In a classic box office clash of contrasting genres, Farhan Akhtar's military drama 120 Bahadur has managed to secure a lead over Vivek Oberoi's sex comedy Mastiii 4 after the first weekend. The two films, which released this past Friday, have been competing closely, but the period drama has edged ahead with its total collections crossing the double-digit mark.
Weekend Showdown: The Numbers Game
The third day, Sunday, proved to be the most profitable for both films. 120 Bahadur, directed by Razneesh Ghai, collected Rs 4 crore on its third day. This was a slight improvement from its Saturday earnings of Rs 3.85 crore, which itself was a massive 71.11% jump from its opening day collection of Rs 2.25 crore.
On the other hand, Mastiii 4, directed by Milap Zaveri and featuring the trio of Vivek Oberoi, Riteish Deshmukh, and Aftab Shivdasani, earned Rs 3 crore on Sunday. This was a minor increase from its Saturday figure of Rs 2.75 crore, which matched its opening day earnings.
According to industry tracker Sacnilk, the three-day domestic total stands at Rs 10.10 crore for 120 Bahadur, while Mastiii 4 has garnered Rs 8.50 crore in its opening weekend.
Farhan's Comeback and Mastiii Franchise Performance
This film marks Farhan Akhtar's acting comeback in cinemas after six years. His last theatrical release was the 2019 film The Sky Is Pink, which had earned Rs 10.70 crore in its opening weekend. Since then, he only featured in the 2021 sports drama Toofan, which had a direct-to-digital release on Amazon Prime Video.
For the Mastiii franchise, the fourth instalment has had a mixed performance. It has scored an opening weekend higher than the first film from 2004, which earned Rs 5.80 crore, and the third part, Great Grand Masti (2016), which collected Rs 8.30 crore. However, its earnings are significantly lower than the blockbuster second instalment, Grand Masti (2013), which had raked in over Rs 40 crore in its first three days.
What's Next for the Competing Films?
Both 120 Bahadur and Mastiii 4 have a limited window to capitalize on their momentum. This Friday, November 28, will see the release of two new romantic dramas: Aanand L Rai's Tere Ishk Mein and Vibhu Puri's Gustaakh Ishq. This new wave of releases is expected to shift audience attention and compete for screen space, making the upcoming week crucial for the current contenders to maximize their box office potential before the fresh competition arrives.
