The numbers arriving from the first day of release for Hindustan Times and trade data provider Sacnilk paint a stark picture of a lukewarm start. Ek Din collected ₹0.81 crore net in India on its opening day, a figure that represents a modest start for a production released under the Aamir Khan Productions banner.
The most telling metric is not just the raw total, but the 14% overall occupancy. The film struggled to find a wide audience on Friday, facing a quiet opening during its first day in theaters. This opening is particularly notable because it failed to beat the opening of Loveyapa (2025), Junaid Khan’s theatrical debut, which collected ₹1.15 crore despite also not faring well at the box office.
A struggle to meet the romantic benchmark
When viewed against the broader landscape of romantic dramas, the difference in performance is evident. While Ek Din struggled to cross the ₹1 crore mark, other titles in the same vein have seen vastly different trajectories. Sai Pallavi’s hit Telugu film Love Story, for instance, collected ₹9.05 crore on its opening day.
The disparity is even more evident when compared to the high-water marks of the genre. Hindi cinema’s best-performing romantic drama, Saiyaara (2025), opened to ₹21.50 crore. By failing to outperform even a previous commercial disappointment like Loveyapa, Ek Din enters its first weekend with a lower starting base than its predecessor.
This commercial softness occurs despite the involvement of the production house. Produced by Aamir Khan, Mansoor Khan, and Aparna Purohit, the film carried the weight of a high-profile launch for its leads. The project was also subject to a timeline shift; originally scheduled for a November 2025 release, the film was pushed to May 1.
The tension between occupancy and artistry
There is a visible disconnect between the 14% occupancy and the critical reception of the lead performances. While the box office is cold, the feedback regarding Sai Pallavi’s Bollywood debut has been notably warmer. A review from Hindustan Times highlights a divide in the screen presence of the two leads.
“Junaid largely fits the part. He holds his own in the emotional stretches, but as the film inches towards the climax, the writing stops doing him a favour and he begins to falter. And then there’s Sai Pallavi. She’s so effortlessly compelling that she commands your attention every time she’s on screen, and you feel her absence just as much when she isn’t. Her eyes do the heavy lifting with ease.” Hindustan Times Review
This assessment suggests that while the lead actress provides a strong anchor, the film’s overall structure may be lacking. The same review notes that Ek Din settles for something far more fleeting
and never quite hits the emotional crescendo it seems to be chasing
, even if it is occasionally affecting
due to Pallavi’s performance.
Aamir Khan has been vocal in his support of the cast. At a promotional event, he praised Pallavi’s skill, stating,
“Sai has done such an amazing job, you are going to get blown away. For me, Sai is the best actress we have in our country today.
Regarding his son’s second theatrical release, Aamir noted that Junaid did a good job, though he jokingly added that as his father, he might be biased. He further stated that all the cast members performed well and expressed his happiness for the team.
Remake origins and production stakes
The struggle for commercial traction may be linked to the film’s identity as a remake. Directed by Sunil Pandey, Ek Din is based on the 2016 Thai film One Day. The production sought to adapt the story for a new audience, and the critical feedback suggests the writing may have faltered in the final act.
The emotional investment from the production side was evident even before the public release. During a screening in Mumbai, Aamir Khan reportedly teared up after watching the film, indicating a belief in the project’s emotional core that has yet to translate into ticket sales.
For Junaid Khan, this second release is another opportunity to build his presence and draw an audience. Having failed to surpass the opening of Loveyapa, the pressure now shifts to whether the film can sustain its current numbers or find a second wind through positive word-of-mouth.
The primary focus now shifts to the weekend trajectory. With a Day 1 collection of ₹0.81 crore, the film’s viability depends on whether the critical praise for Sai Pallavi can translate into an increase in occupancy for Saturday and Sunday. The industry will be watching to see if the film’s
occasionally affectingmoments are enough to reverse the trend of a dull opening.
