According to fresh reports, Dhurandhar collected ₹1.65 crore on its 43rd day at the box office. While the film has finally started losing momentum after an unprecedented run, the numbers remain impressive for a movie running in theatres for over six weeks.
Such sustained performance is rare and highlights the film’s strong word-of-mouth, repeat audience value, and mass appeal. Even at this late stage, Dhurandhar continues to draw audiences, outperforming multiple new releases.
Happy Patel Struggles on Opening Day
In contrast, Happy Patel: Khatarnak Jasoos, directed by Vir Das, struggled to make an impact on its opening day. The spy comedy earned only ₹1.25 crore on Day 1, falling short of expectations despite being a fresh release.
The film recorded an overall 9.57% Hindi occupancy on its opening day, indicating limited audience turnout across theatres. While Happy Patel carries a lighter tone and niche appeal, its performance underscores the current challenge faced by smaller films at the box office.
Budget Difference and Film Scale
It is important to note that Happy Patel: Khatarnak Jasoos is a low-budget film, especially when compared to the scale and spectacle of Dhurandhar. Despite the modest opening, the film is produced by Aamir Khan, who also makes a cameo appearance in the movie.
Being a spy comedy, Happy Patel caters to a specific audience segment rather than the mass market. This makes its box office journey very different from that of Dhurandhar, which has benefited from its grand presentation and wide appeal.
Rahu Ketu Also Disappoints
Another film released during the same week, Pulkit Samrat’s Rahu Ketu, also struggled to find traction at the box office. The film managed to earn only ₹1 crore, further emphasizing the tough theatrical environment for mid-range and smaller releases.
With multiple films failing to cross even modest opening figures, Dhurandhar’s continued success stands out even more prominently.
Vir Das Calls Happy Patel an “Underdog” Film
Addressing the film’s theatrical prospects, Vir Das spoke to PTI, acknowledging the challenges faced by Happy Patel: Khatarnak Jasoos. He described the movie as a small “underdog” film with big dreams, releasing at a time when only large-scale spectacles like Dhurandhar are finding success in theatres.
His statement reflects a broader industry sentiment, where content-driven or smaller films are struggling to compete against high-budget productions that dominate screens and audience attention.
What This Means for the Indian Box Office
The fact that Dhurandhar earned more on Day 43 than Happy Patel did on Day 1 highlights a clear shift in theatrical trends. Audiences are increasingly gravitating toward event films and big-budget spectacles, while smaller films face an uphill battle unless backed by extraordinary word-of-mouth.
This trend raises important questions about release strategies, content positioning, and the future of mid-budget films in theatres.
Final Thoughts
While Dhurandhar’s box office run is finally slowing down, its ability to outperform new releases even after six weeks remains remarkable. On the other hand, Happy Patel: Khatarnak Jasoos and Rahu Ketu reflect the current challenges faced by smaller films in a spectacle-driven theatrical market.
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