Bollywood’s box office this festive season is heating up with a romantic storm titled Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat. Starring Harshvardhan Rane and Sonam Bajwa, the film has turned into a surprise performer of the week. Despite clashing with the much-hyped horror-comedy Thamma, the movie managed to maintain a solid grip on Day 2, inching close to the ₹15 crore mark in just two days.
Industry experts are calling it one of the strongest holds for a mid-budget romantic drama this year, signaling that audiences still have room in their hearts for pure love stories amidst the flood of action and thriller flicks.
A Promising Opening Day
Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat opened on October 21, 2025, across around 1,200 screens in India. Despite facing distribution challenges due to Thamma’s wider release, the Harshvardhan-Sonam starrer collected an impressive ₹8.50 crore net on Day 1.
According to trade analysts, this opening was above expectations, especially for a non-franchise film without any major production house backing it. Morning shows began modestly with around 25% occupancy but quickly picked up by evening, crossing 40% in major cities like Delhi, Jaipur, and Mumbai.
The romantic chemistry between Rane and Bajwa and the film’s emotionally charged songs played a key role in pulling crowds to the theatres. Social media buzz also helped generate curiosity, with clips from the film trending under hashtags like #EkDeewaneKiDeewaniyat and #SonamBajwaMagic.
Day 2 Performance: Holding Strong
The real test for any Bollywood release begins on its second day — and Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat passed it with flying colors. Early estimates suggest that the film collected around ₹7.50 to ₹8 crore net on Day 2, taking its two-day total close to ₹15.5 crore.
That’s only a 10–15% drop from its opening day, an excellent hold given the competition. Occupancy increased during evening shows on Wednesday, driven largely by family audiences and young couples, especially in North Indian circuits.
In fact, Jaipur, Chandigarh, and Lucknow witnessed a 15–20% growth in footfall compared to Tuesday night shows a clear sign of positive word-of-mouth spreading fast.
Clash With Thamma: David vs. Goliath
Releasing alongside Thamma, a horror-comedy starring Ayushmann Khurrana and Rashmika Mandanna, was a risky move. Thamma had a strong marketing push and secured over 2,000 screens nationwide.
However, despite the tough clash, Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat managed to find its own audience base. Trade reports reveal that the film’s limited 40% screen share did not stop it from posting consistent occupancy numbers.
Cinema trade tracker Taran Adarsh commented on X (formerly Twitter):
“#EkDeewaneKiDeewaniyat defies odds! Despite clash with #Thamma, the film shows steady hold on Day 2. Word of mouth positive. May emerge a sleeper hit if momentum continues.”
Audience Reactions and Reviews
While critics have offered mixed reviews praising the lead performances but pointing out a predictable plot — the audience response tells a different story.
Fans on social media are calling it a “refreshing romantic experience” reminiscent of early 2000s Bollywood love sagas. The film’s music album, composed by Mithoon, is being hailed as one of the best of 2025, with songs like “Tere Bina Main Adhura” and “Ishq Mein Junoon” topping streaming charts.
Here’s what some viewers had to say online:
- “Sonam Bajwa’s screen presence is pure magic! The movie deserves to be a hit.”
- “After a long time, a romantic drama that made me cry and smile at the same time.”
- “Harshvardhan Rane is underrated his intensity makes the film special.”
The emotional resonance and heartfelt performances seem to be the driving forces behind the film’s steady performance.
Regional Breakdown: North Dominates the Collections
According to early trade estimates:
- Delhi NCR & Punjab: 42% occupancy on Day 2 (highest across India)
- Mumbai Circuit: 33% occupancy, showing steady growth post evening shows
- South Markets: 15–25% occupancy, comparatively lower response
- Tier 2 Cities: Jaipur, Lucknow, Chandigarh — reported packed house shows
The film’s North Indian flavour and music-heavy storytelling clearly connect better with Hindi-speaking audiences than multiplex-heavy urban zones.
Budget and Profit Margin
Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat reportedly cost around ₹25 crore to make (excluding promotions). Considering the first two days’ strong performance, trade analysts predict that the film could break even within its first weekend itself.
Satellite and digital rights have also been pre-sold to JioCinema and Colors TV, securing a comfortable recovery for the producers. This ensures that any additional box office income will directly contribute to profits.
If the film manages to cross ₹40 crore by the end of the first week, it could easily enter the “hit” zone by trade standards.
Weekend Predictions: Can It Sustain the Buzz?
With a strong start and growing word-of-mouth, the coming weekend will decide the ultimate fate of Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat.
If the film maintains a 10–15% growth trajectory, trade experts estimate it could collect:
- Day 3 (Thursday): ₹8.5–9 crore
- Day 4 (Friday): ₹10–11 crore (holiday boost)
- Weekend Total: ₹35–38 crore net
If these trends hold, the film will likely cross the ₹50 crore mark by the end of its extended Diwali week — making it one of the most profitable romantic dramas of the year.
Why the Film Is Working
Challenges Ahead
While the film’s momentum is encouraging, it faces challenges too:
- Limited screens restrict its box office potential.
- Thamma continues to dominate multiplex circuits.
- New releases next week (Raaz-e-Dil and Fighter 2) may impact its long-term run.
Still, if the movie maintains steady weekday numbers, it could emerge as a “word-of-mouth winner” much like Zara Hatke Zara Bachke and Satyaprem Ki Katha did in previous years.
Trade Verdict: A Surprise Diwali Winner
As of now, Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat is holding its own against a stronger rival and proving that content-driven romantic stories can still charm audiences.
If it continues this trajectory, it may soon join the ranks of 2025’s biggest surprise hits. For Harshvardhan Rane, it could be a turning point in his career establishing him as a bankable romantic lead in mainstream Bollywood.
Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat is a reminder that heartfelt storytelling never goes out of fashion. With a near ₹15 crore haul in just two days and glowing audience response, the film stands tall in a competitive box office landscape.
Whether it ultimately becomes a blockbuster or not, one thing is clear love still sells in Bollywood.
