The big Bollywood release of the week, De De Pyaar De 2, is arriving during a time when mid-budget films are struggling to find their footing in theatres. While sequels usually enjoy a built-in advantage, Ajay Devgn’s latest rom-com drama faces a tough question: will audiences show up in large numbers on opening day, or will the film be completely dependent on word-of-mouth to build momentum?
This box office preview breaks down everything you need to know before the film hits theatres.
The Sequel Advantage and the New Box Office Reality
Why sequels usually work
In the post-pandemic era, sequels have been one of the safest bets for Bollywood. Franchises such as Drishyam, Tiger, and Stree have shown that viewers prefer familiar story worlds. Even films that weren’t direct sequels have used franchise-style branding to attract early interest.
Ajay Devgn has been part of this trend. His recent films Drishyam 2 and Raid 2 performed strongly, while Singham Again saw a decent response earlier this year. On the flip side, Son of Sardaar 2 could not recreate the magic of the original.
But times have changed since 2019
When the first De De Pyaar De released in 2019, the theatrical market was healthier. The film opened at around Rs 8 crore and went on to collect Rs 95 crore nett in India, making it a well-liked success.
However, the landscape in 2025 is very different. Streaming platforms have eaten into the theatrical audience base, particularly for mid-scale films like rom-coms and family entertainers. Unlike big action films or event movies, smaller films rarely get strong openings anymore.
The only rom-com to break this pattern post-pandemic has been Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar, and even that film benefited from partial holiday runs in several regions.
De De Pyaar De 2’s Early Signs: A Slow Start
Advance booking numbers are soft
Despite a well-cut trailer and the goodwill of the 2019 original, the advance booking figures for De De Pyaar De 2 are on the lower side. As of the time of writing, fewer than 20,000 tickets had been sold across major national chains. The number may inch up to around 30,000 by Thursday night, but that still signals a lukewarm start.
For context, films aiming for a double-digit opening at the box office usually clock far higher advance sales, often upwards of 70,000 to 1 lakh tickets in national chains alone.
Expected opening-day numbers
Industry estimates suggest that the film’s opening day collections may hover around the original’s figure of Rs 8 crore nett. But given the current booking pace, even achieving that will require strong walk-ins on Friday, especially during the evening and night shows.
The film therefore needs a significant push from audiences on day one itself. If the reception is positive, night shows could see a bump. If early reviews and viewer reactions drift toward the negative, the film might struggle to reach the expected opening.
Can Word-of-Mouth Save the Day?
The rom-com survival formula
In today’s theatrical market, rom-coms rely heavily on word-of-mouth. The genre depends on emotional connect, relatability, and feel-good moments rather than spectacle. This means audiences decide quickly whether a film is “worth watching in theatres” or “safe to wait for OTT.”
De De Pyaar De 2 finds itself in exactly this scenario. The film’s fate will be determined less by advance bookings and more by audience reactions after the first few shows.
Why WOM matters even more this time
The sequel is arriving at a time when:
- the original still enjoys goodwill
- mid-scale films struggle for Day 1 traction
- theatrical footfalls depend on strong reviews
- audiences prefer binge-watching rom-coms on streaming platforms
For the sequel to succeed, it needs:
- a positive response to Ajay Devgn’s performance
- strong chemistry between the cast
- fresh humor, emotional depth, and clean family entertainment
- a narrative that feels relevant to 2025 audiences
If the film hits these beats, collections could rise significantly on Saturday and Sunday.
Comparing with Ajay Devgn’s Recent Box Office Journey
Strong successes: Drishyam 2, Raid 2
Both films received exceptional word-of-mouth and saw sharp weekend jumps after average openings. They were driven by suspense, investigation drama, and solid storytelling, genres that traditionally perform well in theatres.
Moderate performance: Singham Again
Singham Again opened well due to franchise hype, but did not go on to become the massive blockbuster many expected. Still, it earned enough to be deemed a decent success.
Failures: Son of Sardaar 2
This film demonstrated that not every sequel automatically clicks. Audiences need something fresh, not merely a recycled formula.
De De Pyaar De 2 must aim to align with the Drishyam 2 model, where the emotional hooks and character arcs did the heavy lifting.
What the Film Needs to Break Through
A strong Friday evening
If the film manages to pick up momentum in the evening shows, it could offset the weak advance bookings.
A family-friendly appeal
Romantic comedies often see good traction with couples and family audiences on weekends. If the content connects, the Saturday and Sunday jumps could be significant.
Music and humor landing well
The first film was appreciated for its lighthearted tone and breezy soundtrack. If the sequel delivers the same charm, it may win over viewers quickly.
Competition and timing
The film has a fairly open box office window with no major releases crowding it in the same week. This gives it breathing room to grow, provided the feedback is positive.
Box Office Prediction: A Test of Audience Goodwill
De De Pyaar De 2 is arriving at a challenging moment for its genre. With modest advance bookings and lukewarm pre-release buzz, the film is unlikely to take off with a bang. However, the sequel still has a chance to turn things around through strong word-of-mouth.
If the audience loves the film, the weekend could show healthy growth, potentially taking it to a respectable first-week total.
If the feedback is average or negative, the collections may stay flat after the initial curiosity fades.
Ultimately, the fate of De De Pyaar De 2 hinges on whether audiences decide to “de de pyaar” in the form of positive word-of-mouth.
