Battle of Genres: War Triumphs Over Wit at the Box Office

Updated: November 24, 2025 00:28

Image Source: Financial Express

Farhan Akhtar’s military drama 120 Bahadur has surged ahead of Vivek Oberoi’s adult comedy Mastiii 4 at the Indian box office. Despite fewer shows, strong word-of-mouth and critical acclaim propelled 120 Bahadur past its rival, collecting ₹6.25 crore in two days, while Mastiii 4 struggled to maintain momentum.

The box office witnessed a fascinating clash this weekend as two contrasting films—Farhan Akhtar’s patriotic war drama 120 Bahadur and Vivek Oberoi’s rib-tickling comedy Mastiii 4—hit theatres simultaneously. While Mastiii 4 initially opened stronger, the tide quickly turned in favor of 120 Bahadur, which resonated deeply with audiences thanks to its emotional storytelling and tribute to real-life heroes.

Notable Updates

•⁠ ⁠Day 2 turnaround: 120 Bahadur collected ₹4 crore on Saturday, taking its total to ₹6.25 crore, surpassing Mastiii 4’s earnings

•⁠ ⁠Show count disparity: Despite having fewer shows (2,705 compared to Mastiii 4’s 2,826), 120 Bahadur recorded higher occupancy at 14.26% versus 10.36%

•⁠ ⁠Critical reception: 120 Bahadur has been praised for its portrayal of the Battle of Rezang La and its tribute to the 120 soldiers of the Kumaon Regiment

•⁠ ⁠Audience sentiment: Strong word-of-mouth and emotional resonance helped the war drama overcome its slower opening day.

•⁠ ⁠Comedy struggles: Mastiii 4, starring Vivek Oberoi, Riteish Deshmukh, and Aftab Shivdasani, faced criticism for repetitive humor and failed to sustain its initial momentum

Major Takeaways

•⁠ ⁠The clash highlights how content quality and audience connection can outweigh screen count.

•⁠ ⁠120 Bahadur’s success underscores the growing appetite for historical and patriotic narratives in Indian cinema.

•⁠ ⁠Mastiii 4’s underperformance suggests that franchise fatigue may be setting in for long-running comedy series.

•⁠ ⁠The box office battle demonstrates the power of reviews and word-of-mouth in shaping weekend collections.

As the week progresses, industry watchers will be keen to see whether 120 Bahadur maintains its upward trajectory or if Mastiii 4 can recover lost ground. For now, the war drama has decisively edged past its comedic rival, proving that heartfelt storytelling can triumph over slapstick entertainment.

Sources: Indian Express, Financial Express, India TV News, ET Now, Economic Times

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