BY CHRISTA LINCY

Chand Mera Dil has completed its first week at the box office, showing a fairly steady performance as it moved through the weekdays. The film started with a decent opening weekend and managed to hold its ground reasonably well afterward. What is particularly interesting is the performance on the seventh day, which showed an upward trend compared to the previous day. On Thursday, the film collected 2.20 crore net, marking a 15.8% growth from Wednesday's 1.90 crore. This kind of mid-week jump is a positive sign for the movie as it enters its second week. This collection came from 3,713 shows across the country. Mumbai remains the strongest market for the film, recording 25.5% occupancy on day 7, followed by the National Capital Region (NCR) at 12.8% and Lucknow at 12.3%. The ticket sales data also reflects a consistent interest from the audience. On BookMyShow, the film sold 38,070 tickets in the last 24 hours, bringing the total sales on the platform to 364,000 for the first week. In national chains, the film has sold over 89,000 tickets so far. Throughout the first seven days, the movie has been screened across a total of 30,551 shows, maintaining an average occupancy range between 12% and 18%. India Net Collection (Week 1): ₹19.45 Cr India Gross Collection: ₹22.98 Cr Overseas Gross Collection: ₹3.05 Cr Worldwide Gross Total: ₹26.03 Cr Total Shows Tracked: 30,551 (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Chand Mera Dil - Week 1 India Net CollectionDAYINDIA NET COLLECTIONDay 1 (1st Friday)₹ 3.00 CrDay 2 (1st Saturday)₹ 3.75 CrDay 3 (1st Sunday)₹ 4.25 CrDay 4 (1st Monday)₹ 2.25 CrDay 5 (1st Tuesday)₹ 2.10 CrDay 6 (1st Wednesday)₹ 1.90 CrDay 7 (1st Thursday)₹ 2.20 CrTotal Week 1₹ 19.45 Cr In the overseas market, the film added 0.15 crore on its seventh day, taking the total international gross to 3.05 crore. Combined with the domestic gross of 22.98 crore, the worldwide gross has reached 26.03 crore. Overall, the first week shows that the film is finding its audience primarily in major urban centers. While the growth on day 7 is encouraging, the second week will be crucial in determining its long-term success at the box office.

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, May 29 - Hollywood has found its latest surprise blockbuster, and it comes from the horror genre once again. Obsession, the low-budget supernatural thriller directed by one-film-old Curry Barker, has crossed the remarkable $100 million (950 crore) mark at the worldwide box office against the reported budget of just $750,000 (7+ crores). The film's extraordinary theatrical run has turned it into one of the most profitable movies of 2026 and one of the biggest breakout horror hits in recent years. Released by Focus Features in the US and Universal Pictures internationally, Obsession started as a relatively small horror release with limited expectations. However, the film quickly exploded through strong audience reactions and overwhelmingly positive word-of-mouth. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The supernatural horror thriller has especially connected with younger audiences, with many viewers praising its unsettling atmosphere and disturbing storytelling. The film stars Michael Johnston as Bear, a lonely music store employee obsessed with reconnecting with his childhood crush Nikki, played by Inde Navarrette. After using a mysterious supernatural toy to manipulate fate and make Nikki fall in love with him, Bear's life slowly descends into terrifying chaos. The film blends psychological horror with supernatural elements, creating an eerie experience that audiences have embraced worldwide. One of the most shocking aspects of Obsession's box office run has been its rare second-weekend growth. While horror films usually witness drops after opening weekend, Obsession jumped by more than 30% in its second weekend. The film continued to dominate multiplexes through consistent weekday collections and repeat audiences. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) So far, Obsession has minted over $100 million, including $73+ million at the domestic (North America) box office. The movie has been released in India today (May 29), with paid previews on May 28. Due to positive worldwide reception, it minted approximately 50 lakh gross in previews, and is set for a good weekend at the Indian box office. Trade analysts are now comparing Obsession to legendary low-budget horror success stories like Paranormal Activity, The Blair Witch Project, and Smile. The film's massive profits once again prove that horror remains one of the safest and most rewarding genres in the theatrical business when backed by strong storytelling and audience engagement.

BY CHRISTA LINCY

Lyca Productions has officially confirmed that the action heist thriller Sigma is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on July 31. This project marks the directorial debut of Jason Sanjay, the son of actor-turned-politician Thalapathy Vijay. While there was a lot of curiosity about whether he would follow his father's footsteps into acting, Jason has chosen to build a career behind the lens. He comes prepared with a diploma in Film Production from the Toronto Film School and further specialized in screenwriting during his time in London. The film stars Sundeep Kishan, Faria Abdullah, and Sampath Raj in a story centered around a high-stakes robbery. The plot reportedly draws inspiration from Hollywood-style gambling and casino thrillers, offering a fresh narrative for the local audience. While Sundeep Kishan is leading the project now, Dulquer Salmaan was initially the first choice for the lead role. However, the collaboration did not materialize due to Dulquer's prior work commitments, which eventually led the makers to bring Sundeep Kishan on board. On the production side, Sigma has been shot across several locations, including Chennai, Salem, Thalakona, and Thailand. For his debut, Jason has collaborated with an experienced technical crew, featuring cinematographer Krishnan Vasant, editor Praveen KL, and music composer S. Thaman, who is handling the background score and songs for this high-octane thriller. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The release of Sigma on July 31 comes at a very significant time for the family. Just a month earlier, Thalapathy Vijay is expected to appear in his final cinematic role in Jana Nayagan, which is reportedly targeting a June 19 release to align with his birthday on June 22. Directed by H. Vinoth, Jana Nayagan is a political thriller where Vijay plays an ex-cop turned populist leader. As Vijay prepares to transition into full-time politics after the release of his final film, his son's debut with Sigma in late July represents a new chapter for the family in the film industry. Jana Nayagan is a political action thriller where Vijay plays an ex-cop named Vetri who transforms into a populist leader. The plot follows his ideological battle against a powerful and authoritarian antagonist, played by Bobby Deol. The film features a massive ensemble cast including Pooja Hegde, Mamitha Baiju, Prakash Raj, Gautham Vasudev Menon, and Priyamani. The technical team for Jana Nayagan is equally high-profile, with Anirudh Ravichander composing the background score and songs. The film is produced by KVN Productions, with Sathyan Sooryan handling the cinematography and Pradeep E. Ragav as the editor. For fans, this period is quite significant as they prepare to see Vijay's final performance on the big screen in June, followed shortly by the start of his son's filmmaking journey with Sigma in July. A high-stakes heist begins. 💵 #SIGMA storms into theatres on July 31st. 🗓️ Gear up for the ultimate quest. 🔥@official_jsj @LycaProductions #Subaskaran @gkmtamilkumaran @jsjmedia01 @sundeepkishan @MusicThaman @fariaabdullah2 #RajuSundaram #SampathRaj @shivpanditt @follow_anbu… pic.twitter.com/Sd87kylWZN— Lyca Productions (@LycaProductions) May 29, 2026

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, May 29 - Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar is gearing up to explore an entirely new cinematic space with Samuk, an ambitious alien survival thriller backed by producer Vipul Amrutlal Shah and directed by Kanishk Varma. The film, which is currently in pre-production, is being envisioned as one of the most technically advanced and genre-defining projects attempted in Indian cinema. "A Never-Seen-Before Cinema" (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Speaking about the film in an exclusive interaction with Variety India, Akshay Kumar admitted that Samuk instantly stood out because of its fresh concept and scale. The actor revealed that the project offers something Indian audiences have rarely experienced before in mainstream cinema. Calling it a "never-seen-before" thriller, Akshay shared that the film combines survival horror, intense action, and extraterrestrial suspense in a grounded yet cinematic manner. The actor also expressed excitement about stepping into the sci-fi genre in such a large-scale setup, blending military realism with high-intensity survival sequences. Producer Vipul Amrutlal Shah emphasised that Samuk is not being treated as a conventional Bollywood entertainer. Instead, the makers are aiming to create a globally mounted sci-fi thriller with strong emotional storytelling and realistic action. Director Kanishk Varma reportedly drew inspiration from iconic international alien survival films but wanted Samuk to have its own identity rooted in Indian storytelling sensibilities. One of the film's biggest creative decisions is the use of practical creature effects instead of depending heavily on computer-generated imagery. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Hollywood Technician On Board To achieve that vision, the team has brought on board Hollywood creature designer Alec Gillis, best known for his work on globally acclaimed franchises like Alien and Predator. Gillis will design the extraterrestrial creature for Samuk, with the makers aiming to create a terrifying and physically realistic on-screen presence. The project has also roped in action expert Luke Tumber, who has worked on major international productions, including films from the Mission: Impossible franchise. Samuk also marks Akshay Kumar's reunion with Vipul Amrutlal Shah after several successful collaborations in the past. Their partnership has delivered multiple commercial entertainers over the years, and expectations are already high for this latest venture. At a time when Indian cinema is increasingly experimenting with new genres and storytelling formats, Samuk could emerge as a landmark project if executed successfully. The shoot of the film is expected to begin in August this year for a grand theatrical release in 2027.

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, May 29 - Over the years, Indian cinema has explored only a handful of sports biopics, especially based on cricketers. Films like MS Dhoni: The Untold Story and 83 managed to leave a strong impact on audiences, making fans curious about which sporting icon could get the next big-screen adaptation. Amid such discussions, former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh had once revealed which Bollywood actor he would want to portray him in a biopic. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Interestingly, while fans often suggested names like Ranbir Kapoor and Ranveer Singh because of their versatility and screen presence, Harbhajan had a completely different choice in mind. Back in 2024, the former cricketer revealed that Vicky Kaushal would be the ideal actor to play him if his life story was ever adapted for the big screen. He also stated that Ranbir Kapoor and Ranveer Singh could also fit in for her role. Speaking during an interaction, Harbhajan explained that Vicky Kaushal understands the Punjabi spirit and personality very well, making him a natural fit for the role. The former spinner also mentioned that both of them belong to the same region and speak the same language, which would help the actor connect with the character more authentically. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Harbhajan Singh's journey certainly has all the ingredients of a compelling sports drama. From becoming the first Indian bowler to take a Test hat-trick to playing crucial roles in India's 2007 T20 World Cup and 2011 ODI World Cup triumphs, the off-spinner enjoyed a remarkable cricketing career filled with unforgettable moments. The former cricketer had also stated that he was working on his biography, which could eventually pave the way for a film adaptation. According to Harbhajan, stories of sportspersons inspire youngsters by showing how dedication, hard work, and determination can help someone rise from humble beginnings to achieve greatness. Vicky Kaushal has already impressed audiences with his performances in films based on real-life personalities, including Sam Bahadur and Sardar Udham. His ability to portray emotionally intense and layered characters is one of the major reasons why many fans agreed with Harbhajan's casting choice. Meanwhile, the biopic of legandary cricketer Sourav Ganguly is already in the works with Rajkumar Rao in the lead.

BY CHRISTA LINCY

28 days into its theatrical run, Raja Shivaji continues to stand tall, much like the legendary figure it portrays on screen. The film has transitioned from being a highly anticipated release to becoming a historic phenomenon for Marathi cinema. It has officially claimed the title of the highest-grossing Marathi movie of all time, shattering existing records and creating an entirely new league for regional box office potential. The movie completed its 28th day with a surprising show of strength. On Thursday, it collected 0.45 crore net, which is actually a 12.5% growth compared to Wednesday's 0.40 crore. For a film to show an upward trend on its 28th day is a clear sign of strong word-of-mouth. This performance was recorded across 756 shows in India. In terms of regional occupancy, the Marathi version remains the primary driver, with Pune leading at 35.8% and Mumbai following at 31.3% occupancy. The Hindi version also maintained a steady presence in regions like the NCR and Gujarat. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The ticket sales data on BookMyShow reflects this consistent demand. During the fourth week alone, the film saw over 1.36 lakh tickets booked through the platform, bringing its cumulative total to a massive 25.61 lakh tickets. The weekend was particularly active, with Saturday and Sunday alone contributing nearly 59,000 tickets. Even on weekdays, the movie didn't see a major crash, maintaining its presence across a total of 6,054 shows throughout the week. Beyond online platforms, national chains have also shown a solid hold, with over 17,000 tickets sold during this seven-day period. Here is the daily breakdown of BMS ticket sales for week 4: 4th Friday: 21.31K 4th Saturday: 32.51K 4th Sunday: 26.46K 4th Monday: 15.51K 4th Tuesday: 15.72K 4th Wednesday: 11.89K 4th Thursday: 12.97K Looking at the financial totals, Raja Shivaji has crossed the coveted 100-crore gross mark in India. The total India net collection currently stands at 93.75 crore, while the India gross has reached 110.80 crore. The overseas market has provided a steady contribution of 4.27 crore, pushing the worldwide gross collection to a massive 115.07 crore. These numbers were achieved across a total of 88,679 shows since its release. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Raja Shivaji - Week 4 India Net CollectionDAYINDIA NET COLLECTIONDay 22 (4th Friday)₹ 0.60 CrDay 23 (4th Saturday)₹ 1.15 CrDay 24 (4th Sunday)₹ 1.30 CrDay 25 (4th Monday)₹ 0.45 CrDay 26 (4th Tuesday)₹ 0.45 CrDay 27 (4th Wednesday)₹ 0.40 CrDay 28 (4th Thursday)₹ 0.45 CrWeek 4 Total₹ 4.80 Cr Raja Shivaji is currently wrapping up its fourth week as a major winner for Marathi cinema. The fact that the film saw a 12.5% jump on its 28th day is a solid indicator of its staying power. It is not very common for a regional film to show this kind of upward movement so late in its run, especially with a net collection of 93.75 crore already in the bank. Looking at the current pace, the movie is virtually guaranteed to cross the 100-crore net mark in India soon. We can expect the final lifetime collections to settle around the 110-crore net mark domestically, with the worldwide gross likely hitting the 135-crore to 140-crore range before it eventually leaves the theaters.