Rashmika Mandanna’s latest release The Girlfriend has shown a notable turnaround at the box office. After a comparatively modest opening day, the film recorded an impressive 90%+ jump on Day 2, signalling growing audience interest and improving word-of-mouth traction. However, despite the strong rebound, the film still faces the challenge of reaching its ₹80 crore mark to secure hit status.
A strong second-day comeback
According to early estimates, The Girlfriend collected around ₹2.5 crore on its second day, a considerable rise from its opening numbers. Trade trackers suggest that the film benefitted from better footfall in urban centres and weekend crowd.
The narrative, led by Rashmika’s emotionally intense performance, is reportedly resonating more with youth and multiplex audiences, which contributed to the jump.
But the road to “hit” status is steep
Despite this encouraging growth, the film’s overall recovery benchmark remains high. With production and promotional costs combined, the film needs to collect at least ₹80 crore at the box office to be considered a clean theatrical hit.
Industry analysts note that the film’s weekday trend will be crucial:
- If the film holds above ₹1.5–2 crore per day post-weekend, it may inch closer to breakeven.
- A sharp dip could make the recovery difficult.
Audience reaction so far
The film has sparked discussions online, especially around its theme of possessiveness, individuality, and self-worth in relationships. Rashmika’s performance is being appreciated for its intensity, while reviews for the screenplay are mixed, with some praising its emotional depth and others calling it uneven.
Still, the Day-2 turnaround indicates curiosity and conversation, which may continue to draw younger audiences across metros.
What comes next
The film’s Sunday performance and Monday drop will largely determine its staying power. With no massive direct competitor this weekend in Telugu markets, The Girlfriend has a small window to stabilise its hold.