Dhadak 2 Hits a Flat Note on Day 1, While Yudhra Dances Away with the Opening Crown!

Key Highlights

 

Dhadak 2, starring Siddhant Chaturvedi and Triptii Dimri, opened in Indian theatres on August 1, 2025, with a modest box office collection estimated at around ₹2.94 crore net on the first day, according to trade analyst Sacnilk.

 

The film did not surpass the opening day earnings of Siddhant’s earlier film Yudhra, which had collected approximately ₹4.5 crore net on day one, indicating a less enthusiastic audience turnout.

 

Occupancy rates for Dhadak 2 were reported to be low at just under 20% (around 19.78%) on its opening day, signaling a lukewarm public reception.

 

The movie was released on a limited scale, with about 1,000 screens across India featuring the film, a relatively small footprint compared to typical Bollywood releases.

 

Dhadak 2 shares thematic similarities with its predecessor Dhadak (2018), itself a remake of the Tamil film Pariyerum Perumal, focusing on sensitive issues such as caste-based harassment alongside a love story.

 

Despite positive critical acknowledgement of the film’s handling of delicate social subjects by director Shazia Iqbal, the film struggled to generate strong word-of-mouth or box office momentum in a competitive release environment.

 

Box Office Competition and Context

 

Dhadak 2 opened alongside other films such as Ajay Devgn’s Son Of Sardaar 2 and the continuing hit Saiyaara, which collected over ₹25 crore on its opening day in July 2025, further intensifying competition for audience attention.

 

Kingdom, a Telugu action film released a day earlier on July 31, outperformed Dhadak 2 with a Day 1 collection surpassing ₹10 crore.

 

Son Of Sardaar 2, released on a wider scale (about 2,500-3,000 screens), had a slightly better opening day in terms of box office with early figures around ₹5.39 crore but still fell short of expectations.

 

Compared to the strong pre-release buzz of Saiyaara and the larger star power in other films, Dhadak 2’s niche appeal and limited screens contributed to its modest commercial start.

 

Audience Response and Occupancy Insights

 

Advance bookings for Dhadak 2 were roughly 18,000 tickets, comparatively lower than competing films, though it managed a morning occupancy of around 15%, ranking among the top 10 Bollywood films in terms of opening day morning occupancy in 2025.

 

The low occupancy and limited shows could affect the film’s potential weekend box office pickup, especially as audiences have many choices in multiplexes and single screens.

 

Critics and viewers noted that while the movie attempted a sincere portrayal of caste-based social issues and romance, the slow narrative pace and inconsistent tone diluted overall impact, possibly affecting word-of-mouth and repeat viewership.

 

Film Overview and Creative Vision

 

Dhadak 2 tells the story of a law student who falls in love, but faces harassment and prejudice from his classmate’s family due to caste differences—a storyline aiming to shed light on societal challenges.

 

Siddhant Chaturvedi acknowledged the responsibility of portraying such themes sensitively and credited director Shazia Iqbal for her clarity in vision and refusal to dramatize or oversimplify complex realities.

 

Despite earnest performances, the film’s slow build and focus on dialogue-heavy sequences may have limited its mass commercial appeal in the opening phase.

 

Implications and Weekend Outlook

 

The subdued opening suggests that unless the film can generate stronger word-of-mouth or attract niche audiences who appreciate socially conscious cinema, it may face difficulty reaching commercial success comparable to bigger Bollywood blockbusters releasing concurrently.

 

Weekend collections and audience feedback will be critical to determining whether Dhadak 2 can sustain theatrical runs or fade in the face of stiff competition.

 

Given the challenging release environment, the film’s producers and distributors may explore digital and streaming platforms sooner as an alternative path for reaching wider audiences.

 

Conclusion

 

Dhadak 2, despite its socially relevant theme and talented leads Siddhant Chaturvedi and Triptii Dimri, experienced a below-par opening day at the Indian box office, collecting an estimated ₹2.94 crore net. It fell short of matching Siddhant’s previous film Yudhra’s successful start and faced stiff competition from films like Saiyaara and Ajay Devgn’s Son Of Sardaar 2. While critically noted for its responsible storytelling, the film’s limited release scale and modest occupancy reflect cautious audience interest. The coming weekend will be decisive in assessing the film’s commercial journey amid a crowded Bollywood landscape.

 

Sources: Hindustan Times, Financial Express