Steady second Friday despite IPL competition
Chand Mera Dil continues to hold its ground at the box office, proving that word-of-mouth and loyal fans can keep a film going even when cricket fever is at its peak. The Lakshya and Ananya Panday starrer collected Rs 1.20 crore on its second Friday, staying above the Rs 1 crore mark despite an important IPL match that evening.
Industry sources suggest the match may have cost the film a few lakhs in potential earnings, but the film’s urban multiplex audience has remained largely loyal. With the IPL finals scheduled for Saturday, another dip is expected tomorrow, but trade insiders believe Saturday’s natural footfall advantage for such multiplex-oriented films will balance things out.
At the very least, the film is expected to cross the Rs 2 crore mark on Saturday, with a possible stretch to Rs 2.25 crore if momentum holds. With a current total of Rs 19.10 crore in nine days, the Vivek Soni-directed romantic drama is aiming for the Rs 22 crore milestone by Saturday evening.
Can Chand Mera Dil cross the Rs 30 crore lifetime mark?
The film’s trajectory suggests a healthy lifetime collection close to Rs 30 crore, assuming a similar Sunday performance as Saturday and then roughly Rs 3 crore during the weekdays. This would be a solid result for a mid-budget romantic comedy that opened at Rs 3 crore on its first Friday.
However, the road ahead gets tougher. Thursday sees the release of Peddi, followed by Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai on Friday next week. These new releases mean Chand Mera Dil has this week to maximize its earnings before the competition arrives. Insiders say the film has been performing particularly well in urban multiplexes, where audiences are showing up for its light-hearted romance and chemistry between the leads.
The film’s relatively low budget and targeted release pattern have worked in its favour, allowing it to maintain steady collections even when faced with sporting distractions. Trade analysts are watching closely to see if it can capitalize on the weekend momentum.
What this means for Lakshya and Ananya Panday
For Lakshya, this marks one of his stronger box office runs after a few mixed results. For Ananya Panday, who has been building a steady fanbase with films like Gehraiyaan and Kho Gaye Hum Kahan, Chand Mera Dil adds another respectable performance to her portfolio. The film’s longevity at the box office also bodes well for director Vivek Soni, who has crafted a film that appeals to the multiplex crowd despite being a genre that traditionally relies on mass appeal.
As the weekend unfolds, all eyes will be on how much the film can grow on Saturday and whether it can cross the psychologically important Rs 30 crore mark by the end of its run. For now, the mood is cautiously optimistic, with industry sources noting that any film that holds above Rs 1 crore on its second Friday in the face of IPL fever deserves credit.