By Krishna Dua 
Box Office Report: Son of Sardaar 2 – A Deep Dive into Day 1 Performance and Future Prospects
Ajay Devgn’s much-anticipated sequel, “Son of Sardaar 2,” has arrived in cinemas, facing a fiercely competitive box office landscape. The film, which marks Devgn’s return to the action-comedy genre, has opened to a challenging environment, with its performance heavily scrutinized against a backdrop of established hits and a lukewarm pre-release buzz. Initial reports and advance booking numbers paint a picture of a film that is struggling to find its footing, suggesting it will need exceptional word-of-mouth to thrive. This report provides a detailed analysis of the film’s Day 1 performance, dissecting the various factors that are shaping its box office trajectory.
Day 1 Box Office Collection: The First Indicators
As of the latest reports, “Son of Sardaar 2” has earned an estimated ₹0.11 crore India net on its first day. While this is a very early, live data estimate and the final figures will be updated later, this number indicates a slow start for a film of this scale. This initial figure is a stark contrast to the opening day collections of some of Ajay Devgn’s recent successes, and it puts the film’s performance in a precarious position right out of the gate. Trade analysts had initially projected a Day 1 collection in the range of ₹6.25 crore to ₹6.75 crore, and some reports even suggested a single-digit opening of ₹6 crore to ₹9 crore. The wide disparity between these predictions and the current live data highlights the intense competition and the challenges the film is facing in converting pre-release interest into actual ticket sales.
The Advance Booking Report: A Cause for Concern
The film’s pre-release buzz, a critical indicator for Day 1 footfalls, was underwhelming. The final advance booking sales for “Son of Sardaar 2” registered at approximately ₹2.77 crore gross, which corresponds to a total of 1.59 lakh tickets sold nationwide. While this figure is not insignificant, it falls short of what is expected from a major star like Ajay Devgn and a high-profile sequel. In comparison, Devgn’s previous film, “Raid 2,” had a much stronger advance booking, securing its position among the top pre-sales of the year.
The advance booking trend for “Son of Sardaar 2” showed a limited growth of only 37% in the final 24 hours leading up to its release, signaling a lack of significant last-minute hype. The film also failed to secure a spot in the top five advance booking sales of 2025, which are currently led by films like “Chhaava” and “Sikandar.” Even within its own banner, the advance booking numbers pale in comparison to “Raid 2” which recorded a pre-sale gross of ₹6.52 crore. This weak advance booking suggests that the film’s appeal was not strong enough to attract a rush of ticket purchases from the audience, a crucial factor for a big opening.
The Challenge of Stiff Competition
The biggest obstacle for “Son of Sardaar 2” is the crowded and competitive release window. The film is battling for screen space and audience attention with three formidable opponents:
- “Saiyaara”: Mohit Suri’s romantic drama is now in its third week and continues to dominate the box office. With a total collection of over ₹280 crore, “Saiyaara” is still drawing crowds, particularly among the youth demographic. Trade reports suggest it may even outperform “Son of Sardaar 2” on its opening day, a significant threat to the new release.
- “Mahavatar Narsimha”: This animated mythological film has emerged as a surprise blockbuster. Opening with minimal pre-release buzz, it has thrived on positive word-of-mouth and strong reviews, crossing the ₹44 crore mark in its first week. It has become a wild card that is consistently pulling in audiences, particularly in multiplexes and family-oriented single-screen theaters.
- “Dhadak 2”: Releasing on the same day as “Son of Sardaar 2,” this romantic drama starring Siddhant Chaturvedi and Triptii Dimri is a direct clash. While its advance booking numbers were lower, it is receiving a more focused release and could pose a threat if it garners positive reviews and strong word-of-mouth.
The fierce competition for screens is a major issue. Reports indicate that “Son of Sardaar 2” is struggling to secure a wide release, with many single-screen owners opting to continue running shows for “Saiyaara” and “Mahavatar Narsimha” due to their strong performance. While “Son of Sardaar 2” was banking on a wide release to recover its costs, it may have to settle for a lower screen count, which would significantly impact its earning potential.
The Pre-Release Buzz: A Mixed Bag
The pre-release hype for “Son of Sardaar 2” has been a mixed bag. The trailer, while promising a blend of action and comedy with a new Scottish twist, received mixed reactions. Some viewers enjoyed the slapstick humor and the nostalgic feel of the original, while others felt it was a “loud, logic-less ride that tries too hard to be funny.” The music, particularly the song “Pehla Tu Dujha Tu,” did generate some decent buzz, but it was not enough to create a massive wave of excitement.
One notable aspect of the film’s pre-release reception was the emotional response to the late actor Mukul Dev’s final on-screen appearance in the trailer. This generated a wave of heartfelt reactions from fans, but it remains to be seen if this sentiment translates into increased ticket sales.
Comparison to Previous Ajay Devgn Films
To put the Day 1 performance of “Son of Sardaar 2” into perspective, it’s essential to compare it with Ajay Devgn’s recent and past films.
- “Raid 2”: Devgn’s last release, “Raid 2,” was a massive success. It opened with a strong ₹19.25 crore and went on to become one of his highest-grossing films. The comparison is unfavorable for “Son of Sardaar 2,” highlighting a significant drop in initial audience interest and collections.
- “Son of Sardaar” (2012): The original film, which clashed with Shah Rukh Khan’s “Jab Tak Hai Jaan,” opened with a solid ₹10.72 crore. The sequel’s Day 1 performance, even with a favorable estimate, is likely to be lower than its predecessor, a worrying sign for the franchise.
Conclusion and Future Outlook
The initial box office performance of “Son of Sardaar 2” indicates a challenging road ahead. The film is grappling with an overcrowded market, strong holdover films, and a pre-release buzz that failed to convert into a strong opening. For “Son of Sardaar 2” to succeed, it will need to rely heavily on positive reviews and exceptional word-of-mouth to attract audiences over the weekend. The film has the potential to grow on Saturday and Sunday, especially with the family-friendly genre, but the low starting point means it will have to work much harder to achieve a respectable total. The outcome will depend entirely on how the audience receives the film’s comedy and emotional core, and if it can successfully carve out its own space amidst the competition.
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