Riding High or Running Out? Ajay Devgn’s Son of Sardaar 2 Inches Toward Rs 25 Crore Mark in First Weekend

 

Key Highlights

 

• Son of Sardaar 2 has crossed Rs 24 crore in three days, with a Sunday surge solidifying its strong opening weekend

• The Ajay Devgn-Mrunal Thakur starrer experienced muted but steady growth after a competitive release

• Audience response and critical reviews have been mixed, and word-of-mouth may determine its future trajectory

• Box office momentum faces stiff competition from other big releases, but the loyal fan base and franchise recall give it an edge

 

Box Office Breakdown: Weekend by the Numbers

 

Son of Sardaar 2 launched on August 1, 2025, facing direct competition at the box office from Dhadak 2, as well as the ongoing run of crowd-puller Saiyaara and Mahavatar Narsimha.

• Day 1: The film’s opening day figures managed to reach approximately Rs 7.25 crore, a solid but not spectacular start, considering the film’s A-list cast and the anticipation built by its predecessor

• Day 2: The second day saw a modest uptick of about 13–20 percent range, bringing in between Rs 8 crore and Rs 8.25 crore, as audience turnout improved, especially in evening and night shows across Tier-2 cities like Lucknow and Jaipur

• Day 3: Early estimates for Sunday indicate a further increase, with collections climbing to between Rs 9.5 crore and just over Rs 10 crore by evening, nudging the total close to or just above the Rs 25 crore mark for the first weekend

This performance narrowly beat Dhadak 2, which trailed significantly in cumulative earnings.

Audience Trends and Occupancy

While the film trailed behind major 2024 blockbusters, it recorded decent occupancy levels in Hindi belt states and non-metro centers. Night and evening shows showed the highest footfalls, with an average 25–44 percent occupation rate. A loyal following among Ajay Devgn’s fans and the inherent draw of a sequel contributed to the steady, if unspectacular, turnout.

 

Critical Response: Mixed Signals

 

Reviews from film critics and social media indicate lukewarm reactions. While Ajay Devgn’s portrayal of the affable sardar received praise for blending comedy and emotional beats, and Mrunal Thakur impressed with her screen presence, the film’s formulaic plot and pacing received criticism. Reviewers pointed out that comic elements generated intermittent laughs but flagged the storyline as predictable. Supporting actors like Ravi Kishan and Mukul Dev (in a posthumous appearance) drew positive notice.

 

Market Competition and Release Context

 

The box office arena for Son of Sardaar 2 has been notably crowded:

• Mahavatar Narsimha continued a robust run, drawing family audiences and outpacing new Bollywood releases

• Saiyaara, with its youth appeal, maintained strong box office traction, potentially splitting the urban multiplex crowd

• Dhadak 2 did not match the opening weekend numbers of Son of Sardaar 2 but added to market competition

 

Impact and Future Outlook

 

Despite banking on franchise nostalgia and star power, the film’s weekend numbers, while healthy, have not matched the blockbuster openers of earlier sequels or similar Ajay Devgn vehicles. Box office experts caution that the film may face challenges in holding screens once new releases like War 2 hit theaters mid-August.

The producers and exhibitors will be watching weekday figures closely. If word-of-mouth stays tepid, the total domestic run could fall short of the original Son of Sardaar’s lifetime tally. Overseas, early estimates suggest mildly better-than-expected performance but not enough to compensate for muted domestic growth.

 

Looking Ahead

 

Son of Sardaar 2 has succeeded in grabbing audience attention and crossing a key Rs 24–25 crore milestone after three days, ensuring it remains in the box office conversation. The next week is pivotal—sustained performance will depend on family crowds, continued regional interest, and the potential for a boost from public holidays.

 

Sources: Pinkvilla, Republic World, Times of India