Param Sundari Day 1 Box Office Early Updates: Sidharth Malhotra and Janhvi Kapoor’s Rom-Com Starts Steady But Lags Behind Saiyaara’s Blockbuster Opening

The much-anticipated Bollywood rom-com Param Sundari, starring the dynamic duo of Sidharth Malhotra and Janhvi Kapoor, hit theaters on August 29, 2025, amid considerable buzz. Directed by Tushar Jalota and produced by Maddock Films, the film promises a fresh take on a cross-cultural North-South love story, complete with catchy tunes by Sachin-Jigar and a supporting cast including Akshaye Khanna and Abhishek Bachchan. While early audience reactions have been largely positive, praising the lead pair’s sizzling chemistry and feel-good vibes, the Day 1 box office collections tell a more grounded story. As per initial estimates, the film is off to a slow but steady start, far from matching the explosive opening day earnings of this year’s debut sensation Saiyaara.

Early Box Office Trends: A Modest Opening for Param Sundari

Tracking data from advance bookings showed promise, with around 35,000–40,000 tickets sold in pre-sales across major chains, closing at an impressive 58,000 on BookMyShow (BMS)—marking the fourth-best pre-sales for a romantic Bollywood film in recent times. However, the morning shows on release day painted a different picture. Occupancy rates hovered in the low single digits, failing to crack the top three for romantic comedies this year, with earnings struggling to hit even ₹50 lakh in the early slots.

By afternoon, things picked up slightly, with collections reaching approximately ₹2.35 crore from matinee shows. Trade analysts are now projecting a total Day 1 nett collection in the ₹6-10 crore range for India, with some optimistic estimates eyeing ₹9-11 crore if evening and night shows see a surge in footfalls. Globally, including overseas markets, the film could push towards ₹12-15 crore on opening day, but domestic performance remains key for its weekend momentum.

Compared to Sidharth Malhotra’s past openers like Yodha (₹4.25 crore) or Janhvi Kapoor’s Dhadak (₹8.71 crore), Param Sundari is poised to be a step up for both, potentially becoming Janhvi’s second-highest opener after Dhadak. Yet, in the broader 2025 landscape, it’s not challenging heavyweights like Chhaava (₹29 crore) or War 2 (₹28 crore). The film’s runtime of 2 hours and 16 minutes, combined with around 2,700 screens and 8,000 shows in India, provides a solid platform, but word-of-mouth will be crucial.

How Does It Stack Up Against Saiyaara’s Opening Day Triumph?

The real talking point, however, is the stark contrast with Saiyaara, the July 2025 release that marked the debut of Ahaan Panday (Sunny Deol’s nephew) and Aneet Padda. That film shattered expectations for a debutant-led project, raking in a whopping ₹19.6-22 crore nett on its opening day in India alone—setting an all-time record for newcomers and even surpassing established stars like Ajay Devgn and Aamir Khan in some metrics. Saiyaara‘s success was fueled by massive hype, strong advance bookings (projected at ₹9-12 crore initially but exceeding them), and nearly 9.75 lakh tickets sold on Day 1, leading to a domestic gross of over ₹318 crore eventually.

In comparison, Param Sundari‘s early footfalls are about 75% lower than Saiyaara‘s morning shows, highlighting the challenges of a rom-com in a market dominated by action-packed or high-concept films. While Saiyaara benefited from a fresh debutant buzz and aggressive marketing, Param Sundari relies more on star power and musical appeal. As one trade source noted, “Param Sundari is a feel-good entertainer, but it’s not the event film that Saiyaara became.” This gap underscores shifting audience preferences in 2025, where debut-driven stories have occasionally outshone established pairings.

Audience Reactions and Critical Buzz: Chemistry Saves the Day?

Despite the subdued box office start, social media is abuzz with praise for Param Sundari. Fans on X (formerly Twitter) have hailed it as a “breezy, feel-good entertainer” and the “rom-com of the year,” with many spotlighting Sidharth and Janhvi’s “stupidly cute” on-screen magic. One viewer tweeted, “The film beautifully highlights the strong chemistry between Sidharth Malhotra and Janhvi Kapoor. It is a fun, feel-good romcom with balanced humor and drama.” Director Tushar Jalota’s handling of the cultural clash theme has been appreciated, though some critics point out a “predictable plot” and “forced emotions,” suggesting it might appeal more to younger audiences drawn to Janhvi’s charm.

Public reviews from first-day-first-show (FDFS) screenings echo this sentiment, with audiences calling it a “must-watch” as the Saiyaara frenzy winds down. On platforms like IMDb and YouTube, early ratings hover around 3.5-4 stars, with the soundtrack and dance sequences getting special mentions. However, concerns about Sidharth’s age mismatch with Janhvi have surfaced in a few critiques, potentially impacting broader appeal.

What Lies Ahead: Weekend Potential and Long-Term Prospects

Looking forward, Param Sundari could see a jump over the weekend if positive word-of-mouth spreads. Analysts predict a ₹25-30 crore opening weekend if urban centers like Mumbai and Delhi respond well, but rural circuits might lag due to the urban-centric storyline. With a reported budget in the moderate range (around ₹50-60 crore, per industry whispers), the film needs to cross ₹100 crore lifetime to be deemed a hit, especially for Maddock Films aiming to rebound after mixed results earlier this year.

In a year where Bollywood has seen highs like Saiyaara‘s record-breaking run and lows from underperforming star vehicles, Param Sundari represents a return to light-hearted storytelling. While it’s far from Saiyaara‘s opening fireworks, its charm could sustain it through positive vibes and repeat viewings. Stay tuned for full Day 1 figures as evening reports roll in—will this rom-com turn the tide?

For more updates on Param Sundari box office, reviews, and Bollywood news, keep checking back. What are your thoughts on the film’s opening? Drop a comment below!

Note: All figures are based on early estimates and may vary. Box office data sourced from trade trackers like Sacnilk, Box Office India, and industry reports.