Dhamaal 4 Opens Strong, Lenin Idhayam Murali Struggles
The Indian box office witnessed a stark contrast on July 10, 2026, as the comedy franchise Dhamaal 4 led the day with an estimated Rs 15.2 crore nett in India, while the Tamil drama Lenin Idhayam Murali managed only Rs 2.1 crore, according to early trade estimates from industry sources.
Dhamaal 4, the fourth installment in the popular comedy series, saw strong occupancy in multiplexes across major cities, particularly in Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, and Bengaluru. The film's opening day collections are the highest in the franchise so far, surpassing Dhamaal 3's opening day of Rs 12.8 crore. Trade analysts attribute the success to the film's star cast and the brand value of the franchise.
Regional and Single-Screen Performance
In contrast, Lenin Idhayam Murali, a Tamil-language political drama, had a muted start. The film, directed by debutant K. S. Ravikumar, earned Rs 2.1 crore on its first day, with most of its collections coming from Tamil Nadu. Single-screen theaters in rural areas reported low occupancy, while urban multiplexes saw slightly better numbers but still below expectations.
According to a trade analyst from the film trade website BoxOfficeIndia, "Lenin Idhayam Murali faced stiff competition from Dhamaal 4 and also suffered from mixed reviews. The film needed a stronger opening to sustain, but given the numbers, it will be a challenge."
Impact of Competition and Audience Response
The clash between the two films was anticipated, but the gap in collections highlights the dominance of established franchises over new content. Dhamaal 4 benefited from a wider release across 3,500 screens nationwide, while Lenin Idhayam Murali was released on approximately 1,200 screens, primarily in Tamil Nadu.
Audience response on social media has been mixed for Lenin Idhayam Murali, with praise for its performances but criticism for its pacing. Meanwhile, Dhamaal 4 has garnered positive word-of-mouth for its humor and ensemble cast, which includes actors like Arshad Warsi and Riteish Deshmukh.
Future Prospects
Trade experts predict that Dhamaal 4 will maintain its lead over the weekend, with potential to cross Rs 50 crore by Sunday. For Lenin Idhayam Murali, the film's performance on Saturday and Sunday will be crucial to determine its long-term viability. If it fails to pick up, it may face a steep drop in collections from Monday onwards.
Overall, July 10 box office numbers underscore the preference for established comedy franchises over niche political dramas in the current market scenario.
