As the clock ticks down to the highly anticipated release of Jolly LLB 3 on September 19, 2025, Bollywood finds itself abuzz with speculation, excitement, and a touch of nervous energy. The third installment of the much-loved courtroom comedy-drama franchise brings together two of the industry’s most charismatic stars, Akshay Kumar and Arshad Warsi, for the very first time—a move that’s already sending fans and industry watchers into a frenzy. Directed and written by series creator Subhash Kapoor, the film promises a fresh legal tussle, plenty of laughs, and, if early indicators hold true, the franchise’s biggest box office opening yet.
According to Republic World, Jolly LLB 3 will enjoy a wide release, rolling out across more than 3,500 screens with approximately 10,000 shows scheduled throughout India. This massive distribution is a clear statement of confidence from the producers, banking on the franchise’s established popularity and the drawing power of its lead actors. The film’s trailer has been well received, generating a healthy buzz online and offline. Yet, as with so many big-ticket releases, the real test lies in ticket sales—and here, the story is a bit more nuanced.
Advance bookings for Jolly LLB 3 initially moved at a measured pace. By 8 p.m. on September 18, just hours before the film’s debut, nearly 100,000 tickets had been snapped up, resulting in advance booking collections of ₹2.62 crore. While this is a strong showing, it sits below the advance booking numbers posted by other recent blockbusters like Sky Force (₹3.82 crore) and Housefull 5 (₹8.02 crore), but comfortably ahead of Kesari: Chapter 2 (₹1.84 crore). As Sacnilk reports, these numbers reflect a slow but steady momentum, with a noticeable uptick in the final hours before release—a sign that word of mouth and last-minute decision-making could play a decisive role in the film’s opening day fortunes.
So, what does this mean for the film’s box office prospects? Industry analysts and trade trackers are cautiously optimistic. As Sacnilk points out, Jolly LLB 3 is expected to surpass the opening day advance sales of Aamir Khan’s Sitaare Zameen Par, which managed ₹3.31 crore in advance bookings and went on to collect ₹10.70 crore net on its first day across 3,300 screens. With Jolly LLB 3 boasting a slightly larger release footprint and the combined star power of Kumar and Warsi, projections suggest an opening in the ₹11-12 crore net range—potentially even challenging the franchise’s own record set by Jolly LLB 2, which notched up ₹13.20 crore on its debut day back in 2017.
To understand the significance of these numbers, it’s worth taking a quick look back at the franchise’s journey. The original Jolly LLB hit cinemas in 2013, opening to ₹3.05 crore and eventually grossing ₹46 crore worldwide on a modest budget of ₹12 crore. Its success paved the way for Jolly LLB 2, which dramatically upped the ante, earning ₹197 crore globally during its lifetime run. Now, with the third film poised for release, the stakes have never been higher—for both the filmmakers and the stars involved.
But it’s not all smooth sailing. Jolly LLB 3 faces stiff competition at the box office, both from new releases and holdover titles. Chief among these is Ajey: The Untold Story Of A Yogi, a biopic centered on Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, which is expected to draw significant attention, particularly in northern India. Anurag Kashyap’s Nishaanchi is also hitting screens, promising a different flavor of drama for cinephiles. Meanwhile, international holdovers like The Conjuring: Last Rites and the anime juggernaut Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle are gearing up for strong second weekends, potentially siphoning off some of Jolly LLB 3’s audience.
Still, the general sentiment in the trade is upbeat. "The franchise value is expected to boost the spot booking, and if the reports are positive, it might even challenge Jolly LLB 2's opening of ₹13.20 crore net, but it is something which depends on how things go on the release day," notes Sacnilk. The presence of both Akshay Kumar and Arshad Warsi, reprising their respective 'Jolly' roles, is a major draw. Not only does this mark their first on-screen collaboration within the series, but it also taps into the nostalgia and goodwill built by the previous films. The chemistry between the two actors, both known for their comic timing and dramatic chops, is expected to be a significant selling point.
Moreover, the timing of the release—coming on the heels of a relatively quiet period for major Bollywood launches—could work in the film’s favor. With minimal direct competition from other Hindi films, Jolly LLB 3 has a clear runway to capitalize on pent-up audience demand. Early trends suggest that the film is set to deliver one of Akshay Kumar’s better openings in recent years, a welcome boost for the superstar whose recent releases have seen mixed results at the box office.
Of course, much will depend on the audience’s reaction once the film actually hits theaters. As industry veterans will tell you, pre-release buzz and advance bookings are only part of the equation. The real test is the word of mouth that emerges after the first few shows—will viewers be charmed by the legal antics and comedic banter, or will the film struggle to match the high expectations set by its predecessors?
Looking ahead, if Jolly LLB 3 manages to strike the right chord with audiences, its weekend collections could see a healthy surge, setting the stage for another successful outing for the franchise. As Republic World puts it, "Jolly LLB 3 is very likely to hit double digits on its opening day in India. However, where it eventually lands will depend on how the movie is received by the audiences."
In the end, the coming days will reveal whether Jolly LLB 3 can live up to the hype and carve out its own place in Bollywood’s box office history. For now, all eyes are on the ticket counters—and the verdict, as always, is in the hands of the audience.
