The Indian box office witnessed a clash of cinematic giants this weekend, as DC’s new Superman film, Rajkummar Rao’s Malik, and Shanaya Kapoor’s debut Aankhon Ki Gustakhiyan arrived on the same day, each with high hopes of drawing crowds.
DC’s Superman, rebooting its cinematic universe under James Gunn, has captured the imagination of Indian audiences, outperforming expectations with a strong two-day collection of ₹16.5 crore. The film’s ₹9.5 crore collection on day two demonstrates the enduring popularity of superhero films in India, further proving that DC’s new direction has found resonance among fans eager for fresh narratives and high-octane action.
The film has benefited from a massive global marketing push, IMAX and 3D screenings, and strong pre-release buzz on social media, which translated into packed weekend shows across metro cities like Mumbai, Delhi, and Bangalore. With the Indian audience’s growing appetite for Hollywood blockbusters, Superman is poised to maintain its momentum throughout the week if positive word-of-mouth continues to drive footfalls.
In contrast, Rajkummar Rao’s Malik, an action-packed thriller exploring the dark world of politics and power struggles, saw a modest start on day one but recorded a healthy growth on its second day with ₹5.25 crore, taking its total to ₹9 crore. This improvement signals that audiences are gradually connecting with the film, which showcases Rajkummar Rao in an intense and gritty avatar rarely seen in his previous roles.
Malik’s performance is a testament to the rising demand for content-driven Bollywood films that blend strong narratives with commercial elements. If the weekday collections remain steady, Malik could emerge as a solid performer despite stiff competition from Superman, especially in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities where Rajkummar Rao’s fanbase is strong.
However, Shanaya Kapoor’s much-anticipated debut in Aankhon Ki Gustakhiyan struggled to attract viewers despite initial curiosity. The film, co-starring Vikrant Massey, could only collect ₹43 lakhs on its second day, bringing its total to a disappointing ₹73 lakhs over two days. The romantic drama failed to stand out amid the high-profile releases, and early audience feedback suggests the film’s storyline and execution did not meet expectations.
Shanaya Kapoor, daughter of Sanjay Kapoor and Maheep Kapoor, entered Bollywood amid high media attention and social media buzz. However, the film’s underwhelming box office numbers highlight the challenging landscape new actors face, where strong competition and discerning audiences demand more than star kids’ launches to guarantee success.
The dominance of Superman and the resilience shown by Malik indicate that audiences are prioritizing engaging content and large-screen experiences that justify their ticket prices in an increasingly selective post-pandemic cinema environment.
Trade analysts suggest that if Superman continues its current pace, it could comfortably cross the ₹30 crore mark in India within its first week, while Malik could aim for a stable hold around the ₹20 crore mark if it capitalizes on word-of-mouth and multiplex audiences. For Aankhon Ki Gustakhiyan, the road ahead looks challenging, with its low collections making it difficult to cover costs unless it finds unexpected support from digital streaming platforms post-theatrical release.
The next few days will be critical in shaping the final box office verdicts. Will Superman maintain its sky-high momentum and give DC its much-needed global hit? Can Rajkummar Rao’s Malik turn its steady rise into a sleeper success? Will Shanaya Kapoor’s debut manage to recover ground or fade away completely in this competitive weekend?
Stay tuned as we continue to track the Indian box office, where the battle between Hollywood’s superhero might, Bollywood’s new-age thrillers, and star-kid debuts offers a lens into what the Indian audience truly wants from their cinema experience today.