In the realm of the Bollywood box office, two contrasting narratives have emerged, with Fighter soaring to new heights while Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya captivates audiences with its unique storyline.
Fighter, directed by Siddharth Anand and starring Hrithik Roshan, Deepika Padukone, and Anil Kapoor, initially faced a lukewarm response upon its release on January 25, opening with a disappointing collection of 22.5 crore. However, the film experienced a remarkable turnaround in its second weekend, now surpassing the 300 crore mark in worldwide collections.
The epic aerial actioner follows the characters of Squadron Leader Shamsher Pathania (Hrithik Roshan), Squadron Leader Minal Rathore (Deepika Padukone), and Group Captain Rakesh Jai Singh (Anil Kapoor), along with other members of the elite IAF unit, Air Dragons. Paying tribute to the valour, sacrifice, and patriotism of the Indian armed forces, Fighter has resonated with audiences globally.
Despite its initial setback, Fighter has proven its resilience at the box office, crossing the 300 crore milestone within just 10 days of release. As per the latest update by the makers, the film has now amassed a staggering 337 crore in total collections, solidifying its position as a blockbuster.
Meanwhile, Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya, a rom-com AI film released on February 9, has captured the attention of audiences with its unique narrative. Starring Shahid Kapoor and Kriti Sanon, the film revolves around a love story in the world of artificial intelligence, where Shahid's character develops feelings for an intelligent female robot portrayed by Kriti.
Despite its relatively low expectations, Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya enjoyed a strong opening weekend, netting Rs 10.50 crore on Sunday alone, bringing its total to Rs 26.85 crore domestically and Rs 55.10 crore worldwide. The film has already surpassed the lifetime collections of Shahid Kapoor's last theatrical release, Jersey, and Kriti Sanon's last film, Ganapath.
Shahid Kapoor's return to the romance genre has been well-received by fans, with his delightful performance resonating with audiences. Although better numbers were anticipated, given the film's hit music and Shahid's return to romantic roles, the collections have been decent.
Moreover, Teri Baaton Mein Uljha Jiya also achieved a significant milestone overseas, becoming the biggest opener for Shahid Kapoor with a weekend collection of USD 2.4 million. Surpassing the numbers of his previous blockbuster, Kabir Singh, the film has set a new benchmark for Kapoor's overseas box office success.
Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya faces the crucial Monday test to determine its lifetime trending. However, with no major releases lined up for the month, the film has the opportunity to maintain its momentum at the box office. Its free run at the box office, coupled with Hrithik Roshan's Fighter as its only competition, bodes well for its long-term performance.
Directed by debut directors Amit Joshi and Aradhana Sah, Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya has resonated with audiences for its innovative storyline and stellar performances. As it continues its theatrical run, the film aims to build upon its initial success and establish itself as a memorable addition to Bollywood's romantic genre.