The Bollywood box office of 2025 is witnessing a tale of two extremes. While Ranveer Singh's action spectacle Dhurandhar continues to shatter records in its fourth week, Kartik Aaryan's romantic offering Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri has struggled to find its footing, earning just a fraction of its competitor's numbers. This stark contrast has brought to light revelations from a top trade analyst and sparked a subtle debate on film narratives.
The Warning That Went Unheeded
In a significant disclosure, renowned trade analyst Taran Adarsh has confirmed that he personally cautioned the team behind Kartik Aaryan's film. Adarsh stated that he contacted Dharma Productions and Kartik Aaryan himself five days before the release of Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri.
"I requested that they postpone the release. I told them, 'There's a strong Dhurandhar wave. You still have time. Even if you get the screens, you won't get the audience'," Adarsh revealed. He emphasized that he later told Kartik Aaryan directly that releasing amidst the Dhurandhar 'tsunami' was a mistake, advising that there should be "no ego" in shifting dates when a film of such magnitude is dominating theatres.
Box Office Battle: A Numbers Game
The figures tell a compelling story of dominance and struggle. As of its 24th day, Dhurandhar has amassed a staggering Rs 862.23 crores gross in India and has crossed the Rs 1100 crore mark worldwide. On a recent Sunday, it collected Rs 22.5 crores.
In sharp contrast, Kartik Aaryan and Ananya Panday's film managed only Rs 5.25 crores on the same day, roughly one-fifth of Dhurandhar's single-day haul. Over its crucial first four days, Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri has earned a total of Rs 23.75 crores in India. This sum represents Kartik Aaryan's lowest opening weekend earnings in eight years. Notably, Dhurandhar had earned Rs 23.25 crores in India by its own fourth day.
Kartik's Subtle Dig and the 'Hypermasculine' Debate
Amid the commercial disappointment, Kartik Aaryan amplified a narrative that positioned his film as a counterpoint to the prevailing trend. He shared and liked a post by screenplay writer Saurabh Bharat that praised Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri for being a "breezing progressive film" amidst a wave of "hypermasculinity and testosterone-boasting action films."
This indirect commentary is seen as a reference to the aggressive, high-octane genre that Dhurandhar epitomizes, sparking conversations about the types of stories resonating with audiences.
Taran Adarsh did not hold back in his praise for the record-breaker, comparing the audience craze to that seen for the classic Sholay. He declared Dhurandhar "the best film of 2025" and highlighted its impact on other releases, including a Kapil Sharma sequel and the Hollywood film Avatar: Fire and Ash, all of which faced tough competition.
The clear takeaway from this box office clash is the overwhelming power of a cinematic tsunami like Dhurandhar, which has not only rewritten record books but also reshaped the release strategy for every other film in its path, proving that content, timing, and audience wave are inextricably linked in determining a film's fate.
