Poor real to reel conversion

Married couples Rashmika-Vijay and Sonakshi-Zaheer had little or no appeal on the big screen

Meena Iyer :

It’s Dhanteras tomorrow. And, Indian cinema is praying hard for some box-office jaadu. While all bets are hedged on India’s most-ambitious mythological Ramayana, which releases as early as 6 am this morning, the trade is sincerely hoping that Lord Ram comes to their rescue.

Darkest hour before the Diwali dawn

As we said earlier, the abysmal fate of some movies released previously has left Indian cinema bleeding. And, we can only hope that Diwali, the festival of lights, will lead us away from the black hole, which has been staring us in the face recently. It is said that the darkest hour is before dawn; the cinemas are hoping to dispel that doom.

Miya-biwi willing, lekin public not raazi

A point to make here is that at the time of going to press, Ranabaali starring Rashmika Mandanna and her husband, Vijay Deverakonda, who married on February 26, is a flop. This film, which released on October 16, received mixed to poor reviews. In Telugu—where Vijay and Rashmika have a draw, it had some conversion but in Hindi and in the overseas markets, the results were dreadful. According to reliable trade-portals, the film collected around ₹59 crore (all languages) in 19 days. And, from this you can draw your own conclusions. The other married couple, Sonakshi Sinha and Zaheer Iqbal who married on June 23, 2024, were cumulatively worth just ₹45 lakhs at the box office. Their Tu Hai Meri Kiran, which released on 23 October, breathed its last a few days later.

Udta Teer averaged out

The Ayushmann Khurrana-Sara Ali Khan spy-comedy brought in approximately ₹45 crore in 13 days. Ayushmann, who once had seven hits in a row, seems to be floundering as a mid-range star because several of his films for over 14 years like Vicky Donor (2012), Nautanki Saala! (2013), Bewakoofiyaan (2014), Dum Laga Ke Haisha (2015), Bareilly ki Barfi (2017), Shubh Mangal Saavdhan (2017), Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui (2021) and Pati, Patni Aur Woh Do (2026) have had the dubious distinction of ending their run under ₹50 crore. In some cases, the budgets of his earlier films were modest. Hence the films were declared hits. Off-late though, he has not been good for his buck. Udta Teer too is nowhere near being declared ‘safe’ at least as yet. 

Knock yourself out, naming the flops

Flops include-Nakhrewaalii, Love Story Abhimanyu Ki, Pyre, Doosra, Little Thomas, Pehla Pyaar Doosri Baar, Tum Mere Ho, Tu Hai Meri Kiran and Lohitaksha to name some, it almost seems like death was served up on a toast. 

Mere Ram aayenge

To repeat what we said at the start, a day before Dhanteras, Ramayana: Part 1 has released. Pre-sales for tickets had reached a frenzy. 

The film industry has joined their hands in prayer, hoping the sublime will over-power the ridiculous releases of the last few days. And, the Gods will bring genuine glory.

May the magic of the movies endure

In a year that has had Dhurandhar The Revenge in March, Spider-Man:Brand New Day in July, Hanuman Ansh in August and Drishyam: The Conclusion in October, November needs box-office reverence for Ramayana. Ranbir Kapoor haazir ho!

 Film Name Release Date           No of Days India Nett Collection

Ranabaali October 16, 2026   19 days           ₹59 crore 

Udta Teer October 23, 2026   12 days           ₹45 crore 

Tu Hai Meri Kiran October 23, 2026 12 days  ₹45 lakhs 

Pehla Pyaar Doosri Baar October 23, 2026 12 days ₹4 crore

Disclaimer: (FPJ has referred to leading trade portals and its own reliable trade sources for the box-office figures mentioned above. We maintain that these are authentic, estimated figures, collected without bias. FPJ leaves a margin for correction because off late, Bollywood cinema collections have reportedly become “ambiguous”. Filmmakers / exhibitors / distributors reportedly depend on corporate bookings, their own “ticket-purchases” and augmented sales through paid mediums. All collections are India nett in INR.)