Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari Shines with ₹23.92 Crore Weekend Box Office Run

The much-anticipated romantic comedy "Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari," helmed by acclaimed director Shashank Khaitan and produced under Karan Johar's Dharma Productions banner, has struck a chord with moviegoers, amassing a robust Rs 23.92 crore at the domestic box office during its opening weekend. Released on October 2, 2025, the film—co-produced by Adar Poonawalla, Apoorva Mehta, and Khaitan—features a stellar ensemble cast including Varun Dhawan, Janhvi Kapoor, Sanya Malhotra, and Rohit Saraf. Despite clashing with Rishab Shetty's high-octane "Kantara: Chapter 1," which grossed over Rs 60 crore on its debut day, the rom-com has carved out its niche with witty dialogues, nostalgic Bollywood nods, and catchy tracks, earning praise for its light-hearted charm and family-friendly vibe.

Kicking off with a promising Thursday premiere, the film notched Rs 10.11 crore on day one, capitalizing on the festive Dussehra and Gandhi Jayanti buzz to achieve an impressive 34.08% Hindi occupancy nationwide. Regional strongholds like Chennai (58% occupancy), Bengaluru (51.33%), and Kolkata (45.67%) drove the momentum, with evening shows leading the charge at over 3000 screenings across India, particularly in Delhi NCR (711 shows) and Mumbai (535 shows). Friday saw a slight dip to Rs 6.01 crore amid mixed reviews—some critiquing its predictable plot and a controversial song remake—yet the film's overall 18.01% occupancy held steady, inching the two-day total to around Rs 16.12 crore. Saturday's rebound to Rs 7.80 crore, with 26.28% occupancy peaking in night shows (36.96%), propelled the weekend haul, underscoring audience preference for its stress-busting humor and stunning visuals over heavier fare.

At its core, "Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari" weaves a tale of rekindled romances and comedic chaos, centered on Sunny (Dhawan), a quintessential "Sanskari" boy, and Tulsi (Kapoor), a vibrant small-town girl, who fake a relationship to win back their exes—Ananya (Malhotra) and Vikram (Saraf). This DDLJ-inspired narrative, peppered with cheeky references to classics like SRK's "Chak De" monologue, delivers a blend of deceptions, misunderstandings, and heartfelt moments that have resonated with families. A surprise cameo by Prajakta Koli as "Dimple" adds a nostalgic touch, evoking her chemistry with Saraf from the series "Mismatched." Khaitan's signature style—seen in hits like "Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania" and "Dhadak"—shines through in the film's breezy pacing and ensemble synergy, making it a go-to for weekend outings.

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The makers celebrated the milestone on social media with the film's vibrant poster and a day-wise breakdown, captioning it: "#IshqManzoor hai humein aapse! Experience this story filled with love, laughter and a whole lotta chaos with your family at the big screen. #SunnySanskariKiTulsiKumari - In cinemas now. Book your tickets." Early trade estimates suggest the film could cross Rs 30 crore by mid-week if word-of-mouth sustains, especially as it benefits from the extended holiday period. For Dhawan, coming off a string of action ventures, this return to rom-com roots—where he reportedly earned the highest fee among the cast—marks a "redemption" of sorts, while Kapoor's portrayal of Tulsi has been lauded for its top-notch emotional depth. Malhotra and Saraf's supporting turns further elevate the ensemble, proving the film's strength lies in its relatable chaos.

As "Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari" continues its theatrical run, its solid weekend performance signals a win for Dharma's feel-good formula amid a competitive box office. With no major releases looming immediately, the film has room to build on its double-digit opening and audience smiles, potentially setting the stage for a profitable run. Fans are already buzzing about its OTT prospects, but for now, the big screen beckons with promises of more "ishq" and hilarity.

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