Post by : Anis Farhan

A Romantic Saga’s Box Office Journey

Released on 21 October 2025, Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat arrived during the Diwali weekend, a time known for high audience turnout and family outings. Directed by Milap Zaveri, the film promised an emotional narrative woven around love, heartbreak, and redemption. Starring Harshvardhan Rane and Sonam Bajwa, the movie entered the box office arena amid stiff competition from several other Diwali releases.

According to early trade estimates, the film was made on a budget of around ₹30–35 crore, positioning it as a mid-range romantic drama. With high hopes pinned on its music and lead chemistry, the film managed to spark curiosity, particularly among younger audiences and fans of Rane’s previous work. However, as the numbers started to roll in, the picture became more complex than expected.

Opening Day Performance

The movie opened with a strong Day 1 collection of ₹8.50 crore net across India, marking a career-best opening for Harshvardhan Rane. The film’s occupancy rate hovered around 39% nationwide, with Bengaluru (58%), NCR (45%), and Mumbai (37%) performing notably better than tier-two cities. The strong start was credited to the Diwali advantage, robust pre-release promotions, and the audience’s curiosity around a classic love story in an era dominated by thrillers and biopics.

The opening day momentum reflected well on the film’s initial buzz, giving it a respectable start despite being sandwiched between big-budget entertainers. However, sustaining this early traction would soon emerge as the biggest challenge.

Weekend Drop and Cumulative Earnings

While the first day numbers seemed promising, the Day 2 performance saw a sharp decline—an estimated ₹0.03 crore net collection was recorded, hinting at a weak hold. By the end of Day 2, the film’s total collection stood around ₹8.53 crore.

Further into the weekend, Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat reportedly reached ₹10.9 crore net (India) and about ₹12.9 crore gross. Unfortunately, the downward trend in daily footfalls suggested that the film’s word-of-mouth response was mixed. Despite its emotional depth, audiences appeared divided—while some praised its sincerity, others found the storyline predictable.

The film’s limited overseas reach contributed little to its total earnings, making recovery through ancillary markets (OTT, music rights, and satellite deals) critical for its financial balance.

Budget and Financial Verdict

With a production budget of ₹30–35 crore, Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat was expected to collect at least ₹45 crore gross to break even. Given the first week’s modest totals, trade analysts began categorizing it as a “struggling performer” rather than a disaster or hit.

Some sources pegged the cost at ₹25 crore, considering tighter marketing spend, but even under this adjusted estimate, profitability seemed distant. The film’s decline after the opening day highlighted the risks of festival-time congestion, where several big titles compete for limited audience attention.

For distributors and exhibitors, the falloff had direct implications—screen retention, reduced showtimes, and lower weekend occupancy in multiplex chains. The film may still gain a second life through OTT streaming platforms, where romantic dramas often find renewed engagement.

Competition and Screen Sharing

The Diwali frame, though lucrative, came with fierce competition. With at least three major releases in the same week, Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat faced difficulties securing prime screens in metro circuits. Reports suggested that it managed only 40% of available Hindi screens, while larger projects dominated premium slots.

This restricted visibility affected ticket sales, particularly in multiplexes that prioritize films with broader appeal or pre-booking demand. Despite strong reviews for its music and chemistry, the film struggled to maintain a strong screen presence beyond the opening weekend.

Promotions, Marketing, and Star Appeal

The marketing campaign leaned heavily on emotional teasers, soulful tracks, and the tagline “Every Love Has a Madness”, which resonated with fans of classic Bollywood romance. Harshvardhan Rane’s loyal following, particularly in southern markets, helped in building anticipation, while Sonam Bajwa’s fanbase added freshness to the pairing.

However, despite these efforts, the lack of star power comparable to top-tier Bollywood names such as Ranbir Kapoor or Kartik Aaryan limited the film’s expansion potential. Trade experts observed that Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat was well-marketed but not strongly positioned, given the intense Diwali competition.

Regional Audience Response

The film performed comparatively better in South Indian cities like Bengaluru and Hyderabad, where Harshvardhan Rane enjoys greater recognition. Northern circuits like Delhi and Chandigarh saw moderate occupancy, while Mumbai’s performance was below expectations, possibly due to urban audiences favoring high-energy festival entertainers.

In single-screen theatres across UP, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh, collections were steady but not strong enough to offset the multiplex shortfall. This skewed geographic performance pattern reflected that while the story resonated with emotional audiences, it lacked the mass appeal necessary for blockbuster status.

Word-of-Mouth and Critical Reception

Audience reactions were mixed to positive, with most praising the film’s music and sincerity but criticizing its predictable screenplay. Critics acknowledged Milap Zaveri’s attempt to revisit old-school romance but noted that the narrative occasionally leaned on clichés.

Strong performances by Harshvardhan Rane and Sonam Bajwa were widely appreciated, though reviewers believed the screenplay needed tighter pacing to hold attention through its runtime. Social media trends on Day 2 and Day 3 indicated reduced engagement, signaling waning public enthusiasm.

Box Office Analysis and Implications

A film that opens near ₹9 crore needs solid weekend growth to enter profitable territory. Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat, however, experienced the opposite—a steep drop that hinted at limited audience retention.

For producers, this outcome meant depending on non-theatrical revenues—satellite, streaming, and music rights—to recover costs. For exhibitors, early occupancy decline affected profitability projections, particularly for smaller multiplex chains that rely on consistent post-Diwali footfall.

The film’s financial journey underscores a growing challenge for mid-budget Bollywood projects: balancing artistic ambition with commercial practicality in a market increasingly influenced by star power and digital buzz.

Future Outlook

The film’s next few weeks will be crucial in determining its overall verdict. If the movie maintains decent footfalls in smaller centres and secures strong OTT deals, it might still close as an “average performer.” However, the current data suggests that its theatrical run could wrap up under ₹15 crore net.

Producers are reportedly exploring early digital release options to leverage Diwali buzz and social media engagement before audience interest fades completely. Should this strategy succeed, Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat may find post-theatrical success that eluded it in cinemas.

Industry Takeaways

1. Festive Releases Require Distinct Identity – With crowded release windows, a film must offer something unique beyond sentiment and music.

2. Star Power Still Drives Early Numbers – Harshvardhan Rane’s improvement is commendable, but broader audience reach remains a hurdle.

3. OTT Platforms as Safety Nets – In an era where mid-budget films struggle theatrically, streaming partnerships provide vital fallback revenue.

4. Audience Fatigue Post-Festivals – Even strong openings can be undercut by festival crowding, emphasizing the importance of long-term content appeal.

These lessons reinforce how volatile the Indian box office remains, even for well-made films with emotional themes and festive timing.

Conclusion

Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat started strong but soon faced the harsh realities of market competition, audience segmentation, and content fatigue. Despite a solid opening and heartfelt storytelling, its inability to sustain momentum paints a broader picture of Bollywood’s evolving dynamics—where storytelling alone isn’t enough to guarantee box office success.

As the film transitions to its post-theatrical phase, it stands as a reminder of both the risks and rewards of pursuing romance in a changing cinematic landscape.

Disclaimer:

All box office numbers mentioned above are based on early trade estimates and industry tracking data. Final figures may vary as collections are updated. The analysis is intended for informational purposes and reflects public domain data, not official studio statements.

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