If you’ve scrolled through social media this week, you’ve likely seen the high-octane promos for Sidharth Malhotra and Janhvi Kapoor’s new action-thriller, Param Sundari. The film promised slick stunts, glamour, and a patriotic punch. But when the lights came up in theaters on its first day, the box office registers told a different, quieter story.
Based on early estimates from industry trackers, Param Sundari has opened to a lukewarm response, collecting approximately Rs 7 crore nett in India on its first day. For a film with its star power and budget, this number places it firmly in the “disappointing” category and far from the blockbuster start the makers were hoping for.
Breaking Down the Numbers
Let’s talk about what these early figures mean and how they stack up.
How Does Rs 7 Crore Compare?
In today’s theatrical landscape, an opening day collection is a crucial indicator of a film’s word-of-mouth and staying power. For a big-budget action spectacle featuring two popular young stars, a Rs 7 crore start is underwhelming.
To put it in perspective, Sidharth Malhotra’s previous film, the massive hit Shershaah, opened on an OTT platform during the pandemic. His last major theatrical release, Jabariya Jodi (2019), opened at Rs 3.37 crore. While Param Sundari has outperformed that, it hasn’t met the expectations set by its aggressive marketing.
Janhvi Kapoor’s recent theatrical outing, Milli (2022), was a smaller film that opened at Rs 2.75 crore. Param Sundari was expected to be a significant jump from that, which it is, but not enough to be deemed a hit.
The Key Factors Behind the Slow Start
Several reasons are being cited by trade analysts for the film’s tepid opening.
- Genre Fatigue: The audience may be experiencing a slight fatigue from the patriotic-action genre, which has seen several releases in recent years.
- Mixed Advance Booking: Reports from trade circles, including analysts like Taran Adarsh, indicated that advance bookings were not as strong as anticipated, especially in mass-centric circuits which are crucial for such films.
- The OTT Shadow: With a crowded release calendar and the ever-present option to wait for a digital release, many viewers are becoming selective about which films they experience in theaters.
The Road Ahead for Param Sundari
A film’s first-day collection is often driven by marketing and star power. Its fate from day two onward is decided almost entirely by word-of-mouth and audience reviews.
Early audience reactions on social media and review aggregators are mixed. While some viewers are praising the action sequences and Janhvi Kapoor’s performance, others are criticizing a weak screenplay and predictable plot.
The film needs to show significant growth over Saturday and Sunday to have any chance of finding stability. The weekend collection will be its true test. If it fails to jump substantially, a quick fade from theaters is a real possibility, especially with other potential blockbusters waiting in the wings.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the exact Param Sundari box office collection for Day 1?
As is standard, the exact final figure will be confirmed by tomorrow morning. Early estimates from major trade portals peg the collection at around Rs 7 crore nett for its first day in India.
2. How much did Param Sundari cost to make?
While the official budget hasn’t been disclosed, trade estimates suggest the film was made on a budget of approximately Rs 70-80 crore. This makes the Day 1 number particularly concerning for its path to profitability.
3. Is Param Sundari a flop?
It’s too early to declare it a flop. A film’s success is determined by its total lifetime collection against its budget. However, with a start of Rs 7 crore, it has a very steep hill to climb to recover its costs and enter the hit zone. It would need exceptionally strong legs in the coming weeks.
4. Where can I watch Param Sundari online?
The film has just been released in theaters. Its OTT partner and digital release date have not been officially announced yet. Typically, films arrive on a streaming platform 4-8 weeks after their theatrical run.
The Final Takeaway
Param Sundari serves as another example of how a strong marketing campaign can only get you so far. Today’s audiences, armed with countless choices and limited time, are ultimately drawn by strong content and compelling word-of-mouth. For Sidharth and Janhvi, this opening is a setback, proving that in the new era of cinema, a film’s true collection is not just at the box office, but also in the consensus of the crowd.
What did you think of the film? If you’ve seen it, share your review online—your opinion is now the biggest factor that will determine its final box office score.
