tamil and Telugu. 2. Athiradi (Malayalam) Malayalam cinema's big release of the week is Athiradi, starring Tovino Thomas, Basil Joseph, and Vineeth Sreenivasan. Directed by Arun Anirudhan, the action-comedy is set against the backdrop of a vibrant college festival and revolves around rivalry, friendship, and chaos unfolding on campus. Paid premieres are scheduled from May 13 ahead of its worldwide theatrical release on May 14. 3. Pati Patni Aur Woh Do (Hindi) The comedy space gets a major addition with Pati Patni Aur Woh Do, starring Ayushmann Khurrana, Sara Ali Khan, Wamiqa Gabbi, and Rakul Preet Singh. Directed by Mudassar Aziz, the film is described as a spiritual successor to the 2019 hit Pati Patni Aur Woh. The film promises to be a classic situational comedy filled with chaos, romance, and misunderstandings. It arrives in cinemas on May 15. 4. Aakhri Sawal (Hindi) Starring Sanjay Dutt, Aakhri Sawal is positioned as a politically charged drama inspired by debated chapters of Indian history. Directed by National Award-winning filmmaker Abhijeet Mohan Warang, the film explores themes surrounding institutional conflict, historical events, and ideological debates. The trailer has sparked online discussions due to its bold dialogues and references to major political moments from India’s past. The film is scheduled for a theatrical release on May 15 in multiple languages. 5. Picture Boyz (Marathi) Picture Boyz follows a small-town aspiring actor who leaves his village to pursue cinema and navigates the struggles, friendships and chaos of the entertainment industry alongside another dreamer. Starring Hansraj Jagtap and Pratik Lad, the film taps into the struggles of small-town dreamers trying to break into the entertainment industry, blending humour with an underdog coming-of-age narrative.

BY CHRISTA LINCY

Patriot is currently struggling through its second week, and the lack of momentum is becoming more apparent as the daily numbers continue to slide. On its 11th day, which was its second Monday, the film collected a net of ₹0.47 crore across India. This represents a 56 percent drop from Sunday's ₹1.07 crore, a clear sign that the film is failing to find a stable floor on weekdays. Despite operating across 912 shows, the turnout remains thin, and the film is now purely reliant on its performance in a few core pockets to keep the registers ticking. Even the second weekend jump offered little relief for the film, as the numbers remained underwhelming for a project of this scale. On Saturday, Patriot managed a net of just ₹0.98 crore—failing to even touch the ₹1 crore mark despite the holiday advantage. It is becoming increasingly clear that the film is struggling to draw a wide audience outside of its core fan base. For a closer look at the downward trend over the second weekend, here is the data breakdown: Patriot - 2nd Weekend India Net CollectionDAYINDIA NETDay 8 (2nd Friday)₹0.71 CrDay 9 (2nd Saturday)₹0.98 CrDay 10 (2nd Sunday)₹1.07 CrTOTAL₹2.76 Cr (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) A significant highlight of the film's journey so far is its performance on digital platforms. Patriot has officially crossed the 1 million ticket sales mark on BookMyShow. After a massive opening week that saw nearly 6 lakh tickets sold, the second weekend contributed another 70k bookings. On Monday, the platform recorded around 8,640 tickets. This milestone suggests that while the daily numbers are tapering off, the film has reached a substantial audience base, largely driven by the strong interest in the Kerala circuit. Speaking of regional performance, Kerala is effectively carrying the film on its shoulders right now. On Day 11, the state's gross of around ₹0.50 crore accounted for almost the entirety of the film's daily revenue, showing just how much the movie is leaning on its home turf. In contrast, other markets like Karnataka have slowed down to a crawl, contributing just a negligible ₹0.01 crore. This dependency on regional strongholds is also reflected in the national multiplex chains—PVR, INOX, and Cinepolis—which had a very quiet Monday. The film sold roughly 650 tickets across 150+ shows, bringing in a gross of about ₹1.4 lakh. With occupancy in these chains at a modest 2.25 percent, it's evident that the film's survival now rests with standalone theaters in Kerala. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) On the global stage, Patriot has just surpassed a major milestone. With a total India gross of ₹34.23 crore and a massive overseas gross of ₹43.00 crore, the worldwide total now stands at ₹78.25 crore. Interestingly, the film performed better internationally than domestically, thanks to the stardom, which has been the primary factor in keeping the worldwide tally healthy. Back in the home circuit, the total India net collection currently stands at ₹30.30 crore. As Patriot enters the final stretch of its second week, the primary challenge will be just how much more it can squeeze out before losing significant screen space to upcoming releases. While the 1 million ticket-selling legacy on BookMyShow provides some solace, there is no denying that the film is currently underperforming in the domestic market, with daily net collections now crawling in the low lakhs. The worldwide total of ₹78.25 crore gives the makers some breathing room, but the once-hoped-for ₹100 crore milestone now looks like a mountain too high to climb. With a heavy budget to recover, the stakes were incredibly high for Patriot, but the current trajectory suggests the film is struggling to keep its head above water. Unless it finds a miraculous second wind, it appears set to end its run as a high-cost venture that simply couldn't sustain enough momentum to justify its massive investment.

BY CHRISTA LINCY

Bhooth Bangla is proving to be a marathon runner at the box office. Entering its fourth week, the Akshay Kumar starrer is still showing plenty of life, even as it navigates the typical Monday blues. On its 25th day, the film collected around ₹1.35 crore net across India. While this is a 66.3 percent drop from Sunday's ₹4.00 crore, it is a very stable hold for a movie that has been playing in theaters for nearly a month. With over 4,000 shows still active across the country, the film is making the most of its open run before the next wave of big releases. Another feather in the cap for the film is its standing in the historical charts. With its ₹1.35 crore net, Bhooth Bangla has secured the 31st spot in the list of highest Day 25 collections for Indian cinema. This is a significant move as it has managed to zoom past other major horror-comedy blockbusters from the past. Specifically, it has outperformed Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2, which sits at the 34th rank with ₹1.30 crore, and Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, which is at the 43rd spot with ₹1.05 crore. Beating established franchises like these in terms of late-stage longevity proves that the film has truly resonated with the audience on a long-term basis. The big story today, however, isn't just about the daily collections but the massive digital milestone the film has achieved. Bhooth Bangla has officially crossed the 3 million ticket sales mark on BookMyShow. This is a monumental achievement for Akshay Kumar, as the film has now effectively matched and surpassed the lifetime ticket sales of OMG 2, which also stood at the 3 million mark. By zooming past Housefull 5’s 2.4 million sales, Bhooth Bangla has cemented itself as one of the most popular films in Akshay's recent career on the ticketing platform. This journey has been a fast one, with the film crossing the 2 million mark in just 10 days and reaching 2.6 million by Day 16, showing just how much momentum it carried through its initial weeks. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) When we look at how the audience is showing up on the ground, the national chains are still providing a steady engine for the film. On Monday, PVR led the way with roughly ₹3.9 lakh in gross collections, followed closely by INOX at ₹3.0 lakh and Cinepolis at ₹1.3 lakh. In total, the big three chains contributed around ₹8.2 lakh to the daily gross, matching the overall trend for mid-budget hits. On BookMyShow, the film recorded about 25,600 tickets for the day. While this is lower than the giants like Dhurandhar 2, which saw 104K tickets, or Chhaava with 89K tickets on their respective fourth Mondays, it comfortably keeps Bhooth Bangla in the conversation among the top performers of the year. Historically speaking, the film has had some very strong days that helped it reach this stage. It currently holds the 10th spot in the list of highest-selling Mondays on BMS for Bollywood since 2025, a record it set early on by selling over 126K tickets on its first Monday. This kind of early-stage surge built a massive cushion that allowed the film to withstand the usual weekday drops later in its life cycle. So far, the total India net collection has reached ₹160.10 crore, while the India gross stands at a healthy ₹189.97 crore. The international market is also adding its bit to the kitty, especially in North America where the film has turned into a massive legacy win for Akshay Kumar. With a total gross of $2.17 million in the USA and Canada, Akshay has now achieved a historic milestone, becoming the only Indian actor after Shah Rukh Khan to have 30 films cross the $1 million mark in that territory. Much of this momentum came from the huge reunion buzz between Akshay and director Priyadarshan, which helped the film zoom into the million-dollar club by its very first Sunday. Overall, the overseas circuits contributed around ₹0.05 crore on Day 25, taking the total international gross to ₹53.15 crore. When you combine this with the domestic performance, the worldwide gross for Bhooth Bangla now stands at ₹243.12 crore. The movie is now within striking distance of the ₹250 crore worldwide milestone, which would be a fantastic result for the makers. It is clear that even with the usual weekday drops, the film's global reach and that massive 3 million ticket-selling legacy will keep it profitable for several more days. As we look ahead, Bhooth Bangla is likely to maintain this pace until the next big Friday release arrives. It has already done the heavy lifting by securing its place as one of the top-performing horror-comedies in recent years. With its current momentum, the film is expected to crawl toward its next domestic target, having already proved that its unique blend of scares and laughs has plenty of gas left to finish the race strongly.

BY CHRISTA LINCY

Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge is now officially in its eighth week, and while most films would have been long gone from theaters by this point, this magnum opus is still finding enough gas in the tank to keep the daily collections ticking. On its 54th day, which happened to be its eighth Monday, the film brought in a net collection of ₹0.35 crore across India. This does look like a steep 68.2 percent drop from Sunday's ₹1.10 crore, but for a movie that has already exhausted a majority of its audience, these numbers are quite steady. The film operated with 726 shows across the country, showing that exhibitors are still willing to give it some breathing room before the next big releases arrive. When we zoom into the ground-level data, the walk-in audience is still showing up in small pockets. On Monday, the film saw about 9,300 tickets booked through BookMyShow, which is a respectable number for a two-month-old film. If we look at the big three national chains—PVR, INOX, and Cinepolis—they contributed roughly ₹6.3 lakh to the daily gross, selling around 2,400 tickets. This brings the total India gross to a massive ₹1,368.52 crore, while the total India net collection now stands at ₹1,143.44 crore. It is rare to see a film hold onto its theaters for 54 days and still keep its kitty growing, albeit at a slower pace. The real story today, however, isn't just about the daily collection; it's about the massive milestone the film has reached. Dhurandhar 2 has officially cemented its place as the second highest-grossing Indian film of all time globally. With a total worldwide gross of ₹1,795.10 crore, it has finally zoomed past the lifetime record of Pushpa 2: The Rule, which stood at ₹1,742.10 crore. This is a monumental achievement, especially when you consider that Dhurandhar 2 did this without a release in China and while facing a ban in the GCC markets. The film relied heavily on its historic run in North America, where it has grossed over $28.59 million, and the UK, where it became the highest-grossing Hindi film ever. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) But there is a very interesting catch that trade analysts are currently dissecting. While Dhurandhar 2 has won the global battle against Pushpa 2, it has failed to capture the India Net record. Pushpa 2 still sits at the top of the domestic ladder with an India net of ₹1,234.10 crore, which is nearly ₹90 crore ahead of Dhurandhar 2’s current total of ₹1,143.44 crore. Even though Dhurandhar 2 is running on its final oxygen tank, it is highly unlikely to bridge this gap in the domestic market. To understand why this happened, we have to look at the regional breakdown of both films during their peak weeks. Pushpa 2 was the definition of a balanced pan-India phenomenon. In its first week alone, it netted ₹725.80 crore. While its Hindi version was a hit with ₹425.10 crore, it was the massive cushion from the Telugu market—contributing ₹242 crore in just seven days—that gave it such a high domestic floor. In contrast, Dhurandhar 2 was heavily dependent on the Hindi states. In its opening week, the Hindi version netted a staggering ₹636.04 crore, which is far higher than Pushpa 2's Hindi start. However, its performance in the south was significantly lower; its Telugu version only brought in ₹25.27 crore in week one. Essentially, Dhurandhar 2 dominated the north but lacked the deep regional penetration that Pushpa 2 enjoyed across Telugu, Tamil, and Malayalam markets. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Looking at the trend, this Hindi-heavy approach served as a double-edged sword for the film. On one hand, it allowed Dhurandhar 2 to leverage a massive NRI audience in traditional strongholds like the UK and North America, which was the primary engine that helped it zoom past Pushpa 2 on the global stage. However, this specific focus also left the movie somewhat short-handed when it came to chasing the domestic net record. Pushpa 2 benefited from a much deeper regional cushion, maintaining high numbers across multiple southern circuits that created a domestic lead simply too large to overcome, even with late-stage surges. While Dhurandhar 2 was in a league of its own overseas—adding another ₹0.03 crore on Day 54 to reach a total of ₹426.58 crore—the India net crown remains with Pushpa 2 due to that superior pan-India penetration. As the film winds down, its legacy is now firmly established. It may not have become the number one domestic net grosser, but by becoming the second highest-grossing Indian film globally, it has redefined what international success looks like for a non-China release. With the total worldwide gross sitting at ₹1,795.10 crore, Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge has proven that a film can conquer the world by winning over the global audience, even if a few domestic milestones remain just out of reach.