Thamaa vs Kantara vs Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat: Who’s Winning the Box Office Battle?

This Diwali season brought one of the juiciest Bollywood clashes in recent memory.On one side, Ayushmann Khurrana’s horror-comedy Thamaa — from Dinesh Vijan’s Maddock Films — stormed theatres mid-week.On the other, Harshvardhan Rane and Sonam Bajwa’s romantic drama Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat quietly slipped in under the radar.And hovering above both is Rishab Shetty’s Kannada juggernaut Kantara: Chapter 1 — rewriting Indian box-office history with every passing day. Let’s decode who’s leading, who’s lagging, and what the numbers actually say.

Ayushmann Khurrana’s Thamaa: A Frightfully Big Start

Directed by Amar Kaushik and produced by Dinesh Vijan, Thamaa is the latest entry in the hit Maddock Horror Comedy Universe (MHCU) that gave us Stree, Bhediya, and Munjya.

The film opened huge — ₹24 crore on Day 1 — making it the second-biggest MHCU opener after Stree 2 (₹60 crore).It comfortably outpaced earlier universe titles like Stree (₹6.8 cr), Bhediya (₹7.4 cr), and Munjya (₹4 cr).

But mid-week drops tell a different story:

• Day 2: ₹18.6 crore (-22.5%)

• Day 3: ₹13 crore (-30%)

Three-day total — ₹55 crore.The film’s weekday decline is steeper than ideal, and trade experts are now watching whether a weekend rebound can hold.

For context, Akshay Kumar’s Ram Setu (also a Tuesday release) showed smaller declines, suggesting Thamaa needs stronger audience retention to sustain.

If it maintains a ₹100–130 crore lifetime, it’ll be labelled a “Hit.” Below ₹90 crore, the verdict slips toward “Average.”

Harshvardhan Rane & Sonam Bajwa’s Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat: The Sleeper Success

While everyone tracked the big-budget universe film, Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat — directed by Milap Milan Zaveri and produced by Anshul Garg under Desi Movies Factory — became this week’s unexpected winner. Made on a modest ₹25 crore budget, the film’s heartfelt romance and melodious soundtrack connected instantly with audiences.

• Day 1: ₹9 crore

• Day 2: ₹7.75 crore (-14%)

• Day 3: ₹6 crore (-22%)

That’s a rock-solid ₹22.75 crore in three days — with exceptional stability for a mid-scale release.

The chemistry between Harshvardhan Rane and Sonam Bajwa, paired with Milap Zaveri’s emotionally charged storytelling, is generating strong word-of-mouth across small towns and metro multiplexes alike. At this pace, the film could double its budget in the first week itself — making it a certified profitable venture and a great comeback moment for Zaveri after Satyameva Jayate 2.

Rishab Shetty’s Kantara: Chapter 1: A Divine Domination

And then there’s Rishab Shetty — the actor-director-writer who’s once again proving that authenticity and rooted storytelling trump everything else. Produced by Hombale Films, Kantara: Chapter 1 has smashed record after record.

Box Office Breakdown

• Karnataka Gross: ₹182 crore (Highest ever — surpassing K.G.F: Chapter 2)

• India Nett: ₹564 crore

  • Hindi — ₹193 crore (heading toward ₹200 crore)

  • Telugu — ₹87 crore

• Worldwide Gross: ₹781 crore

Even in its fourth week, it continues earning ₹3–4 crore per day in the Hindi belt — unheard of staying power in the streaming era.

While overseas numbers (₹109 crore) keep it slightly below the ₹1000 crore club, analysts expect a final total near ₹900 crore, locking Kantara: Chapter 1 among the Top 5 highest-grossing Indian films ever — standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Jawan and Kalki 2898 AD.

Final Verdict: Box Office Scoreboard

Film	Lead Actors	Director	Production House	Opening Day	3-Day Total	Budget	Verdict
Thamaa	Ayushmann Khurrana, Rashmika Mandanna	Amar Kaushik	Maddock Films	₹24 Cr	₹55 Cr	₹70 Cr	Strong start, needs growth
Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat	Harshvardhan Rane, Sonam Bajwa	Milap Milan Zaveri	Desi Movies Factory (Anshul Garg)	₹9 Cr	₹22.75 Cr	₹25 Cr	Certified success
Kantara: Chapter 1	Rishab Shetty	Rishab Shetty	Hombale Films	₹26 Cr	₹564 Cr (India)	₹70 Cr	All-time blockbuster

Summary:

• Thamaa → Big opening, franchise pressure.

• Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat → Small film, big heart.

• Kantara → Unstoppable cultural phenomenon.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is Ayushmann Khurrana’s Thamaa a hit or flop?

Still too early to declare. If it crosses ₹120 crore lifetime, it’s a “Hit.” Below ₹90 crore makes it “Average.”

What is Thamaa’s current box office collection?

After Day 3, the film stands at ₹55 crore India nett and about ₹63 crore worldwide.

Who directed and produced Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat?

Directed by Milap Milan Zaveri, produced by Anshul Garg under Desi Movies Factory. Lead actors are Harshvardhan Rane and Sonam Bajwa.

Why is Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat being called a sleeper hit?

Because it’s made on a low ₹25 crore budget and already earned over ₹22 crore in three days with excellent word-of-mouth — ensuring profitability within Week 1.

How much has Rishab Shetty’s Kantara: Chapter 1 earned worldwide?

Approximately ₹781 crore gross, with a projected final near ₹900 crore — making it one of India’s highest-grossing films ever.