Arjun Kapoor, Bhumi Pednekar, and Rakul Preet Singh's latest film, Mere Husband Ki Biwi, released to surprising reviews on February 21, but the box office numbers tell quite a different story. While audiences and critics alike are noting the film’s enjoyable elements, it opened to lackluster earnings, competing directly with the hit film Chhaava, which has taken the box office by storm.
Despite the buzz surrounding Mere Husband Ki Biwi, its performance was lackluster. The film managed to earn ₹1.5 crore on its opening day, according to Sacnilk. Offering promotions such as buy one, get one free tickets on Friday did show some impact, but the long-term outlook remains grim. Moviegoers hope for turnaround numbers through positive word of mouth, but with only ₹1.11 lakh being earned by Saturday evening, the outlook looked concerning.
Industry trackers indicated the film found itself at ₹2.61 crore total earnings by the end of Saturday night. The substantial competition from Chhaava, which has amassed ₹246 crore overall, complicates matters for Mere Husband Ki Biwi. Chhaava earned ₹23 crore on its second Friday alone, showcasing its popularity and dominance at the box office.
Positive audience reception on social media platforms contrasted with early box office figures. Many took to X (formerly Twitter) to express their delight, crowning Mere Husband Ki Biwi as the surprise package of the year. They praised the film for its strong writing and relatable narrative. A user tweeted, "Bollywood should take notes! THIS is how you make a comedy without relying on lame jokes!" Another praised Mudassar Aziz's directing, noting, "Mere Husband Ki Biwi proves he’s a master of feel-good entertainers!" Yet, not all reactions were glowing; criticisms included comments on flat humour and ineffective storytelling, with some reviews calling the movie one of the worst they’d seen.
The film presents Ankur, played by Arjun Kapoor, caught between two women—his ex-wife, Prabhleen (Bhumi Pednekar), and his new love interest, Antara (Rakul Preet Singh). The storyline follows Ankur’s complications as he navigates this love triangle, intensified by Prabhleen’s sudden retrograde amnesia, prompting comedic and chaotic situations. The narrative draws on familiar tropes, yet the film's direction attempts to inject fresh humor and relatability.
While the cast drew attention, especially Bhumi and Rakul's performances, the overall reception pointed to mixed results. Many saw Rakul’s portrayal of Antara as particularly strong, earning her the title of 'scene-stealer' on social media. On the other hand, others felt Arjun's comic expressions and delivery were noteworthy, generating laughs. Users noted, “His comic timing combined with confused expressions resulted in pure entertainment.”
Critics pointed out various shortcomings, primarily related to the script's execution. A review from Hindustan Times stated, "The film had the potential to be hilarious but fell short on delivering consistent laughs and engaging emotion." This sentiment was echoed across multiple reviews, indicating the film simply didn't meet the expectations set by its promotional efforts.
The film’s challenges reflect broader issues faced by many contemporary Bollywood productions. Just prior to Mere Husband Ki Biwi, several films have struggled commercially, prompting discussions over audience preferences and resilience as the industry continues adapting to post-pandemic realities. Despite marketing efforts, reaching viewers has proven increasingly difficult.
Overall, Mere Husband Ki Biwi combines classic Bollywood themes with modern commentary, but its tepid opening largely overshadows the enthusiasm garnered from earlier reviews. The film has still some ground to cover if it hopes to recover and connect with the audience moving forward.
Whether the film continues to pick up steam over the weekend through positive word-of-mouth or finds itself lost to the competitive tide remains to be seen.