Entertainment

IIEDIGITAL DESK : After a promising start at the box office, Bhool Chuk Maaf, starring Rajkummar Rao and Wamiqa Gabbi, appears to be losing momentum just as it entered the crucial second week of its theatrical run. The film, which was initially expected to become a sleeper hit, has seen a notable dip in collections by Day 12, raising concerns about whether it will be able to sustain long enough to earn the much-coveted 'hit' tag.

Directed by Karan Sharma, Bhool Chuk Maaf debuted with strong critical buzz and moderate opening weekend numbers. Positive word-of-mouth and Rajkummar Rao’s growing fan base had contributed to a steady run during the first week. However, the film's box office graph began to dip from the second weekend onwards, and Day 12’s collection numbers reflect a worrying trend.

The film managed to earn just around ₹1.35 crore on Day 12, bringing its total domestic collection to approximately ₹46.7 crore. Given that the film's reported production and marketing budget is in the ₹55 crore range, the breakeven point is still some distance away. At this pace, Bhool Chuk Maaf may struggle to recover its full costs in the theatrical window, unless it experiences a turnaround or gets a major boost from the coming weekend.

One major reason for the drop in numbers is the arrival of new competition at the box office. Several high-profile releases, both regional and Hindi, have entered theatres in the last few days, drawing away audience attention. Additionally, the ongoing IPL season has further cut into evening and weekend footfalls, which are crucial for a film in its second week.

Bhool Chuk Maaf is still being praised for its performances. Rajkummar Rao’s layered portrayal of a guilt-ridden professor caught between the past and the present has been widely appreciated. Wamiqa Gabbi, too, has received acclaim for her strong screen presence and emotional depth. Critics have lauded the film for its nuanced storytelling and subtle humour, but commercial performance hasn’t quite kept up with the reviews.

Industry insiders suggest that the film’s current trajectory will now depend heavily on its third weekend performance and its performance in multiplex circuits, especially in metros like Mumbai, Delhi, and Bengaluru. Word-of-mouth continues to be positive, but the film may require a last-minute push—possibly in the form of discounted ticket pricing or endorsements from stars—to regain audience interest.

Digital and satellite rights for Bhool Chuk Maaf have reportedly been sold at a decent price, which might cushion the financial shortfall to an extent. However, from a box office perspective, the film’s fading momentum could prevent it from achieving the ‘hit’ verdict it initially seemed poised for.

For Rajkummar Rao, who has had a relatively successful streak recently with films like Monica, O My Darling and Bheed, this stumble could be a minor setback rather than a major concern. Still, for a film that had the potential to surprise commercially, Bhool Chuk Maaf now stands on shaky ground.

Unless the film picks up over the next few days, the chance of it being declared a bona fide box office hit seems to be slipping away—a reminder that even strong performances and good storytelling sometimes need perfect timing and a little box office luck to translate into commercial success.