Indian Cinema's Box Office Mixed Signals: Did Star Power Guarantee Success?

When heavyweight Bollywood talents align on screen, audiences expect fireworks. Yet this week’s global box office report tells a more nuanced story about India’s film market.

The Star-Studded Letdown: De De Pyaar De 2’s Underperformance

Ajay Devgn and R Madhavan joined forces for De De Pyaar De 2, hoping to replicate the 2019 success of the original. However, the sequel failed to ignite the kind of momentum two A-list names should generate.

The romantic comedy, penned by Luv Ranjan alongside Tarun Jain and helmed by Anshul Sharma, opened modestly—crossing $1 million domestically and nearing $2 million globally. While the weekend surge showed promise ($2.8 million India / $4 million worldwide), the trajectory plateaued quickly. By the end of week one, De De Pyaar De 2 had accumulated just $9 million globally, falling short of the original film’s opening weekend performance.

The narrative centers on Devgn’s NRI businessman character—estranged from his wife Tabu, romantically involved with a younger woman (Rakul Preet Singh). Where the first film explored the chaos of confession, this sequel shifts focus to the relationship drama when the young woman brings her older partner to meet her parents, played by R Madhavan and Gautami Kapoor. The ensemble also includes Jaaved Jaaferi and his son Meezan Jaaferi (Malaal).

Despite backing from Luv Films and the combined screen presence of Devgn, Tabu, and Madhavan, De De Pyaar De 2 demonstrates that star power alone cannot overcome an average box office opening.

Rashmika Mandanna’s Winning Strategy with The Girlfriend

In contrast, Telugu cinema proved more resilient. Rashmika Mandanna’s The Girlfriend, which hit screens on November 7, has resonated with both critics and audiences. Directed and written by Rahul Ravindran, the film features Mandanna opposite Deekshith Shetty and Anu Emmanuel.

The film’s box office journey tells a different story: after its opening week collection of $2 million, The Girlfriend crossed $3 million by its second week—demonstrating sustained audience interest and word-of-mouth momentum. This steady climb suggests that regional cinema, particularly Telugu productions with strong female-led narratives, continues to find its footing in the global marketplace.

Kaantha and the Multiregional Box Office Landscape

Adding to the diverse performance metrics, Dulquer Salmaan’s Kaantha (directed by Selvamani Selvaraj) also captured audience attention with a $2.8 million opening weekend, closing its first week near $4 million. The film, featuring Bhagyashree Borse and Rana Daggubati, continues the trend of regional cinema gaining traction globally.

This week’s box office report reveals a complex Indian film market: while big-name Bollywood combinations may underperform, regional films with compelling stories and emerging talent show surprising resilience in global collections.