Himesh Reshammiya's latest film, Badass Ravi Kumar, has kicked off with impressive box office collections, defying initial predictions and marking a significant return for the musician-turned-actor. The film opened on February 7, 2025, and is estimated to have grossed between Rs. 3 crores to Rs. 4.75 crores on its first day.
According to various reports, the film might have generated between Rs. 2.49 crores and Rs. 4.75 crores. Sacnilk reported about Rs. 2.49 crores, reflecting initial figures, which were below earlier expectations of around Rs. 5.50-6 crores as noted by trade experts. Regardless, its performance has been touted as noteworthy, particularly against stiff competition from Loveyapa, which brought home only Rs. 1.33 crores on the same day.
Directed by Keith Gomes, Badass Ravi Kumar is said to capture the quintessential 80s masala filmmaking style, featuring over-the-top action and engaging music. The film also benefits from the popularity of its energetic soundtrack, featuring the hit song 'Taj Mahal'. Himesh Reshammiya has once again showcased his musical talents, assuring fans of high-octane entertainment and dramatic flair.
Acknowledging the audience's appetite for nostalgia, this film serves as a spin-off of Reshammiya's 2014 venture The Xpose. Comparing its box office performance to his previous works, Badass Ravi Kumar has outshined his debut film, Aap Kaa Surroor, which opened at Rs. 1.79 crores back in 2007, thereby affirming his staying power with fans.
While some articles initially speculated the first-day earnings to be on the higher end, the film's overall reception indicates its success within modest expectations. The overall occupancy rate for the film stood at approximately 14.55%, with unique performance metrics across different showing times—recording 13.09% during the morning and peaking to 16.75% for evening slots.
Though some box office reporting has cast doubts on its longevity based on early reactions and mixed reviews, the buzz on social media has played to its advantage, driving ticket sales to about 39,000 by the day’s end, with projections estimating potential bumps to 45,000-50,000.
Reshammiya's film finds itself at the crossroads of uncertain projections and palpable excitement among his loyal fan base, with the unique selling proposition being the novelty of the entertainment experience. “Given the competition it has had, the film is doing wonders,” expressed one distributor, emphasizing the possibility of it threatening to outpace both Loveyapa and previous mediocre releases.
Critically, the film has received mixed responses, with humor and outrageous dialogue scenes being focal points of much online discussion. Reviewers from multiple outlets have emphasized the film’s unapologetic embrace of absurdity, with comments such as, “This film is an assault on not just the villain but our senses too,” pointing to both its comedic and over-the-top action elements.
Despite the mixed critiques, the financial aspect reflects positively; the production was carried out on a budget of Rs. 21 crores, which has already been recouped through non-theatrical revenues, including music rights and subsidies. The anticipated theatrical earnings, alongside digital and satellite rights valued at Rs. 15 crores, suggest profitable outcomes for the team behind Badass Ravi Kumar.
All things considered, the opening day performance of Badass Ravi Kumar has captivated viewers and industry insiders alike, as cinema-goers continue to rally around Himesh Reshammiya's unique charm. Audiences are eager to see if the film can maintain its momentum and achieve notable success as the weekend progresses.