Three notable films hit theaters last Friday: Nagabandham, Rao Bahadur, and the Hindi spy thriller Alpha. While all three generated decent pre-release buzz, the opening weekend has now concluded, and none has managed to emerge as a clear box office winner.
Nagabandham arrived with massive expectations and a reported budget of over Rs. 100 crore. However, the mythological fantasy drama has struggled to live up to the hype. The film has received a mixed response from audiences, but its ticket sales have remained comparatively better than its Telugu rival, Rao Bahadur.
Starring Satya Dev, Rao Bahadur has earned widespread appreciation for its performances, story, and strong technical standards. The film has also become a major talking point on social media thanks to its positive word of mouth. Despite the encouraging response, its ticket sales are yet to reflect the appreciation and remain behind those of Nagabandham.
On the Hindi front, YRF’s spy action thriller Alpha, starring Alia Bhatt and Sharvari, has also had a less-than-ideal start. The film has drawn criticism from many viewers, with some calling it the weakest entry in the YRF Spy Universe. Although it posted decent ticket sales during its opening weekend, the overall box office performance has fallen short of expectations, especially considering its scale and budget.
With the opening weekend behind them, all three films now face their biggest test. Monday’s performance will offer a clearer picture of their long-term prospects, as weekday collections often determine a film’s theatrical momentum. The challenge becomes even tougher with a fresh slate of releases arriving this Friday, leaving these films with only a limited window to strengthen their box office run before new competition takes over.