John Abraham’s career has seen several hits over the years, with his most recent projects creating much buzz. Among them are The Diplomat (2025) and Vedaa (2024), two action-packed films that had high expectations. In this comparison, we’ll look at the opening weekend box office performance of both movies and assess how The Diplomat has fared better than Vedaa, even with a shorter theatrical run.
The Diplomat’s Solid Opening
The Diplomat, John Abraham’s latest film, hit theatres on March 14, 2025, just in time for the Holi festival. Despite being a solo release, the film’s opening performance has been strong. The political actioner opened with Rs 4 crore on its first day (Friday), and it saw steady growth throughout the weekend. On Saturday, it collected Rs 4.5 crore, followed by Rs 4.75 crore on Sunday, bringing its total opening weekend collection to Rs 13.25 crore.
It’s worth noting that The Diplomat benefited from being a solo release at the box office, without any major competition except for the holdover films Chhaava and Namastey London. This allowed the film to maintain a steady momentum over the opening weekend.
Vedaa’s Disappointing Run
In contrast, Vedaa—released on August 15, 2024—had a relatively poor opening despite the excitement surrounding John Abraham’s involvement. The film, which also starred Sharvari, opened on Thursday with a modest Rs 6.25 crore. However, the following days saw a steep decline in collections. On Friday, it dropped to Rs 1.50 crore, Saturday earned Rs 1.80 crore, and Sunday saw a slight recovery with Rs 2 crore. The total earnings for Vedaa during its extended opening week stood at Rs 11.55 crore.
However, it’s important to note that Vedaa had a four-day extended opening week due to its release on Independence Day, but its performance was severely affected by stiff competition. The film clashed with Khel Khel Mein and Stree 2, both of which also targeted the same audience, contributing to Vedaa’s disappointing performance.
The Verdict: The Diplomat Outshines Vedaa
When comparing the two films, it’s clear that The Diplomat has outperformed Vedaa in terms of opening weekend business. In just three days, The Diplomat collected Rs 13.25 crore, surpassing Vedaa’s four-day total of Rs 11.55 crore. Moreover, The Diplomat has had the advantage of being a solo release, whereas Vedaa struggled in the face of significant competition.
This comparison highlights how The Diplomat is off to a better start than Vedaa, despite both films having action-driven themes and featuring John Abraham. Fans and industry experts will be watching closely to see if The Diplomat can maintain its momentum in the coming weeks, especially given its stronger opening performance.
