Homebound Box Office Collection Day 1
Homebound, one of Bollywood’s much-discussed releases and India’s official entry for the Oscars, surprised many with a modest ₹29 lakh collection on day one as per Sacnilk estimates. Some folks expected a splashy debut, especially given Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa, and Janhvi Kapoor headlining, plus all that international festival buzz. But life’s never that tidy, is it? That morning, a friend texted me, “Going for Homebound tonight, hope the crowd isn’t too thin.” Spoiler: he sent a photo of three people sitting in the theater.
Why So Low? Limited Release Blues
Honestly, part of the disappointment is just how small the release was, only around 200-225 screens and about 400 shows across India. That’s not what you expect from something with Dharma Productions’ name on it; their movies usually explode onto 3000+ screens. But this wasn’t positioned as a commercial entertainer. It’s a thoughtful drama, not a mass-market masala flick. The producers seem to have banked on word-of-mouth and critical appeal. In a way, it felt like Homebound was dropped into a pool, quietly, hoping ripples would build momentum.
The Oscar Entry Factor Yet Crowds Stayed Away
You’d think an official Oscar entry would bring some extra heat, right? It dazzled at Cannes with a standing ovation and wowed Toronto. Even Martin Scorsese’s name pops up as executive producer, which, for hardcore film buffs, is like sprinkling fairy dust. But maybe that wasn’t quite enough for mainstream moviegoers this weekend.
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Compared to Ishaan’s Dhadak (₹8.71 crore) or Phone Bhoot (₹2.05 crore), Homebound’s opening looks very, very “arthouse”.
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Vishal Jethwa’s Salaam Venky at least managed ₹45 lakh. So yes, modest is putting it politely.
My Take: Word-of-Mouth Might Help
Not gonna lie, I root hard for films that take risks. Limited screens sometimes mean you’re serving a niche, not going for big numbers on day one. Maybe it’s a marathon, not a sprint? Besides, personal anecdote: a friend who did see it came home thoughtful, “Not an easy watch, but it lingers.” If you ask me, that’s sometimes worth more than a blockbuster number.
So, ₹29 lakh in the till, a slow start, but possibly good legs if the chatter keeps up. Sometimes, low-key is the way to go.
