Despite the backing of Aamir Khan Productions and the long-awaited Hindi debut of South sensation Sai Pallavi, the romantic drama Ek Din has registered a surprisingly tepid start at the domestic box office. Collecting just ₹1.15 crore net on its opening day, the film faces an uphill battle to find its audience.
The Day 1 Breakdown
Directed by Sunil Pandey, the film arrived in theaters with significant industry curiosity but failed to translate that into footfalls.
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Net Collection: ₹1.15 crore
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India Gross: ₹1.37 crore
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Shows Nationwide: 1,961
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Average Occupancy: 14.3%
The performance in major national multiplex chains (PVR, INOX, Cinepolis) was particularly low, contributing only ₹26.70 lakh gross with a meager 4.40% occupancy.
A Strategy That Slipped?
In a rare move, the makers opened advance bookings a full month in advance—a strategy typically reserved for massive tentpole sequels or action spectacles. However, this extended window failed to generate the necessary “hype.” On release day, ticket sales on BookMyShow hovered around 14.56K, a modest figure for a production of this scale.
Why the Slow Start?
Several factors appear to be working against the film’s initial momentum:
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Niche Narrative: As a remake of the 2016 Thai hit One Day, the film is a slow-paced, emotional drama set in Japan. The “slice-of-life” treatment may have lacked the “theatrical hook” needed for a big opening.
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Stiff Competition: Ek Din is fighting for screen space against major heavyweights, including the Marathi historical epic Raja Shivaji and the Malayalam superstar reunion Patriot.
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Low-Key Buzz: Despite the star power of Junaid Khan and Sai Pallavi, the marketing failed to create the “event” feel required to draw audiences into theaters on a Friday.
Key Performance Indicators
| Platform / Chain | Gross Collection | Tickets Sold |
| PVR | ₹14.25 lakh | 4,950 |
| INOX | ₹8.91 lakh | 3,100 |
| Cinepolis | ₹3.52 lakh | 1,500 |
| Total (Top Chains) | ₹26.70 lakh | 9,550 |
The Verdict
With a start of ₹1.15 crore, Ek Din is now entirely dependent on exceptional word-of-mouth to see a jump on Saturday and Sunday. In an era where mid-budget romantic dramas often struggle against “spectacle” cinema, the Junaid Khan-starrer will need a miracle in urban centers to recover its costs.
