Box Office Collection: Yami Gautam’s Haq outshines Sonakshi Sinha’s Jatadhara on Day 1?

Will Yami Gautam’s courtroom drama Haq continue to attract audiences and dominate the box office over the weekend while Sonakshi Sinha’s Jatadhara struggles to make an impact on its opening day amid strong competition from other releases?

Mumbai: Emraan Hashmi and Yami Gautam’s legal drama Haq premiered in theaters on Friday, immediately generating buzz among fans of socially relevant films. Based on the landmark Shah Bano Supreme Court case, Haq tells the story of Shazia Bano’s struggle for justice. Produced by Junglee Pictures and directed by Suparn S Varma, the film opened with Rs 1.65 crore at the box office.

While the opening figures are modest compared to big-budget blockbusters, early audience reactions and social media buzz suggest that Haq could see significant growth over the weekend. Viewers praised Yami Gautam’s intense portrayal of Shazia Bano, calling it one of the finest performances of her career. Many fans suggested she could be a strong contender for the National Award next year for her portrayal, noting her convincing acting and emotional depth.

Social Media Buzz Highlights Talent
Twitter was flooded with reactions from fans praising both Yami and Emraan. One fan tweeted that every frame of Haq proved Yami Gautam is “a class apart” and expressed hope that she would be recognized at the National Awards. Another shared that watching Haq reminded them why socially relevant films matter, and praised Yami’s ability to convey the struggles and resilience of her character. Such reactions indicate that the film resonates with audiences on both an emotional and social level.

Jatadhara Sees a Modest Opening
Sonakshi Sinha’s Jatadhara, which co-stars Sudheer Babu from South cinema, had a limited response at the box office, earning Rs 9.5 lakh on its first day. Directed by Abhishek Jaiswal, the film features Shilpa Shirodkar, Indira Krishnan, Ravi Prakash, and Rajiv Kanakala in supporting roles. Jatadhara received mixed reviews from audiences and critics alike, with some praising its effort but noting that it lacks the strong narrative pull of other contemporary releases.

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Predator Badlands Performs Strongly
The Hollywood sci-fi horror film Predator Badlands led international releases, grossing Rs 2.25 crore on Friday. Starring Dimitrius Schuster-Kolomatangi and Elle Fanning, the film has received mixed reviews but remains a favorite among fans of the genre. Its strong performance on opening day shows that Hollywood horror continues to attract Indian audiences alongside domestic releases.

Other Releases Continue to Draw Audiences
Rashmika Mandanna and Dixit Shetty’s The Girlfriend collected Rs 1.30 crore on Friday, showing potential for weekend growth. Meanwhile, older releases continued to perform well. Baahubali The Epic earned Rs 2.8 lakh, adding to its already impressive cumulative collection. Paresh Rawal-starrer The Taj Story collected Rs 1 crore, reflecting consistent audience interest. Ayushmann Khurrana and Rashmika Mandanna’s Thama earned Rs 8 million, and Harshvardhan Rane’s Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat earned Rs 9 crore on Friday, confirming that even films past their initial release can still draw viewers.

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Weekend Outlook and Industry Implications
With the weekend ahead, Haq is expected to gain momentum due to strong word-of-mouth publicity and glowing social media reviews. Jatadhara, however, faces a challenging path to recovery and may need additional marketing push to attract audiences. Predator Badlands and The Girlfriend are also likely to see steady growth, making it a competitive weekend for Indian and international releases.

Audience Engagement Suggests Positive Trends
The early feedback from viewers and critics indicates that films with meaningful narratives are being appreciated even if their budgets are modest. Haq’s courtroom drama, rooted in real-life events, is resonating with audiences who value storytelling and strong performances. Social media reactions suggest that audiences are not only watching the film but also actively engaging in discussions around its themes.