Romantic Comedy Finds New Home on Streaming Giant
The much-anticipated romantic comedy 'Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari' is officially set to make its digital debut on Netflix on November 27. This move comes nearly two months after the film's initial theatrical release, offering a second chance for the Varun Dhawan and Janhvi Kapoor starrer to connect with audiences.
Produced by the powerhouse Dharma Productions and directed by Shashank Khaitan, the film had generated significant buzz prior to its October 2, 2025 release, strategically timed with the Dussehra national holiday. Despite this and a strong ensemble cast, the movie failed to meet commercial expectations at the box office.
Behind the Scenes and Star-Studded Cast
The film boasts a talented crew and cast beyond its leading pair. The cinematography was handled by Manush Nandan, while the editing was a collaborative effort between Manan Sagar and Charu Shree Roy. The auditory experience was shaped by John Stewart Eduri, who composed the background score, and Tanishk Bagchi, who penned the songs.
Alongside Varun Dhawan and Janhvi Kapoor, the movie features popular actors including Sanya Malhotra, Rohit Saraf, Maniesh Paul, and Akshay Oberoi. Despite this glittering lineup and the familiar, glossy Dharma Productions formula, the film could not translate early interest into sustained box office success.
A Clash of Titans and Box Office Numbers
One of the most significant factors cited for the film's underwhelming performance was its direct clash with Rishab Shetty's blockbuster, 'Kantara: Chapter 1'. The Kannada-language film emerged as an overwhelming audience favourite, drawing crowds away from the Bollywood offering.
According to industry reports, 'Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari' opened with a collection of around ₹9 crore. While this was a decent start, the film showed a sharp decline in its weekday performance. By the end of its first week, its total earnings had reached approximately ₹41.1 crore. The struggle was evident early on, with the film having earned only ₹36.25 crore by its sixth day in theatres, a figure far below projections.
Director's Perspective and Critical Reception
Director Shashank Khaitan publicly addressed the box office clash, showcasing a philosophical outlook. He stated, “I believe my film is limitless,” emphasizing that he was less concerned with numerical success and more focused on the creative identity of his project.
Audience and critic reviews were a mixed bag. Some viewers appreciated the film's light-hearted writing and its nostalgic nods to classic Bollywood. However, a common criticism pointed towards a climax that many found to be rushed and predictable, which may have hampered word-of-mouth promotion.
OTT Hopes and Future Projects
As the film prepares for its Netflix premiere, the producers are undoubtedly hoping that the vast reach of the streaming platform will provide a second life for 'Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari'. OTT releases have often helped films recover from theatrical losses, especially those with popular stars and a reliable genre formula like the light-hearted romance.
For Varun Dhawan, this release comes at a crucial juncture. The actor is already looking ahead with future projects lined up, including 'Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai', a film directed by his father, David Dhawan, and the much-anticipated war sequel 'Border 2' by J.P. Dutta.
Meanwhile, his co-star Janhvi Kapoor continues to build her portfolio in Bollywood. She is set to appear next in the film 'Peddi', where she will share the screen with Telugu superstar Ram Charan, signaling her growing presence in the industry.
