From slow start to surprise surge: Why Imtiaz Ali's Main Vaapas Aaunga jumps 130% in week 2

After a slow start at the box office, Imtiaz Ali's Main Vaapas Aaunga is showing remarkable staying power, with cinema chains adding extra screenings following strong audience word-of-mouth and a significant jump in collections during its second week.

Imtiaz Ali's latest film, Main Vaapas Aaunga, is witnessing an encouraging turnaround at the box office after opening below expectations despite receiving positive reviews from critics.

The Partition-era romantic drama has gained momentum in its second week, prompting major theatre chains to increase the number of screenings across several markets as audience demand continues to grow.

Extra shows added amid growing demand

Major multiplex operators have reportedly added more shows of the film during its second week after observing steady growth in occupancy and ticket sales.

Exhibitors noted that the film's performance has been driven by audience recommendations rather than an opening-weekend rush, a trend often considered a positive indicator of long-term box office sustainability.

Industry insiders have credited the film's emotional storytelling, performances and music for helping it find an audience after a modest opening.

What makes the film's performance notable is that it has continued to grow despite the arrival of Cocktail 2, which opened strongly and brought fresh competition to cinemas.

Despite the new release occupying a significant number of screens, Main Vaapas Aaunga has managed to retain audience interest and even secure additional show timings in several locations.

Trade analysts believe this suggests the film is benefiting from strong word-of-mouth among moviegoers.

Collections jump in second week

According to trade estimates, the film earned around ₹4.35 crore on its ninth day in theatres.

Its domestic net collection has reached approximately ₹18.5 crore, while the India gross collection stands at around ₹22.1 crore.

The film reportedly registered a 130% jump in collections on its second Saturday compared with the previous day, marking one of the strongest growth trends among recent Hindi releases.

Story and cast

Main Vaapas Aaunga follows a story set against the backdrop of Partition and unfolds across multiple generations and timelines.

The film stars Diljit Dosanjh, Naseeruddin Shah, Sharvari and Vedang Raina in key roles.

The project also reunites Imtiaz Ali with acclaimed composer A. R. Rahman, whose soundtrack has received praise from audiences and critics alike.

In an era where many films rely heavily on opening weekend collections, Main Vaapas Aaunga's steady growth highlights the continued importance of audience recommendations and positive word-of-mouth. The film's second-week performance has raised hopes that it could emerge as one of the year's notable box-office recoveries.