Kangana Ranaut’s latest film Bharat Bhhagya Viddhaata witnessed a modest opening at the domestic box office, collecting nearly Rs 1 crore on its first day in theatres, according to early trade estimates. The film, which is based on the courage and sacrifice shown during the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, released amid strong competition from multiple Hindi and regional films. Trade analysts believe the crowded release schedule affected the movie’s opening-day performance.

Despite promotional efforts and pre-release buzz surrounding the patriotic drama, occupancy in theatres remained limited across several cities during morning and afternoon shows. However, evening screenings reportedly showed slight improvement in footfall. Directed by Manoj Tapadia, the film focuses on the untold stories of medical workers and ordinary citizens caught in the tragic events of the Mumbai attacks. Kangana Ranaut plays a central role in the emotional drama, continuing her trend of taking up content-driven and real-life inspired projects.

Industry experts say the film’s performance over the weekend will now depend heavily on audience word-of-mouth and critical reception. While some viewers praised the emotional storytelling and performances, reviews from critics have been mixed so far. The film also faces pressure from ongoing theatrical releases and the growing preference for OTT content, which continues to impact mid-budget Bollywood films at the box office.

Although the opening figures are lower than expected for a Kangana Ranaut starrer, trade observers believe there is still room for growth if the film manages to connect with family audiences over the weekend. More clarity regarding the film’s box office trend is expected after Saturday and Sunday collections are reported.