'Mere Husband Ki Biwi,' the romantic comedy directed by Mudassar Aziz, hit theaters on February 21, 2025, and quickly became the talk of the town.
Featuring Arjun Kapoor as Ankur Chaddha, qualities of the engaging cast extend to Bhumi Pednekar as Prabhleen Dhillon, who bas allures as Ankur’s bold ex-wife, and Rakul Preet Singh as the new love interest, Antara Khanna. The trio leads the film through a whirlwind of humorous scenarios and romantic confusion, drawing family audiences to cinemas.
On its opening day, 'Mere Husband Ki Biwi' collected ₹1.5 crore at the Indian box office, showcasing solid attendance across Hindi theaters with an average occupancy rate of 14.86%.
Despite starting strong, the film faced stiff competition from 'Chhaava,' another blockbuster release starring Vicky Kaushal and Rashmika Mandanna, which has dominated ticket sales and grossed over ₹300 crore worldwide within days of its launch.
Industry observers noted early on the effective marketing strategy of 'Mere Husband Ki Biwi,' including promotional tactics like the 'buy one, get one free' ticket offer which aimed to increase foot traffic. Initial reports suggested this approach may not have been enough as weekend earnings proved lackluster, with the film earning only ₹1.25 crore on its second day, totaling ₹2.75 crore by Saturday.
The story revolves around Ankur Chaddha, portrayed by Kapoor, who navigates the puzzling circumstances brought about when his ex-wife, who develops retrograde amnesia, believes they are still together just as he is about to solidify his new relationship with Antara. This unexpected plot twist sets the stage for comedic encounters and awkward situations, enticing families to engage with the relatable narrative.
Audiences took to X (formerly Twitter) to share their reactions, with many praising the film's comedic elements and strong performances. Comments range from enthusiastic endorsements like, “Surprise package of the year! 10/10 entertaining,” to constructive critiques. A Twitter user echoed, “Bollywood should take notes! THIS is how you make a comedy.”
Fans identified the film’s writing and humor as strong points, expressing appreciation for how Aziz balanced comedy with emotion. Specific praise showered on Rakul Preet Singh's portrayal of Antara, with one fan stating, “#RakulPreetSingh was a total scene-stealer! She carried her role like a boss!”
While not everyone has been positive, as indicated by some disappointing reviews describing the film as “boring” or “mediocre,” the general sentiment sways positively toward the unique storyline and overall entertainment value. Despite varied opinions about the execution, many critics acknowledged the film’s capacity to spark discussions surrounding comedy and dramatic storytelling.
Arjun Kapoor’s performance received significant praise as well, with one viewer remarking, “His comic timing and confused expressions = pure entertainment!” Although the enthusiasm of audiences has not translated to full theater seats over the weekend, the film maintains hope for the future depending on audience retention and word-of-mouth reviews.
Box office analysts predict the fate of 'Mere Husband Ki Biwi' will hinge on sustaining audience interest, particularly as positive reviews circulate more broadly. Since the film released, the question remains whether it can regain momentum amid fierce competition.
The makers of 'Mere Husband Ki Biwi' are banking on the family's sentiments and humor appealing to post-release audiences to increase footfall and ticket sales. The filmmakers' aspiration to create engaging, relatable content may still help anchor the movie, encouraging more families to flock to theaters.
Overall, as 'Mere Husband Ki Biwi' seeks to carve its space amid competing movies, its future will depend greatly on audience reception, strategic marketing, and how effectively it maintains momentum against more prominent box office contenders such as 'Chhaava.' One thing remains clear, though—the film has already sparked conversations about its storytelling style, and only time will reveal the full extent of its success.