The romantic comedy Mere Husband Ki Biwi, featuring Arjun Kapoor, Bhumi Pednekar, and Rakul Preet Singh, had a lackluster entry at the box office, earning approximately ₹1.5 crores on its opening day, February 21, 2025. Despite extensive marketing and promotional efforts, the film was overshadowed by the successful release of Vicky Kaushal’s Chhaava, which grossed an impressive ₹23 crores on the same day.
Mere Husband Ki Biwi was highly anticipated due to its star-studded cast and the experience of director Mudassar Aziz, who previously directed the film Khel Khel Mein. Unfortunately, the romantic comedy's slow start raises concerns about its sustainability at the box office, especially considering it was produced on an estimated budget of ₹60 crores.
On its opening day, Mere Husband Ki Biwi recorded only 14.86% occupancy rates across Hindi theatres. The intakes were insufficient to make a significant impact, with many attributing this to Chhaava's success. The competition was fierce not only from other films but also from high-profile Hollywood releases like Babygirl, featuring Nicole Kidman. The film collected ₹2 crores according to some estimates, but general reports have cited ₹1.5 crores as the most accurate figure.
Despite the film's commercial struggles, there were efforts to appeal to audiences through promotional tactics. The marketing team implemented a buy-one-get-one-free (BOGO) ticket offer for the opening weekend, hoping to boost sales and attract walk-in audiences. Movie critic and industry analyst Taran Adarsh shared the news on social media, highlighting this strategy as part of the film's approach to combat stiff competition at the box office.
Star Bhumi Pednekar expressed her optimism about the film's performance, stating, “I feel when a celebration like this happens, then the audience is in the mood to go to cinemas and I really hope... I really want to congratulate Vicky, Laxman Sir, Rashmika…” Her sentiments reflect the impact of the successful Chhaava on audience engagement for competing films.
Though potential was noted from the performances of the cast, including Arjun Kapoor’s portrayal of Ankur Chaddha, the first-day figures did not meet expectations. The plot revolves around the chaotic love life of Ankur, which is complicated by the arrival of his ex-wife, played by Bhumi, and his current love interest, portrayed by Rakul. Amidst this setup, the film was expected to deliver humor and drama, vitally missing the mark according to early reviews.
Arjun himself remarked on the filming process, stating on Instagram, “The entire ‘journey from shooting the film to promotions and everything in between was an escapade! Not just coz I was working with my friends but also coz this film was just a laughter riot…” This enthusiasm showcases the fun behind the scenes, even if the audience response was muted.
Despite its initial setback, Mere Husband Ki Biwi remains focused on maximizing its reach through weekend ticket promotions. Film analysts suggest its future performance will rely heavily on word-of-mouth reviews and the audience's willingness to engage with it over the weekend.
Many hoped the engagement from the film’s fan base could translate to improved box office figures. Nonetheless, with films like Chhaava continuing to dominate and other releases performing strongly, Mere Husband Ki Biwi faces challenges securing its place at the box office.
While various factors could influence its success moving forward, the upcoming days will be pivotal for the romantic comedy's box office viability as it competes with both established films and new releases alike.