Four films released on Friday – Rajkummar Rao's Bhul Chuk Maaf, Sunil Shetty's Kesari Veer, Tusshar Kapoor's Kampkapi, and Amit Sadh's Pune Highway – presented an interesting opening day box office battle, given their diverse genres.
Box Office Collection Day 1: May 23rd saw several major films vying for box office dominance. This day witnessed the release of films spanning various genres including comedy, historical drama, murder mystery, and horror-comedy. These included Rajkummar Rao's 'Bhul Chuk Maaf', Sunil Shetty starrer 'Kesari Veer', Tusshar Kapoor's 'Kampkapi', and Amit Sadh's 'Pune Highway'.
While each film's genre differed significantly, their opening day box office reception varied considerably. Let's examine which film had a b start and which underperformed.
Bhul Chuk Maaf's Impressive Debut
Rajkummar Rao's comedy film, Bhul Chuk Maaf, created a significant buzz at the box office on its first day. Initial expectations were somewhat uncertain, particularly due to controversies surrounding its OTT and theatrical release. However, the film captivated audiences upon its release. Directed by Karan Sharma, the film's unique comedic style resonated bly with viewers.
According to early trade reports from Saknilk, Bhul Chuk Maaf earned a total of ₹6.75 crore on its opening day. This surpasses the opening day collections of major 2025 releases like The Diplomat, Deva, and Emergency, placing it at the top of the box office. This impressive debut also marks the fourth-highest opening of Rajkummar Rao's career.
The film's comedic and entertaining storyline has generated significant discussion among audiences, leading to expectations of even better earnings in the coming days.
Kesari Veer's Disappointing Opening
Conversely, the historical film Kesari Veer failed to garner significant audience appreciation on its opening day. Despite a star cast including Sunil Shetty, Suraj Pancholi, and Vivek Oberoi, and a story based on the brave warriors who sacrificed their lives protecting the Somnath temple, the film underperformed at the box office.
Saknilk reports indicate that Kesari Veer earned only ₹25 lakh on its first day, significantly below expectations given its budget. Produced on a hefty budget of approximately ₹60 crore, this low earning is a cause for concern. The film failed to connect with audiences on the level of storytelling and direction that was hoped for, resulting in a significant initial setback at the box office.
Kampkapi Shows a Moderate Rise
Tusshar Kapoor and Shreyas Talpade's horror-comedy, Kampkapi, also failed to make a significant impact on the box office on its first day, although it performed slightly better than Kesari Veer. Directed by Sangit Sivan, the film aimed to provide audiences with a fresh and light-hearted horror-comedy experience, but it fell short of a blockbuster opening.
According to Saknilk's early trade reports, Kampkapi earned ₹26 lakh on its opening day. Produced on a budget of approximately ₹25 crore, its business currently appears far from profitable. While its earnings surpassed those of Kesari Veer, it still needs considerable effort to establish a b foothold at the box office.
Pune Highway's Opening Also Under Scrutiny
Detailed information regarding the earnings of Amit Sadh's Pune Highway is yet to emerge, but it appears to have also lagged in attracting significant audience attention. The film's genre and promotion were both limited, leading to a comparatively slow opening. In the major cinematic clash of May 23rd, Bhul Chuk Maaf proved to be the only film that truly resonated with the audience, generating a healthy collection. In contrast, higher-budget films like Kesari Veer and Kampkapi faced significant box office challenges.
