This Friday, distributors expected decent crowds in theatres, but audiences stayed away. Mastiii 4 and 120 Bahadur released on the same day, yet viewers showed very little interest. Both films opened with poor collections and weak response across major centres.
Early reactions to 120 Bahadur were highly positive, but that buzz never translated into footfall. The film collected only ₹2.25 crore. Promotional material was attached to several films in recent months, but Farhan Akhtar is not a big enough draw to pull audiences on his own, especially when viewers want fresh ideas instead of real-life stories.
Mastiii 4 opened at the same level, even lower than the ₹2.50 crore collected by the third part. The lack of buzz was visible before release. Netizens said creator Indra Kumar should have directed the film instead of Milap Milan Zaveri. The franchise peaked with its second part but fell sharply afterward.
For now, 120 Bahadur must rely on word-of-mouth to gain momentum. With a budget of ₹100 crore and big releases like Dhurandhar arriving soon, recovery looks uncertain. Mastiii 4 has already been rejected. Shows are being cancelled, and the ones running have barely 50% occupancy.
Trade experts blame producers for ignoring the balance between star value and strong scripts. Bollywood has faced repeated setbacks this year, and a ₹2 crore opening cannot be celebrated. Big films are lined up, yet makers are not learning from recent failures. The current situation shows the need for urgent change in how films are conceived and made.
