Main Vaapas Aaunga had a disappointing start at the Indian box office, earning approximately Rs. 1.25 crore nett on its opening day. The film was the biggest Hindi release of the week, but its first day performance fell well below industry expectations. The opening day collection was notably lower than many anticipated, especially considering the talent associated with the project. In comparison, Haunted 3D: Echoes of the Past, a film that arrived with limited expectations and a relatively modest scale, reportedly collected nearly twice as much on its first day. Other releases such as Bharat Bhagya Vidhata and Governor, despite being made on smaller budgets, also recorded collections in a similar range to Main Vaapas Aaunga.
Although trade analysts were not expecting the film to open with exceptionally high numbers, the actual result has still come as a surprise. The film features several well known names, both in front of and behind the camera, which had led many to expect a stronger start.
Director Imtiaz Ali has built a reputation for creating films that appeal to a specific audience segment. While his projects have not always been major box office successes, many of them have traditionally managed to secure respectable openings due to his loyal fan base and distinctive storytelling style.
Actor Diljit Dosanjh is another major factor that raised expectations. Over the years, he has established a strong following, particularly in East Punjab, where his films often perform well. Reports suggest that East Punjab delivered comparatively better numbers than other regions for Main Vaapas Aaunga. However, the overall collection remained too low for regional strength to make a significant impact on the nationwide total.
The film now faces an uphill task at the box office. To recover from such a slow start, it would need exceptionally strong word of mouth and a significant rise in audience interest over the coming days. However, early reports suggest that such a turnaround may be difficult.
Advance booking trends for the second day have shown only a slight improvement compared to the opening day. As a result, industry observers are not expecting a major jump in collections during the weekend.
Based on current trends, the film’s first weekend collection is likely to remain below Rs. 5 crore nett. If audience interest does not improve significantly, reaching Rs. 10 crore nett during its entire theatrical run could prove challenging.
The coming days will be crucial in determining whether Main Vaapas Aaunga can attract more viewers or continue to face difficulties at the box office.