On Friday, September 19, 2025, multiple films released in theatres across India, with audiences having several options to watch. Among the new releases, Jolly LLB 3 emerged as the clear winner at the box office, earning Rs 12 crore on its opening day. Meanwhile, Ajey: The Untold Story of a Yogi and Nishaanchi had disappointing openings, collecting only Rs 2 million and Rs 2.5 million, respectively.
Jolly LLB 3, starring Akshay Kumar and Arshad Warsi, is the third film in the popular courtroom drama franchise. Directed by Subhash Kapoor, it also features Saurabh Shukla, Amrita Rao, Huma Qureshi, and Gajraj Rao in important roles. Audiences praised the film for its mix of comedy, drama, and courtroom action, which contributed to its strong first-day earnings. The film’s success indicates that the franchise continues to have a strong fan following, and viewers are eager to see the legal drama unfold on screen.
In comparison, Nishaanchi, directed by Anurag Kashyap, had high expectations before release, partly due to Bollywood debut of Aishwarya Thackeray, grandson of political leader Bal Thackeray. The film stars Vedika Pinto, Monica Panwar, and Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub in major roles. Despite the hype, the film earned just Rs 2.5 million on its first day, which is considered low for a nationwide release. Many critics and fans pointed out that the film struggled to attract audiences, possibly due to competition from other releases or less appealing promotions.
Similarly, Ajey: The Untold Story of a Yogi, based on the life of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, failed to impress audiences on its first day. Directed by Ravindra Gautam, the film features Anant Joshi as Yogi Adityanath. It earned only Rs 2 million, indicating a weak start. While political biographies often generate curiosity, this film did not translate that curiosity into ticket sales, possibly due to mixed reviews or limited audience interest.
Along with the new releases, some existing films continued their theatrical runs, achieving mixed results.
The South Indian film Mirai, starring Teja Sajja, had a strong opening and performed well over the first few days. Initially, it collected Rs 13 crore (approximately $1.3 billion) on its opening, followed by Rs 3.35 crore on Thursday. On Friday, the film earned Rs 2.5 crore, showing a slight decline from its opening numbers. The gradual drop is typical as films move past the first few days, but the film has maintained audience interest due to its engaging story and performances.
The Japanese anime film Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle also continued its theatrical run. It opened with Rs 13 crore, and by its second week, earnings began to decline. On Thursday, it earned Rs 2.65 crore, followed by Rs 1.85 crore on Friday. Despite the decline, the film has been praised for its animation, storyline, and strong fan base, helping it maintain a consistent audience.
ALSO READ: Early signs of PCOS in teenage girls: What parents should watch for
ALSO READ: Nepal’s Gen Z pushes for change in a struggling democracy
The Malayalam film Lokah: Chapter 1 – Chandra, starring Kalyani Priyadarshan, continued to impress audiences. Released on August 28, the film has earned Rs 130.35 crore so far. On Thursday, it earned Rs 1.85 crore, and on Friday, it collected Rs 1.75 crore. The film’s continued popularity indicates strong word-of-mouth promotion and a loyal audience in regional markets. Lokah has outperformed several Bollywood releases, highlighting the growing strength of regional cinema in India.
Overall, Friday’s box office showed a clear winner and underperformers. While Jolly LLB 3 dominated the charts, films like Ajey and Nishaanchi struggled to attract viewers. At the same time, regional films and animated features maintained a steady audience, showing that different types of cinema continue to coexist in Indian theatres.
The mixed results reflect how audience preferences are diversifying. Franchise films with familiar characters, like Jolly LLB, continue to perform well, while experimental or politically themed films often face challenges unless backed by strong promotions or word-of-mouth. Regional films and international animated movies show consistent performance, highlighting the importance of story quality and audience connection over star power alone.
As the weekend progresses, box office experts expect Jolly LLB 3 to continue its strong run, while struggling films like Ajey and Nishaanchi may see further decline unless there is renewed interest. Films like Mirai, Demon Slayer, and Lokah are likely to maintain steady earnings due to their niche but loyal audiences.
Copyright © © 2022 Copyright. All Rights Reserved with Arth Parkash