Imtiaz Ali's Main Vaapas Aaunga declared a commercial hit as it enters 6th week in theatres
Here's the latest update from the Bollywood world:
Main Vaapas Aaunga was rolled out in theatres last month to positive reviews but had a slow start at the ticket-window. But nobody could predict the remarkable box-office turnaround of the Imtiaz Ali movie, which has surely become one of the year's most talked-about success stories so far.
Adding to this, Main Vaapas Aaunga ticket-window saw a growth due to positive word of mouth. What the producer shared Now in its sixth week in theatres, the romantic drama has managed to become a commercial hit by recovering its costs through theatrical and non-theatrical revenues, shared producer Mohit Choudhary in a statement to news agency PTI. “The ticket-window success of Main Vaapas Aaunga is a reflection of the love the movie has received from the audience. A very strong word of mouth powers it ahead as it marches towards a 50-plus day theatrical run,” he shared.
Meanwhile, “In its sixth week now, the movie has already recovered its cost from the theatrical and non-theatrical revenue streams. This seemed extremely difficult at the start of its theatrical journey. While the movie has been and will always remain a 'people's hit', it is now officially also a commercial hit,” he added.
Notably, He thanked the movie's partners, including Applause Entertainment, Birla Studios and Tips Music, as well as the cast, crew and director Imtiaz Ali for their contribution to the movie. The movie was rolled out across 59 countries on 804 screens in its initial overseas rollout and later expanded its European footprint across 15 countries. In India, the movie has attracted audiences beyond traditional Hindi-speaking territories, and has done well in cities such as Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Kolkata.
As per the latest buzz, Its underwhelming performance initially led many to believe it was headed for a disappointing theatrical run. However, the tide turned dramatically in the second week. Backed by glowing word-of-mouth, the movie witnessed a massive surge in ticket sales. Audiences fell in love with the performances, and the soundtrack quickly took over the charts, breathing new life into its theatrical run.
In further updates, Main Vaapas Aaunga centres on a 95-year-old man who suffers a stroke while trying to make his way to Pakistan. As his memories begin to return, his grandson starts uncovering pieces of a life that existed before Partition, revealing the emotional wounds and lost connections shaped by history and borders. It stars Diljit Dosanjh, Naseeruddin Shah , Sharvari, and Vedang Raina .
On top of that, The movie also marks another collaboration between Imtiaz Ali and AR Rahman, their fifth together after Rockstar, Highway, Tamasha, and Amar Singh Chamkila. The movie was rolled out in theatres on June 12, 2026.
Santanu Das is a Senior Content Producer at Hindustan Times with over 5 years of experience, writing on films, pop culture and movie festivals. He has a keen interest in writing about South Asian independent films and has covered several movie festivals, including Sundance and CPH: Docx. He also brings a sharp perspective to the monthly column called The Fault in Our Stars, where he writes about a recent movie/series and what stops the ‘good’ from becoming ‘great’. A gold medalist from Banaras Hindu University, Santanu completed his postgraduate studies in English from Jadavpur University. He is also a Rotten Tomatoes-certified movie critic. When not watching films or in conversation with celebrities, Santanu can be found reading a book. Some of his favourite films are Aparajito, Ponyo and The Double Life of Veronique. His favourite books include The Corrections, The God of Small Things and A Room of One's Own. Santanu continues to write passionately about films and star culture. He brings a relatable, as well as critically informed, lens to entertainment and culture for a wide audience. Find him on LinkedIn: santanudasfilm Instagram: @santupecha Read More
Source: Hindustan Times