India Box Office: It was one of the busiest weekends at the Indian box office this year, with films arriving across multiple languages and genres. From Ram Charan’s much-awaited Peddi to Varun Dhawan’s Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai, Anurag Kashyap’s Bandar, Marathi horror-comedy Tumbadchi Manjula, and several Malayalam releases, audiences had plenty of choices.
Yet despite the crowded marketplace, one film stood far ahead of the competition. Peddi dominated the weekend with a massive ₹157.15 crore extended opening weekend. However, the film’s post-opening trend has already become a talking point within trade circles, while several other releases delivered mixed results across the country.
Peddi Dominates, But Weekdays Will Decide Its Trajectory
Ram Charan’s Peddi comfortably topped the weekend chart with an extended opening weekend total of ₹157.15 crore net in India. The film began with ₹18.50 crore in paid previews before collecting ₹51 crore on its opening day. Collections then settled at ₹26.90 crore on Friday, ₹28.85 crore on Saturday, and ₹31.90 crore on Sunday.
There is no denying that these are huge numbers. The film has already established itself as one of the biggest Telugu openings of 2026 and has generated strong worldwide numbers during its first four days.
However, the conversation now shifts to sustainability. After a ₹51 crore opening day, the film could not maintain that initial momentum over the remainder of the weekend. The Sunday jump was healthy, but the weekdays will now determine whether Peddi can translate its massive opening into a genuinely historic theatrical run. For now, the opening is extraordinary; the long-term verdict remains dependent on audience retention through the week.
Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai Opens Modestly
Varun Dhawan’s Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai opened with ₹7.50 crore on Friday, remained flat at ₹7.50 crore on Saturday, and improved to ₹9 crore on Sunday, ending its opening weekend with ₹24 crore net.
While the film managed reasonable weekend growth, the overall numbers are modest for a mainstream Hindi commercial entertainer. The film never generated the kind of momentum needed to emerge as a major box-office force despite arriving with a recognizable star and a family-comedy setup.
The opening also continues a challenging theatrical phase for Varun Dhawan. Following the underwhelming performances of Baby John and Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari, the actor is still searching for a clear solo box-office success. If reports about the film’s substantial budget are accurate, the coming weeks will be crucial in determining its theatrical outcome.
Tumbadchi Manjula Emerges as a Marathi Success Story to Watch
Among the smaller releases, Marathi horror-comedy Tumbadchi Manjula quietly delivered one of the more encouraging performances of the weekend with ₹3.25 crore.
The number may appear modest compared to the national releases, but Marathi cinema has repeatedly shown that strong word of mouth can transform a healthy opening into a major theatrical success. Several Marathi hits have built their business gradually over multiple weeks rather than relying on front-loaded openings.
Having secured a promising start, Tumbadchi Manjula now enters the crucial word-of-mouth phase. If audience reception remains strong, it could emerge as one of the surprise success stories of the season.
Bandar Fails to Convert Acclaim Into Collections
Anurag Kashyap’s Bandar collected ₹2.45 crore over its opening weekend, making it one of the weaker performers among the major releases. The result is particularly disappointing because the film entered the weekend with positive reviews and strong critical support. The combination of Kashyap’s reputation as a filmmaker and Bobby Deol’s return in a leading role generated curiosity among cinephiles, but that interest did not translate into meaningful box-office business.
For Bobby Deol, the film also represents a rare solo theatrical release after his resurgence in recent years. Unfortunately, the opening numbers suggest that critical appreciation alone has not been enough to drive audiences to theatres.
Malayalam Releases Fight for Space
The Malayalam market witnessed a close contest between Parimala and Co and Mollywood Times. Parimala and Co led the race with ₹5.83 crore, while Mollywood Times followed closely with ₹5.56 crore. Neither film emerged as a breakout success over the weekend, but both managed respectable numbers despite facing competition from larger national releases. Their weekday performance will now determine whether either title can build sustained momentum in the Kerala market.
Kuruppu Continues Its Remarkable Run
While the new releases grabbed attention, Kuruppu once again proved to be one of the strongest holdovers in the market. The film collected ₹0.83 crore on Friday, ₹1.47 crore on Saturday, and ₹1.75 crore on Sunday, taking its fourth-weekend total to ₹4.05 crore.
Its overall India net collection now stands at an impressive ₹193.40 crore.The steady weekend growth demonstrates that audience interest remains intact even in the film’s fourth week. With the ₹200 crore milestone now within touching distance, Kuruppu continues to strengthen its position among the year’s biggest success stories.
India Box Office: Weekend Ranking
- Peddi — ₹157.15 Cr (including previews)
- Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai — ₹24.00 Cr
- Parimala and Co — ₹5.83 Cr
- Mollywood Times — ₹5.56 Cr
- Kuruppu — ₹4.05 Cr (Fourth Weekend)
- Tumbadchi Manjula — ₹3.25 Cr
- Bandar — ₹2.45 Cr
The Weekend in Perspective
The Indian box office delivered a busy and competitive weekend, but the marketplace ultimately revolved around Peddi. Ram Charan’s film towered above every other release, though its weekday trend will now be watched closely.
Below it, Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai managed a modest start, Bandar struggled despite strong reviews, Tumbadchi Manjula emerged as an early Marathi success story, and Kuruppu continued its impressive march toward the ₹200 crore club. As the industry heads into the weekdays, the next few days are likely to shape the fate of several of these releases.
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