Imtiaz Ali's latest film, Main Vaapas Aaunga, initially faced a tepid reception at the box office, despite receiving positive reviews. However, as the film enters
its second week, it appears to be gaining traction, prompting cinema chains to increase the number of screenings in response to a growing audience interest. This shift has sparked optimism among the film's producers and distributors that it may recover and achieve a respectable box-office total. On Saturday, the film's production team announced that major cinema chains, including PVR INOX and Cinepolis India, have added additional showings of Main Vaapas Aaunga in various locations. The film's distributors and exhibitors noted a significant uptick in audience response over the past week. Gautam Dutta, CEO of Revenue & Operations at PVR INOX Limited, emphasized that the film's performance reflects a sustained interest from viewers. “What we're tracking closely with Main Vaapas Aaunga is the shape of its trajectory, not just the topline box office number,” Dutta stated, highlighting the film's steady growth as a positive indicator of genuine audience engagement. Notably, Main Vaapas Aaunga has managed to improve its box office performance despite facing competition from new releases, including Cocktail 2, which features popular stars Shahid Kapoor, Kriti Sanon, and Rashmika Mandanna. The film's ability to attract audiences even in the face of such competition is a promising sign, as cinema chains continue to add screenings to meet the increasing demand. Aditya Chowksey, a distributor for the Central Provinces and Central India circuits, reported that Main Vaapas Aaunga has seen significant growth in its box office collections since its opening day. According to industry insiders, the film's earnings on its second Friday were notably higher than those on its first Friday, indicating a positive trend. The film earned ₹3 crore net during its opening weekend and saw that figure rise to ₹6.25 crore net a week later, marking a remarkable 130% increase on its second Saturday compared to the previous Friday. Main Vaapas Aaunga, which premiered in theaters nationwide on June 12, is a romantic drama set against the backdrop of the Partition, exploring themes across two timelines and generations. The film features a talented cast, including Diljit Dosanjh, Naseeruddin Shah, Sharvari, and Vedang Raina. It is produced by Applause Entertainment and Birla Studios, alongside Mohit Choudhary and Shibasish Sarkar, and has garnered attention for its compelling storytelling and memorable musical score by AR Rahman.
