Day 43 and Dhurandhar still BEATS new releases Happy Patel and Rahu Ketu at the box office

The box office finally shows signs of slowing down for Aditya Dhar’s Dhurandhar, but the film is far from done. After an extraordinary theatrical run, the film may have eased its pace, yet it continues to set benchmarks that new releases are finding hard to cross. Even on day 43, Dhurandhar remains competitive in a market that has welcomed fresh titles this week.

On Friday, which marked the completion of six weeks in theatres, Dhurandhar collected Rs 1.65 crore. What makes this figure stand out is the context. Newly released films hitting screens the same day could not match that number on their opening day. In an industry where newness usually dictates momentum, this performance highlights just how steady Dhurandhar’s audience support continues to be.

Dhurandhar’s Sixth Week Still Holds Strong

Reaching the seventh week in theatres is rare territory, and sustaining meaningful collections at this stage is even rarer. Dhurandhar’s Rs 1.65 crore on day 43 places it ahead of multiple new releases that are still trying to find their footing. While the film has finally seen a drop compared to its earlier weeks, its hold suggests strong recall value and continued footfalls across centres.

The film’s consistency is now becoming its biggest talking point. At a time when most titles fade out or slip into negligible numbers after a month, Dhurandhar continues to operate in a space usually reserved for opening weekends. This long run reflects audience loyalty that has extended well beyond the initial rush.

Happy Patel Khatarnak Jasoos Opens Below Expectations

One of the fresh releases this week was Happy Patel Khatarnak Jasoos, directed by Vir Das. Despite positive responses from viewers and critics, the film had a slow start at the ticket windows. On its first day, the spy comedy earned Rs 1.25 crore, which placed it below Dhurandhar’s day 43 collection.

The film registered an overall Hindi occupancy of 9.57% on day 1. While the numbers are modest, the context matters. Happy Patel is mounted on a smaller scale and aims largely at an urban audience. It also features Aamir Khan as the producer, along with a cameo appearance, which had raised expectations prior to release.

Strong Reviews but Slow Initial Footfall

Happy Patel Khatarnak Jasoos has been appreciated for its writing, narrative choices, music, and humour. The cast includes Mona Singh, Mithila Palkar, Sharib Hashmi, and Srushti Tawade, with special appearances by Aamir Khan and Imran Khan. Vir Das, who plays the lead, also makes his debut as a director with this project.

Despite encouraging word of mouth, the opening day response at the box office remained muted. Films driven by conversation often see growth over the weekend, and the coming days will determine whether audience interest translates into stronger collections.

Rahu Ketu Fails to Capitalise on Opening Day

Pulkit Samrat’s Rahu Ketu also arrived in cinemas this week with hopes of a solid start. However, the film managed to collect Rs 1 crore on its first day, according to early trade reports. This placed it behind both Dhurandhar and Happy Patel on Friday.

The Hindi occupancy for Rahu Ketu stood at 6.90%, with relatively better attendance during evening and night shows. Even so, the film could not generate the traction expected from a new release. As a result, it also found itself trailing a film that has already completed 43 days in theatres.

Weekend Crucial for New Releases

With both Happy Patel Khatarnak Jasoos and Rahu Ketu opening to restrained numbers, the weekend becomes critical. If neither film witnesses a noticeable rise in collections, Dhurandhar may continue to outperform them despite being deep into its seventh week.

The current box office scenario underlines a clear trend. Sustained audience interest can outweigh novelty. As things stand, Dhurandhar’s long run remains the bigger story, proving that even after six weeks, a strong theatrical presence can still dominate over fresh arrivals.

Do you think Rahu Ketu and Happy Patel have a chance to cross over Rs 10 crore at the box office? Let us know in the comments below.