Diwali Box Office Battle: Can Thamma and Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat Light Up the Screens?
The festive season is upon us, and with it comes the eagerly anticipated Diwali releases. But here's where it gets controversial: can this year's offerings, Thamma and Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat, truly sparkle at the box office? And this is the part most people miss—entering the fray this week is Haq, starring Yami Gautam and Emraan Hashmi, adding another layer to the competition.
Welcome to Pinkvilla Predicts, your go-to weekly box office forecast series, published every Monday. For now, we’re focusing on the first-day predictions for Hindi and select Hollywood films over the next four weeks. In the future, we’ll expand to more weeks and include films from other languages, so stay tuned!
This week, there’s no major release on Friday, as Diwali films are hitting theaters on Tuesday. Let’s dive into the predictions for Thamma, Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat, and Haq.
Thamma (21/10/2025)
First Day Box Office Forecast: Rs. 17-22 crore
Thamma is a commercial entertainer backed by the highly successful Maddock Horror Comedy Universe (MHCU). Think of it as the cinematic equivalent of a Diwali firecracker—it’s got the potential to explode. Stree 2 became the highest-grossing Hindi film at the time of its release, and Munjya was a surprise hit, proving that MHCU has a knack for blending horror and humor.
Releasing the day after Diwali—one of the biggest box office days of the year—Thamma is strategically positioned. Comedies, especially horror-comedies, have thrived during Diwali in recent years. Remember Golmaal Again, Housefull 4, and Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3? They all lit up the box office.
However, there’s a catch. While Thamma has a solid trailer and music, they haven’t quite lived up to the sky-high expectations. The MHCU is a proven brand, but its success outside the Stree franchise remains untested. Plus, the marketing campaign seems to be missing the mark by focusing on dance numbers instead of the film’s horror and comedy elements. Is this a missed opportunity, or will audiences show up regardless?
Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat (21/10/2025)
First Day Box Office Forecast: Rs. 7-10 crore
Love stories need great music to succeed, and Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat delivers on that front. A couple of its songs have already become hits, and the teaser and trailer have generated buzz. The film is resonating strongly in the same circles that embraced surprise blockbusters like the re-release of Sanam Teri Kasam and Saiyaara earlier this year.
The upside here is significant. If the metrics are anything to go by, the film could even cross Rs. 10 crore and inch closer to Rs. 15 crore on its first day. But there’s a downside: the film lacks star power, and its production quality, while good, has a “B-movie” feel that might limit its appeal in urban centers. That said, Sanam Teri Kasam proved that star power isn’t everything, so this might not be a deal-breaker.
The bigger challenge? Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat is clashing with Thamma, the bigger film, which will likely dominate initial screenings. The hope is that strong advance bookings can secure better show allocations. Can this underdog love story steal the spotlight, or will it be overshadowed by the horror-comedy juggernaut?
Haq (7/11/2025)
First Day Box Office Forecast: Rs. 2-4 crore
Haq seems tailored for audiences leaning politically right—a niche that has seen success post-COVID with films like The Kashmir Files and The Kerala Story. Last year’s Article 370, also starring Yami Gautam, was a hit. But here’s the twist: recent films in this genre, like The Bengal Files, Ajey, and The Udaipur Files, haven’t performed as well.
Unlike Article 370, which tackled the recent and widely discussed issue of Kashmir, Haq revolves around a 1985 court case—a topic that may feel outdated to some. This could limit its appeal. The film’s success will hinge on whether it can build momentum post-release, but its initial buzz seems modest, despite a strong teaser. Is the politically charged narrative still a winning formula, or are audiences moving on?
Pinkvilla Predicts First Day Box Office Forecast:
| Release Date | Title | Low-End Forecast | High-End Forecast | Pinpoint Forecast |
|--------------|---------------------------|------------------|-------------------|-------------------|
| 21/10/2025 | Thamma | Rs. 17.00 cr. | Rs. 22.00 cr. | Rs. 20.00 cr. |
| 21/10/2025 | Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat | Rs. 7.00 cr. | Rs. 10.00 cr. | Rs. 10.00 cr. |
| 31/10/2025 | The Taj Story | Rs. 0.25 cr. | Rs. 1.00 cr. | Rs. 0.25 cr. |
| 07/11/2025 | Haq | Rs. 2.00 cr. | Rs. 4.00 cr. | Rs. 2.50 cr. |
So, what do you think? Will Thamma dominate, or will Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat surprise us all? And does Haq have what it takes to reignite the politically charged narrative? Let us know in the comments—we’d love to hear your take!
