Time-loop comedy ‘Bhool Chuk Maaf’ picks up momentum on Day 2 after theatrical release on May 23 following legal row.
Rajkummar Rao and Wamiqa Gabbi-starrer Bhool Chuk Maaf has witnessed an upward trend at the box office on its second day, collecting ₹9 crore in India. The film, which opened to ₹7 crore on Day 1, has now reached a total domestic collection of ₹16 crore, according to early estimates reported by Sacnilk.com.
Directed by Karan Sharma, the film hit theatres on May 23 after a rocky lead-up to release, including a legal tussle with multiplex chain PVRINOX. The time-loop comedy follows a soon-to-be-married man who finds himself reliving the day before his wedding, caught in a bizarre and hilarious cycle of events.
Growth Despite Mixed Reviews
The film recorded a 25.18% Hindi occupancy rate on Saturday, suggesting growing audience interest despite receiving mixed critical reviews. The Hindustan Times review noted that while the premise was intriguing, the execution fell into clichés: “It tries to be a comedy, flirts with a social message, and ends up being the cinematic equivalent of a WhatsApp forward — familiar, repetitive, and mildly amusing at best.”
While Rajkummar Rao’s performance received the usual praise, critics pointed out his recurring small-town roles. Wamiqa Gabbi was appreciated for bringing freshness to the screen. Supporting actors Sanjay Mishra and Raghubeer Yadav also earned positive mentions.
Performance Compared to Rao’s Recent Films
Bhool Chuk Maaf has performed better than Rajkummar Rao’s last release, Vicky Vidya Ka Woh Wala Video, which earned ₹5.5 crore and ₹6.9 crore on its first two days respectively. However, it still falls short of the success of Rao’s earlier hit Stree 2, which raked in ₹51.8 crore on Day 1 and ₹31.4 crore on Day 2, making it one of the biggest openers of 2024.
Release Controversy and Legal Row
Before its theatrical release, Bhool Chuk Maaf was caught in a controversy involving Maddock Films, Amazon MGM Studios, and multiplex giant PVRINOX. Initially, the film was slated for a May 9 theatrical release but was postponed due to nationwide security drills during Operation Sindoor. It was then announced for a digital premiere on Prime Video on May 16.
This move prompted PVRINOX to approach the court, challenging the decision. Eventually, a consensus was reached between Maddock Films, Amazon MGM Studios, and PVRINOX, leading to the film’s theatrical release on May 23.
As the film enters its third day, all eyes are now on whether Bhool Chuk Maaf can sustain its momentum at the box office and overcome its earlier controversies to emerge as a sleeper hit.
Sources By Agencies
