The first week of August has delivered a dramatic shake-up at the Indian box office. While Ajay Devgn’s Son of Sardaar 2 and Siddhant Chaturvedi–Triptii Dimri’s Dhadak 2 entered theatres with high expectations, both films have struggled to hold ground against the unstoppable momentum of Saiyaara, the romantic musical thriller starring newcomers Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda. The numbers tell a story of dominance, disappointment, and shifting audience preferences.
Key box office highlights:
- Son of Sardaar 2 earned Rs 32.89 crore in its first week
- Dhadak 2 managed Rs 16.44 crore over the same period
- Saiyaara crossed Rs 308 crore in India by day 21
- Mahavatar Narsimha, another surprise hit, earned Rs 118 crore in 13 days
Son of Sardaar 2: A lukewarm sequel with modest returns
Ajay Devgn’s return as Jassi in Son of Sardaar 2 promised action, comedy, and Punjabi flair. Despite a decent opening of Rs 7.25 crore on August 1, the film’s momentum faded quickly. Weekend collections peaked at Rs 9.25 crore on Sunday, but Monday saw a steep drop to Rs 2.35 crore. By Thursday, the film was earning just Rs 1.40 crore daily. With a total of Rs 32.89 crore in its first week, the film has outperformed Dhadak 2 but remains far from blockbuster territory.
Occupancy rates reflect the struggle. On day 7, the film recorded just 8.64 percent overall Hindi occupancy, with morning shows dipping below 6 percent. Despite a strong ensemble cast including Mrunal Thakur, Ravi Kishan, and Kubbra Sait, the film failed to generate sustained interest.
Dhadak 2: A bold narrative that couldn’t find its audience
Directed by Shazia Iqbal and produced by Dharma Productions, Dhadak 2 explores caste-based discrimination through the love story of Neelesh Ahirwar and Vidhi Bharadwaj. The film opened with Rs 3.75 crore and saw a modest weekend bump, but weekday collections dropped sharply. By day 7, the film had earned Rs 16.44 crore, with occupancy hovering around 12 percent.
Despite critical appreciation for its social themes and performances, Dhadak 2 has struggled to connect with mainstream audiences. The film’s subdued marketing and competition from bigger releases may have contributed to its underwhelming performance.
Saiyaara: The storm that won’t slow down
Directed by Mohit Suri, Saiyaara has emerged as the box office juggernaut of the season. With Rs 175 crore in its first week and Rs 110 crore in the second, the film added another Rs 23 crore over its third weekend. As of day 21, Saiyaara’s total domestic collection stands at Rs 308.45 crore, with a global gross of Rs 460 crore.
The film’s success is attributed to its gripping narrative, chart-topping music, and strong word-of-mouth. It has outperformed films featuring Bollywood heavyweights and is now poised to enter the top 20 highest-grossing Hindi films of all time.
Mahavatar Narsimha: The animated sleeper hit
While Saiyaara dominates, Mahavatar Narsimha has quietly built a strong box office presence. Inspired by the legend of Narsimha, the animated film has earned Rs 118 crore in 13 days. With strong performance in both Hindi and Telugu markets, the film has expanded to international territories including Germany, France, and the Middle East.
Its success has added further pressure on new releases, proving that content-driven cinema can thrive even without star power.
Looking ahead
With War 2 and Coolie set to release around Independence Day, the box office landscape is expected to shift again. But for now, Saiyaara remains the undisputed champion, leaving Son of Sardaar 2 and Dhadak 2 in its dust.
Sources: NDTV, Times of India, India TV News, MSN Entertainment, Indian Express
