Mumbai, April 14, 2025 – Bollywood’s veteran action star Sunny Deol has returned to the big screen with his latest film, Jaat, co-starring Randeep Hooda and Regina Cassandra. Following the massive success of Gadar 2, expectations were high for Jaat, but early box office figures suggest a rocky start.
After a promising opening weekend, Jaat saw a significant dip in earnings on its fourth day, with early estimates indicating a collection of ₹3.72 crore on Monday, April 14, 2025. This brought the total domestic box office collection to ₹29.97 crore, according to industry tracker Sacnilk. The film's performance, while not disastrous, is below the expectations set by Deol’s previous blockbuster run.
Here’s a quick breakdown of Jaat’s box office performance so far:
The film’s production and promotion budget is estimated at ₹100 crore, meaning it needs to cross ₹80 crore at the domestic box office to break even after distribution and marketing costs. This places Jaat in recovery mode, heavily relying on weekday holds, positive word of mouth, and its appeal in regional markets.
Directed by Gopichand Malineni and produced by People Media Factory and Mythri Movie Makers, Jaat tells the story of a mysterious drifter (played by Deol) who brings justice to a coastal village plagued by a tyrannical leader, Ranatunga (Hooda). The film blends classic revenge themes with high-octane action sequences, appealing to fans of mass entertainers.
Audience reactions have been mixed. While many praised Deol’s raw intensity and Hooda’s compelling performance, some critics noted weaknesses in the script and pacing. Positive aspects highlighted include the film's action choreography and the surprise of Regina Cassandra in her role as a female villain. However, the film's lack of depth and cohesion in storyline has drawn criticism.
On social media, reactions have varied widely. A fan tweeted, “Randeep Hooda owned every scene. Sunny Paaji is fire, but we needed a tighter story.” Another fan expressed excitement over Cassandra's role, saying, “Regina as a lady villain? Loved it! Want more roles like this in Bollywood.” However, some fans expressed disappointment, stating they expected a hit on the level of Gadar.
According to trade sources, Jaat saw a noticeable dip in occupancy on Monday, with morning shows at 6.4%, afternoon shows at 10.1%, and evening shows projected to be around 14.8%. Such weekday drop-offs are common following a front-loaded weekend.
Looking ahead, analysts predict that Jaat could close its first week with total earnings between ₹38–42 crore, depending on factors such as weekday footfall in Tier 2 and 3 cities and retention in mass appeal regions like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, and Maharashtra. The upcoming Friday could be crucial, as new releases may significantly impact its screen count.
Despite the lukewarm response to Jaat, Sunny Deol has two high-profile projects lined up that may help reshape his filmography in 2025. The first, Lahore 1947, produced by Aamir Khan, features Preity Zinta and Shabana Azmi and is based on a Partition-era drama expected to be content-driven. The second, Border 2, is a sequel to the iconic war film Border (1997) and co-stars Ahan Shetty, Diljit Dosanjh, Varun Dhawan, and Paramveer Cheema.
Critical reviews have been mixed as well. The Hindustan Herald described the film as a decent entertainer, saved by the performances of Deol and Hooda, while the Times of India rated it three out of five stars, calling it an action-heavy ride with a forgettable plot. In contrast, Firstpost gave it a lower rating of 2.5 out of 5, citing a promising cast held back by weak execution.
As the week progresses, Jaat remains in a wait-and-watch phase. While it hasn’t bombed at the box office, it faces challenges in achieving profitability without a significant boost from satellite and OTT rights. The coming days will be critical in determining whether the film can maintain momentum and reach its financial goals.
In summary, Jaat has had a mixed start, with promising elements overshadowed by concerns about its overall execution. As audiences continue to weigh in, the film's fate will depend on its ability to hold its ground in the coming week.
