Akshay Kumar’s Housefull 5 Smashes ₹23 Crore on Day 1: Is This His Big Box Office Comeback?
Bollywood’s Khiladi, Akshay Kumar, is lighting up the box office once again with his latest laugh riot, Housefull 5. Released on June 6, 2025, the film stormed to a fantastic ₹23 crore nett collection on its opening day, sending fans into a frenzy. For Indian audiences who love their movies packed with comedy, drama, and star power, Housefull 5 is serving up a perfect weekend treat. After a rocky few years at the box office, could this be the comeback that Akshay Kumar’s fans have been praying for? Let’s break down the numbers, the excitement, and what this means for the superstar’s legacy.
A Blockbuster Opening for Housefull 5
Directed by Tarun Mansukhani and backed by Sajid Nadiadwala’s Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment, Housefull 5 is the latest chapter in the iconic Housefull franchise that’s been making India laugh since 2010. The film’s ₹23 crore opening day collection is Akshay Kumar’s biggest since Sooryavanshi (₹26.29 crore) in 2021 and a huge leap over his other 2025 releases like Sky Force (₹11.50 crore) and Kesari Chapter 2 (₹7.75 crore). It’s also the highest opening for any Housefull film, beating Housefull 4’s ₹19.08 crore.
What’s remarkable is that this haul came on a regular Friday, not a national holiday, showing the pull of Akshay and the Housefull brand. Trade reports from Sacnilk show a solid 28.88% Hindi occupancy across India, with evening and night shows hitting 45.65%. Cities like Mumbai, Delhi, and Pune saw packed theaters, while Chennai stole the show with 55% occupancy, driven by a massive 75% turnout at night. For Indian fans, this vibe is pure Bollywood magic, like the rush of watching Chennai Express or Baahubali during a festive season.
Why Housefull 5 Is Clicking
Housefull 5 is a rollercoaster of comedy, confusion, and classic Bollywood chaos. Set on a lavish cruise ship, the plot spins around a billionaire’s death and a ₹69 billion inheritance, with three men—Akshay Kumar, Riteish Deshmukh, and Abhishek Bachchan—claiming to be the heir. Throw in comedy legends like Nana Patekar, Sanjay Dutt, and Johnny Lever, along with Jacqueline Fernandez, Nargis Fakhri, and Sonam Bajwa, and you’ve got a star-packed entertainer that’s pure Housefull madness.
The film’s big talking point is its dual endings—Housefull 5A and Housefull 5B—a first for Bollywood. While 5A is drawing bigger crowds (28.88% occupancy vs. 16% for 5B), the gimmick has fans curious, much like choosing between two flavors of your favorite chaat. Indian audiences, who love the energy of films like Golmaal or Dhamaal, are eating up the non-stop gags, catchy songs like “Baby, Don’t You Leave Me,” and Akshay’s trademark comic timing. Trade expert Komal Nahta called it a “laugh-a-minute riot” that’s “tailor-made for family audiences.”
Akshay’s Box Office Struggles
To see why Housefull 5’s opening is such a big deal, we need to rewind. Akshay Kumar, once Bollywood’s most bankable star, has faced a tough spell. In 2024, films like Bade Miyan Chote Miyan, Sarfira, and Khel Khel Mein tanked, earning less than ₹100 crore combined. Even 2025’s Sky Force fizzled out, and while Kesari Chapter 2 did decently (₹92 crore total), it wasn’t a game-changer. Indian fans, who’ve cheered Akshay in hits like Hera Pheri, Airlift, and Rustom, have been eager for him to bounce back.
Housefull 5’s ₹23 crore start is a shot in the arm. It’s the third-biggest Bollywood opening of 2025, trailing only Chhaava (₹33.10 crore) and Sikandar (₹30.06 crore). For a comedy, it’s a record-breaker—the highest non-holiday opening ever for the genre, outdoing even Golmaal Again. On X, fans are buzzing, with posts like “Akshay is back with a bang!” and “Housefull 5 is Khiladi’s return to form.”
The Bakrid Holiday Advantage
Timing has worked wonders for Housefull 5. Releasing just before the Bakrid holiday on June 7, 2025, the film is cashing in on the festive mood. Families are thronging theaters, especially in urban hubs like Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad, where advance bookings for Saturday and Sunday are skyrocketing. Trade analysts predict a ₹70-75 crore weekend, with a shot at ₹100 crore in the first week if word-of-mouth stays strong. This festive boost is classic Bollywood, like how Tiger Zinda Hai or Bajrangi Bhaijaan turned holidays into box office gold.
Mixed Reviews and Big Challenges
Not everything is smooth sailing. Housefull 5 has split critics and audiences. While some love its “crazy comedy and high-energy vibe,” others have called it “overstuffed” or “lacking a coherent plot.” On X, fans praise Akshay’s “electric performance,” but some feel the dual endings are confusing. Indian audiences, who adore both slapstick (Welcome) and clever comedies (Andaz Apna Apna), are torn on whether Housefull 5 matches the franchise’s earlier gems.
The film’s ₹225 crore budget is another hurdle. To turn a profit, it needs to gross ₹400-450 crore worldwide, a tough ask given Akshay’s recent flops. However, ₹135 crore from streaming, satellite, and music rights has eased the pressure. The overseas market is also promising, with an estimated $3.5 million opening weekend in markets like the UK, US, and UAE, where Akshay has a strong fanbase.
Is This the Comeback?
So, is Housefull 5 Akshay Kumar’s big comeback? The early signs say yes. The ₹23 crore opening proves he can still draw crowds, especially with a trusted franchise like Housefull, which has grossed over ₹800 crore worldwide across its run. The film’s family-friendly appeal and holiday timing give it a shot at crossing ₹150-200 crore in India, which would rank it among Akshay’s top earners like Good Newwz (₹201.14 crore) or Housefull 4 (₹210.31 crore).
The road ahead depends on sustaining the buzz. If Housefull 5 holds steady over the weekend and avoids a Monday crash—unlike Bade Miyan Chote Miyan—it could mark a turning point. Indian fans are hopeful, seeing shades of the Akshay who ruled the 2010s with back-to-back hits. His upcoming slate, including Hera Pheri 3 and Welcome 3, suggests he’s doubling down on comedy, his strongest suit.
A Khiladi Worth Rooting For
For Indian audiences, Akshay Kumar is a household name—the star who gave us Bhool Bhulaiyaa’s laughs, Baby’s thrills, and Pad Man’s heart. Housefull 5’s opening is a reminder of why we love him: his energy, his charm, and his ability to make us laugh till our sides hurt. As theaters buzz this Bakrid weekend, the Khiladi is proving he’s still got it.
Will Housefull 5 be the blockbuster that puts Akshay back on top? With fans chanting his name and box office numbers climbing, the stage is set for a grand comeback. Grab your popcorn, head to the nearest theater, and join the Housefull madness—Akshay Kumar is ready to rule again!
Last Updated on: Saturday, June 7, 2025 10:22 pm by Charan Sai Reddy | Published by: Charan Sai Reddy on Saturday, June 7, 2025 10:21 pm | News Categories: Entertainment
About Us: The Statesman India covers the latest News on Current News, Business, Sports, Tech, Entertainment, Lifestyle, Automobiles, and more, led by Editor-in-Chief Ankur Srivastava. Stay connected on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X (formerly Twitter), Google News, and Whatsapp Channel.
Disclaimer: At The Statesman India, we are committed to providing accurate, reliable, and thoroughly verified information, sourced from trusted media outlets. For more details, please visit our About, Disclaimer, Terms & Conditions, and Privacy Policy. If you have any questions, feedback, or concerns, feel free to contact us through email.
Contact Us: newssites1234@gmail.com
About The Author
