The romantic thriller O’ Romeo has opened to an estimated Rs. 8 crore nett at the Indian box office on its first day. While the figure is respectable in the current theatrical climate, it falls short of what the film ideally required given its reported production and marketing costs. Nevertheless, the opening is marginally better than the last two releases starring Shahid Kapoor — Teri Baaton Main Uljha Jiya (Rs. 6.50 crore) and Devaa (Rs. 5.50 crore).
Though O’ Romeo edges ahead numerically, trade sources suggest that the difference between the three films is minimal in practical terms. With some overlap and “feeding” in collections being speculated, the actual gap may be narrower than it appears. Essentially, all three films have performed within a similar opening-day range, reflecting steady but unspectacular audience turnout.
In the present market scenario, a start around Rs. 8 crore for a mid-to-high budget film is considered fair. Even lighter romantic comedies have been launching in this bracket recently. However, O’ Romeo is positioned more as a thriller with romantic undertones, and expectations were slightly higher due to its genre appeal and promotional push. Given the financial stakes, the film ideally needed a stronger start to ensure a smoother recovery trajectory.
All eyes are now on the weekend performance, especially with Valentine’s Day falling tomorrow. Although it is not an official public holiday, February 14 has historically proven to be a lucrative occasion for romantic and youth-oriented films. Since O’ Romeo caters to younger audiences and carries a love-story angle, it stands to benefit from the celebratory mood. A noticeable spike on Saturday is anticipated, potentially stronger than a standard weekend jump.
If the film can capitalize on the Valentine’s Day factor, the weekend total may reach approximately Rs. 27–28 crore. Achieving this target would give the film a reasonable cushion heading into the weekdays. However, the real test will come on Monday. Sustained collections post-weekend will determine whether O’ Romeo can maintain momentum or succumb to the typical weekday drop that affects films with moderate openings.
Even if the film manages to touch the projected weekend figure, recovery of costs remains uncertain. Still, a steady run over the next two weeks could help stabilize its box office journey. The industry is currently experiencing a relatively quiet phase, and the next major release, Dhurandhar 2, is scheduled for arrival next month. Until then, O’ Romeo has a window to consolidate its position without facing massive competition.
Among the new releases, Tu Yaa Main has recorded a modest opening of approximately Rs. 50 lakhs nett. The figure is undeniably low, indicating limited initial audience pull. However, early reception from viewers appears positive. If word of mouth turns favorable and the film shows growth over the weekend, it may gradually improve its standing and secure a respectable extended run.
Meanwhile, the holdover releases continue their box office journeys with predictable weekday drops. Border 2 and Mardaani 3 have both declined by around 40 percent compared to the previous day. For Border 2, this drop is hardly concerning, as the film has already emerged as a hit and is steadily marching toward the impressive Rs. 300 crore nett milestone. Its strong cumulative total ensures its commercial success is firmly established.
Mardaani 3, on the other hand, is holding decently in the face of new competition. The drop is within expected limits and keeps the film on track for a final tally in the vicinity of Rs. 50 crore nett. While not a blockbuster, it represents a stable and satisfactory run.
Overall, the coming days will be crucial for O’ Romeo. A solid Valentine’s Day surge followed by consistent weekday performance could help it navigate a competitive yet relatively subdued box office landscape.