Despite Janhvi backlash, Peddi nears Rs 300 crore; Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai at Rs 28.51 crore, Bandar flat

The weekend box office battle has produced a clear frontrunner and it is not even a close contest. While several films arrived in cinemas hoping to capture audience attention, Ram Charan's Peddi has emerged as the undisputed champion, posting massive numbers both in India and overseas.

On the other hand, Varun Dhawan's Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai and Bobby Deol's Bandar have found themselves on very different trajectories. One is struggling to convert pre release excitement into ticket sales, while the other is earning praise but not enough footfalls.

Peddi Continues Its Dream Run

Despite generating conversations around its portrayal of the female lead and receiving a mixed critical response, Peddi has shown remarkable strength at the ticket window. The action sports drama, headlined by Ram Charan and Janhvi Kapoor, continues to attract audiences across markets.

The film witnessed another strong day on Sunday, collecting Rs 31.90 crore after earning Rs 26.90 crore on Friday and Rs 28.85 crore on Saturday. With these figures, the film's India gross has climbed to Rs 187.02 crore, while the India net collection now stands at Rs 157.15 crore.

The biggest headline, however, comes from the worldwide total. According to the makers, Peddi has already amassed a staggering Rs 292.5 crore gross globally within just four days of release. The film is now rapidly moving towards the Rs 300 crore milestone, making it one of the strongest performers of the year so far.

Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai Stays Steady

Things have been decent but slightly less encouraging for Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai. Featuring Varun Dhawan alongside Pooja Hegde and Mrunal Thakur, the comedy entertainer entered theatres with considerable expectations. The box office response has not entirely matched the anticipation.

The film opened to a mediocre start and has seen substantial momentum over the weekend. While Sunday brought a welcome boost with approximately 20 per cent growth, the increase was not enough to significantly alter its overall trajectory.

According to the film's team, the movie has collected Rs 28.51 crore so far. Sunday contributed Rs 10.76 crore to that total. Although the numbers indicate some improvement, the film still has considerable ground to cover if it hopes to establish itself as a successful theatrical outing.

Positive Reviews Cannot Rescue Bandar

Anurag Kashyap's Bandar presents a completely different story. The gritty drama starring Bobby Deol opened to largely positive reviews and appreciation from critics. However, strong word of mouth has not translated into meaningful box office gains.

Inspired by real events, the film follows an ageing television actor who finds himself accused of raping his former girlfriend. The intense subject matter and unconventional narrative appear to have limited its commercial appeal despite the praise it has received.

The film opened with Rs 50 lakh and managed to improve slightly over the weekend. Saturday brought in Rs 95 lakh, while Sunday added another Rs 1 crore. Its total collection currently stands at Rs 2.45 crore.

Three Films, Three Different Outcomes

What makes this weekend particularly fascinating is the sharp contrast between the performances of these three releases. Peddi is operating on a massive scale and attracting audiences despite criticism and controversy. Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai is battling underwhelming numbers despite mainstream appeal and a popular cast. Bandar, meanwhile, is proving that positive reviews alone do not always guarantee commercial success.

With the week ahead now underway, all eyes will remain on Peddi's march towards new milestones. As things stand, Ram Charan's latest outing has comfortably won the weekend box office race, leaving its competitors searching for momentum in an increasingly competitive theatrical landscape.

What have you thought about the three big releases this past week? And which is the one that you have seen already? Let us know in the comments down below.