The Indian box office witnessed a fierce three-way battle this Friday. Two major Bollywood releases, ‘Baaghi 4’ and ‘The Bengal Files’, entered theatres together. At the same time, Hollywood horror thriller ‘The Conjuring – Last Rites’ arrived in India with a strong wave of anticipation. While the domestic films managed to pull audiences, the Hollywood release quickly took the spotlight. Here is a detailed breakdown of the Day 1 box office collections, audience reception, ratings, and early trends.
Opening Day Highlights
Friday morning shows saw mixed occupancy across multiplexes and single screens. Action-packed ‘Baaghi 4’, starring Tiger Shroff and Sanjay Dutt, attracted younger audiences in mass circuits. ‘The Bengal Files’, a content-driven drama by Vivek Agnihotri, began with a slower response, mostly in urban centers. Meanwhile, ‘The Conjuring – Last Rites’ enjoyed excellent occupancy across premium formats, particularly during evening and night shows.
According to early estimates, ‘Baaghi 4’ collected ₹12 crore on Day 1, establishing itself as the stronger Bollywood opener of the week. In contrast, ‘The Bengal Files’ opened at only ₹1.75 crore, reflecting its limited audience appeal on the first day. Hollywood’s ‘The Conjuring – Last Rites’ dominated with over ₹18 crore, making it the top earner.
‘Baaghi 4’: Strong Action, Weak Ratings
Directed by A. Harsha, ‘Baaghi 4’ was mounted on a massive budget of ₹70 crore. The makers relied heavily on action choreography, Tiger Shroff’s acrobatics, and Sanjay Dutt’s star power to generate hype. The trailer created strong buzz among fans who were eager for high-octane action sequences.
On its opening day, the film’s earnings reflected the loyal fanbase of action dramas in India. However, the film faced critical backlash. IMDb users gave it a low 2.3/10 rating, signaling disappointment with its story and screenplay. Despite negative reviews, the first-day box office was encouraging, mainly because of Tiger’s popularity in smaller towns and multiplex youth audiences who came for the spectacle.
For the film to recover its high budget, it will need at least two strong weekends with consistent weekday numbers. The poor critical reception may affect word-of-mouth, but early figures suggest that action enthusiasts still form a reliable audience base.
‘The Bengal Files’: Good Ratings, Weak Start
Unlike its competitor, ‘The Bengal Files’ received impressive critical acclaim. Directed by Vivek Agnihotri, the film is based on real events and continues the filmmaker’s trend of politically charged, socially rooted cinema. The film features an ensemble cast including Mithun Chakraborty, Pallavi Joshi, Anupam Kher, Simrat Kaur, and Palomi Ghosh.
Performances have been widely appreciated, and audiences praised its storytelling and depth. On IMDb, it currently holds an 8.2/10 rating, making it one of the highest-rated films among the three releases. However, despite strong reviews, the film managed only ₹1.75 crore on Day 1, which is far below expectations.
The subject matter is heavy, dealing with sensitive historical issues, and that might have limited its initial appeal. Unlike action or horror, content-driven dramas often rely on word-of-mouth growth. If positive reviews spread, collections may rise steadily through the weekend and into the weekdays.
‘The Conjuring – Last Rites’: Horror Franchise Closes on a High
Hollywood’s ‘The Conjuring – Last Rites’ emerged as the biggest winner of the day. As the final installment of the Conjuring universe, the film carried massive fan anticipation. The franchise already has a loyal audience in India, and the promise of a concluding chapter only increased excitement.
The film grossed ₹18 crore on its first day in India, outperforming both Bollywood releases. Evening and late-night shows were especially strong, as horror traditionally pulls maximum footfall during these slots.
On IMDb, it holds a 6.6/10 rating, which is considered decent for the horror genre. However, the film carries an age restriction, barring viewers under 18. Despite this limitation, the strong franchise value and global hype gave it a commanding start.
The Box Office Paradox: Ratings vs Collections
Day 1 revealed an interesting paradox at the box office. ‘Baaghi 4’ had a poor IMDb rating but still pulled in double-digit crore earnings. This reflects the strong pull of star-driven action films in India, where commercial appeal often outweighs critical response.
On the other hand, ‘The Bengal Files’ secured excellent ratings but lagged in collections. This shows that while content-rich dramas may receive appreciation, their theatrical appeal depends heavily on word-of-mouth and niche audiences.
‘The Conjuring – Last Rites’ found itself comfortably in the middle. With a decent 6.6 rating and blockbuster franchise loyalty, it translated both anticipation and reviews into box office dominance.
Audience Segments and Genre Preferences
The three films attracted different types of audiences. ‘Baaghi 4’ appealed to younger men and mass-market viewers who prefer high-energy action sequences and familiar story arcs.
‘The Bengal Files’ targeted socially conscious audiences, older viewers, and urban centers where serious cinema often finds traction.
‘The Conjuring – Last Rites’ catered to horror enthusiasts, couples, and youth groups who prefer thrill-based experiences in theatres, particularly during late evening shows.
Screen Count and Distribution Strategy
Reports suggest that ‘Baaghi 4’ received a wide release across single screens and multiplexes, especially in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities where action films perform well. ‘The Bengal Files’ had a relatively controlled release, focusing more on metro cities and multiplexes.
Meanwhile, ‘The Conjuring – Last Rites’ capitalized on premium formats such as IMAX and 4DX, increasing its per-screen earnings. Multiplex chains promoted the film aggressively, ensuring high occupancy.
Budget, Recovery, and Future Outlook
The financial stakes differ for each film. ‘Baaghi 4’, with a production cost of ₹70 crore, needs strong weekday collections and at least two steady weekends. Its box office journey will be defined by how well it can hold despite weak reviews.
‘The Bengal Files’ was made on a moderate budget, and while its opening was weak, the strong critical acclaim may help sustain its run. Word-of-mouth will be the deciding factor for its recovery.
‘The Conjuring – Last Rites’ is already off to a flying start and is expected to dominate the first weekend. Given the global popularity of the franchise, it will likely maintain strong earnings in India over the next two weeks.
Day 1 at the Indian box office ended with ‘The Conjuring – Last Rites’ taking the crown at ₹18 crore, followed by ‘Baaghi 4’ at ₹12 crore and ‘The Bengal Files’ at ₹1.75 crore. The clash highlighted the ongoing trend where Hollywood franchises can outperform Bollywood films when brand recognition and anticipation are high.
Still, the weekend will be crucial. If ‘Baaghi 4’ shows growth on Saturday and Sunday, it may recover from poor reviews. If ‘The Bengal Files’ builds momentum through positive word-of-mouth, it could improve in the coming week. Meanwhile, ‘The Conjuring – Last Rites’ is expected to continue leading with strong late-night occupancy.
The next few days will reveal whether Bollywood can close the gap or whether Hollywood’s horror giant will maintain its lead.
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