Farhan Akhtar’s latest release, 120 Bahadur, opened to a modest Rs 2.35 crore on Day 1, marking yet another underwhelming start for the actor at the box office. With this, 120 Bahadur fails to surpass the Day 1 figure of his 2019 drama The Sky Is Pink, which had collected Rs 2.50 crore, despite being a niche, content-driven film that targeted a limited audience segment.
This places 120 Bahadur as Farhan’s sixth film to open under the Rs 3 crore mark, further highlighting his inconsistent record when it comes to strong first-day performances. Only a few of his films, such as Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, and Dil Dhadakne Do, managed to register impactful openings. The rest have struggled to take off, despite Farhan’s credibility as both an actor and filmmaker.
A look at Farhan’s opening day history paints a clearer picture. Films like Rock On!! (Rs 1.66 crore), Luck By Chance (Rs 1.72 crore), Rock On!! 2 (Rs 2.02 crore), Lucknow Central (Rs 2.04 crore), Karthik Calling Karthik (Rs 2.20 crore), and The Sky Is Pink (Rs 2.50 crore) all fall below the Rs 3-crore barrier. With 120 Bahadur joining this list at Rs 2.35 crore, the pattern continues: Farhan’s audience pull on Day 1 has remained limited whenever the film is not part of a high-profile ensemble or backed by massive promotional momentum.
In contrast, his biggest commercial successes opened significantly stronger. Dil Dhadakne Do delivered a solid Rs 10.53 crore, followed by Bhaag Milkha Bhaag at Rs 8.65 crore, and Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara with Rs 8 crore. These films benefitted from star-studded casts, strong marketing, and universal appeal-factors that 120 Bahadur lacked in its pre-release campaign.
Trade notes that while 120 Bahadur had potential due to its patriotic theme and Farhan’s action-oriented transformation, the lukewarm buzz and limited promotional push and mixed to bad reviews ultimately affected its opening.
Whether strong word-of-mouth can help the film grow over the weekend remains to be seen.
Get an chance to win ₹5000 Amazon Voucher by taking part in India's Biggest Habit Index! Take the survey here The TOI Entertainment Desk is a dynamic and dedicated team of jou...
Read MoreThe TOI Entertainment Desk is a dynamic and dedicated team of journalists, working tirelessly to bring the pulse of the entertainment world straight to the readers of The Times of India. No red carpet goes unrolled, no stage goes dark - our team spans the globe, bringing you the latest scoops and insider insights from Bollywood to Hollywood, and every entertainment hotspot in between. We don't just report; we tell tales of stardom and stories untold. Whether it's the rise of a new sensation or the seasoned journey of an industry veteran, the TOI Entertainment Desk is your front-row seat to the fascinating narratives that shape the entertainment landscape. Beyond the breaking news, we present a celebration of culture. We explore the intersections of entertainment with society, politics, and everyday life.
Read Less