Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai, starring Varun Dhawan, Pooja Hegde, and Mrunal Thakur, opens with a modest Rs. 7.50 crore on its first day, despite being a comedy drama. This is an underwhelming start, especially considering the film's star-studded cast and renowned director, David Dhawan. The movie's performance is further impacted by the presence of discount offers, which may have attracted price-conscious audiences. However, the film is expected to grow in popularity over the weekend, with projections of around Rs. 20 crore nett by the end of the first weekend. The rom-com genre, which is already struggling in the post-pandemic era, faces challenges due to the shift towards digital platforms and the shorter 8-week OTT window. This has led to a decline in the theatrical business, as audiences increasingly opt for streaming releases. To revive the genre, the makers need to extend the theatrical window to at least 6 months, making the wait more inconvenient for viewers. This could potentially help the film's long-term success. The film's box office performance is being closely watched, with comparisons to Varun Dhawan's previous film, Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari, which netted over Rs. 60 crore in India. The challenge for Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai is to surpass this figure and end on a positive note. The film's ability to hold well on weekdays and sustain its popularity over time will be crucial to its success. The box office figures for the film are as follows: Day 1: Rs. 7.50 crore, Total: Rs. 7.50 crore. Stay tuned to Pinkvilla for more box office updates.
