Mumbai: Despite releasing alongside major Diwali contenders, Harshvardhan Rane and Sonam Bajwa’s romantic drama Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat is quietly holding its own at the box office. While it may not have opened to the fanfare of a blockbuster, the film’s consistent weekday performance and strong word-of-mouth are helping it find a loyal audience.
Modest release, strong start
The film released opposite Thamma, the horror-comedy starring Ayushmann Khurrana, Rashmika Mandanna, and Nawazuddin Siddiqui — a tough slot even for bigger productions. However, Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat surprised many with a ₹9 crore opening, matching the first-day numbers of Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari.
Over the next few days, the film maintained a stable trajectory. It collected ₹7.75 crore on day two, ₹6 crore on day three, ₹5.5 crore on day four, ₹6.25 crore on day five, and ₹7 crore on day six. On Monday, collections dipped to ₹3.35 crore, taking its first-week total to ₹44.85 crore.
Trade analysts noted that such numbers are impressive for a mid-budget film with limited screens, especially when competing with a big festive release.
Facing competition from ‘Thamma’
While Thamma has already crossed ₹90 crore and dominates the urban multiplexes, trade experts believe Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat’s performance is respectable given its scale. The horror-comedy enjoyed nearly three times the show count, giving it a clear advantage in terms of reach.
Box Office India reported that both films are underperforming in the Mumbai circuit. However, optimism remains high for Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat, with positive audience feedback and decent occupancy in smaller towns and tier-2 cities driving its run.
A win for mid-sized cinema
In a market still recovering from the pandemic’s impact on theatrical footfall, the film’s steady performance is being viewed as a small but significant win for mid-budget projects. It reflects a growing appetite among audiences for well-written, emotionally engaging stories — even without the backing of star power or extravagant production values.
Industry observers compare this trajectory to 12th Fail, another mid-scale success that found its strength through word-of-mouth and relatable storytelling. Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat’s gradual growth underscores the same sentiment: content-driven cinema can still thrive amid big-budget spectacles.
Audience response and themes
While critics have pointed out moments of melodrama and emotional excess, audiences have praised the chemistry between Harshvardhan Rane and Sonam Bajwa, along with the film’s soulful soundtrack. However, some sections of viewers and reviewers have criticised the narrative for occasionally glorifying toxic romance.
Still, its relatable emotional core and sincere performances seem to have struck the right chord with a section of the audience, particularly younger viewers.
Outlook for the coming days
With the festive season continuing and no major releases scheduled immediately, Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat could enjoy a few more steady days at the box office. Trade trackers expect the film to close its first extended week around the ₹50 crore mark, a solid return for a film of its scale.
As the post-Diwali market settles, all eyes will be on whether the film can sustain its pace into the second weekend. For now, Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat stands as another reminder that strong storytelling and emotional resonance can still create space for mid-range films in India’s evolving box office landscape.