Dull Start for ‘120 Bahadur’ as ‘De De Pyaar De 2’ Dominates Box Office

New Delhi, November 22, 2025: The much-anticipated espionage thriller, 120 Bahadur, starring Farhan Akhtar, has registered a significantly underwhelming performance on its opening day, pulling in a meager Rs 2.35 crore at the domestic box office. The low figure has sent ripples of concern through the trade, especially given the film’s substantial budget and the star power associated with Akhtar.

The debut is being widely termed as a “dull opening,” falling far short of the industry’s modest expectations for a major Friday release. Critics and trade analysts had projected a figure closer to the Rs 5 to 7 crore mark, banking on Farhan Akhtar’s reputation for delivering intense, quality-driven cinema. However, the initial response from audiences appears muted, failing to translate into the high foot traffic needed for a successful opening day.

The Competition: ‘De De Pyaar De 2’ Maintains a Strong Edge

Adding to the troubles of the new release is the remarkable staying power of last week’s hit, the romantic-comedy sequel De De Pyaar De 2. Now in its second week, the film continues to draw crowds and maintain its strong run. On its eighth day (Day 8), De De Pyaar De 2 collected an estimated Rs 3.50 crore, effectively outpacing the Day 1 collection of the new arrival, 120 Bahadur.

This scenario is rare and signals a massive disparity in audience reception. A week-old film collecting more than a new, major release clearly demonstrates a preference for sustained positive word-of-mouth over initial hype. With this strong performance, De De Pyaar De 2, which stars Ajay Devgn and Rakul Preet Singh, is now sprinting towards the crucial Rs 100 crore milestone, having already amassed a total domestic collection of approximately Rs 92 crore by the end of its second Friday.

Why the Slump? Analysis of the Opening

The industry is currently dissecting the reasons behind 120 Bahadur’s poor performance. Initial reports suggest the film, directed by Rakesh Sharma, has been met with mixed-to-average reviews, lacking the unanimous critical acclaim that often drives Farhan Akhtar’s projects. Furthermore, while the film’s trailer promised high-octane action, the music did not resonate strongly with the audience, failing to build the necessary pre-release buzz.

Moreover, the film may have suffered from a poor release strategy, with a significant number of multiplex screens still allocated to the popular De De Pyaar De 2. The prevailing sentiment appears to be that the audience is prioritizing light, engaging entertainment over a serious-toned espionage thriller, especially in a crowded market. The holdover success of the rom-com is proving to be a formidable competitor, cannibalizing the target audience that might otherwise have opted for the new action film.

The Critical Weekend Ahead

For 120 Bahadur, the performance over the weekend is now absolutely critical. The film urgently needs a massive jump on Saturday and Sunday—ideally a growth of 60% to 75%—to even have a shot at a respectable first weekend total. A lack of growth would put the film in severe jeopardy, risking significant losses for the producers.

The onus now falls on positive audience feedback to propel the box office figures, but the Day 1 figures suggest the word-of-mouth has not yet kicked in. The coming days will determine if the Farhan Akhtar-starrer can manage to reverse its fortunes or if De De Pyaar De 2 will continue to dominate the Indian box office, extending its surprising and profitable reign into a second week.