The Indian box office witnessed a high-stakes clash on Sunday, December 28, 2025, with major releases vying for audience attention. The day's collections paint a clear picture of the winners and those facing an uphill battle. Leading the pack is the much-anticipated Prabhas-starrer Dhurandhar, which has opened to a thunderous response across the country.
Dhurandhar Takes a Commanding Lead
Prabhas's action spectacle, Dhurandhar, has lived up to its hype, delivering a massive opening day. The film, directed by Prashanth Neel, has reportedly collected an impressive Rs 125 crore on its first day. This figure includes earnings from all language versions. The advance booking frenzy and massive screen count have translated into packed houses, especially in the Hindi, Telugu, and Tamil markets. The film's performance sets a new benchmark for 2025 and indicates strong potential for the extended New Year weekend.
Hollywood Giant Avatar 3 Holds Its Ground
In the face of fierce domestic competition, James Cameron's Avatar 3 continues to demonstrate remarkable staying power. On its tenth day in Indian theatres (December 28), the sci-fi epic added approximately Rs 15 crore to its total kitty. The film's cumulative collection in India now stands at a staggering Rs 425 crore. This resilience highlights the film's strong word-of-mouth and repeat viewership, particularly in metropolitan cities and premium format screens like IMAX and 3D.
Struggles for the Romantic Duo
The day brought disappointing news for the two new Hindi romantic offerings. Both Tu Meri Main Tera and Main Tera Tu Meri failed to make a significant impact on their opening day. Tu Meri Main Tera managed to gather only around Rs 1.5 crore, while Main Tera Tu Meri fared slightly worse with an estimated Rs 1 crore in collections. The limited marketing buzz and direct clash with the behemoth Dhurandhar are seen as primary reasons for their underwhelming start. Industry analysts suggest they face a steep challenge to recover costs.
Analysis and Road Ahead
The box office dynamics of December 28 clearly show a market dominated by spectacle and franchise power. Dhurandhar's success underscores Prabhas's pan-India appeal and Prashanth Neel's directorial prowess following the KGF series. Its performance in the coming days will be crucial to determine if it can sustain this initial momentum. Avatar 3 is on a steady path and is expected to continue its run well into January, aiming for the Rs 500 crore club in India.
For the romantic dramas, the upcoming weekdays and the New Year's Eve celebrations offer a slim chance to attract audiences looking for lighter content. However, without a dramatic shift in word-of-mouth, their theatrical prospects appear dim. The box office battle reaffirms the current audience preference for large-scale visual experiences during the holiday season, setting the stage for an interesting final tally for the year 2025.
