Peddi’s Record-Breaking Start Leaves Varun’s Film Far Behind
The much-anticipated box office showdown is on, and Ram Charan’s Peddi has absolutely smashed it on day one. The sports drama hit theaters on June 4 and the numbers are already mind-blowing — we’re talking over Rs 58-63 crore net in India on its opening day alone, with worldwide collections expected to cross Rs 100 crore, according to trade reports.
Industry tracking shows the film’s advance bookings were insane, crossing more than Rs 20 crore gross in India and Rs 35 crore globally before its official release. As of 8 PM on opening day, the film had raked in around Rs 32.92 crore net in India, including paid previews, which is absolutely massive.
Meanwhile, Varun Dhawan’s Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai is arriving on June 5 with a completely different vibe. The romantic family entertainer is targeting youth and family audiences, but its advance booking numbers are nowhere near Peddi‘s league. Reports suggest it’s sold only around 20,000 tickets nationwide, with pre-sales hovering just above Rs 1 crore gross. To give it a boost, the makers have even introduced a 50 percent ticket discount in select markets.
Ram Charan’s Star Power in South India Steals the Show
The biggest factor behind Peddi‘s colossal start is Ram Charan’s insane popularity in Telugu-speaking states. Occupancy figures from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana tell the story — several centers recorded nearly 60 percent attendance during morning and afternoon shows, and advance booking data shows over 2,44,906 tickets sold across Hindi and Telugu versions, along with approximately Rs 10.28 crore from blocked-seat bookings.
Trade analyst Girish Johar spills the beans: Peddi will dominate the southern markets while Varun’s film might find better traction in select Hindi-speaking regions. He adds that Varun’s film has the advantage of being a youth-oriented family entertainer that may click with North Indian audiences. Another analyst, Ramesh Bala, goes further — he predicts Peddi will be the biggest opener among all releases this week, both domestically and internationally.
But don’t count Varun out just yet. The Hindi-dubbed version of Peddi has reported relatively low occupancy of around 14 percent, which could leave some room for Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai in the northern belt. Trade estimates currently predict an opening day collection of Rs 6-9 crore net for Varun’s film, which, while decent, is a massive gap compared to Ram Charan’s wave.
What’s Next: Can Varun’s Film Catch Up Over the Weekend?
While the opening numbers are heavily tilted in Peddi‘s favor, insiders say Varun’s film still has a chance if positive word of mouth spreads. Families and youth audiences love a feel-good rom-com, especially one with Varun’s signature energy. The 50 percent discount in select markets might also help draw crowds in the Hindi belt over the weekend.
But as things stand, Peddi is miles ahead. With Ram Charan’s huge fan base, overseas support, and the sports drama’s heavy emotional pull, the June box office race looks one-sided. The weekend performance of both films will tell the real story, but right now, it’s Peddi all the way. Ab dekhte hain kya hota hai — will Varun’s film pick up steam, or will Ram Charan run away with the trophy?