The weekend box office turned into a comedy showdown between Vir Das’s directorial debut ‘Happy Patel: Khatarnaak Spy’ and the ‘Fukrey’ stars’ latest ‘Rahu Ketu.’ Both hit theaters on January 16, setting the stage for a fun-filled Friday-to-Sunday skirmish that kept industry watchers glued.
‘Happy Patel’ follows the misadventures of a bumbling everyman who stumbles into spy territory, mixing laughs with thrills. Its performance was steady: 1.25 crore Friday, climbing to 1.60 crore Saturday amid positive word-of-mouth, then 1.50 crore Sunday for a three-day haul of 4.35 crore. Das’s multifaceted role has been praised for its charisma, though some critics noted pacing issues.
‘Rahu Ketu,’ powered by Pulkit Samrat and Varun Sharma’s antics, started stronger at 1 crore Friday, rode audience buzz to 1.65 crore Saturday, and closed with 1.75 crore Sunday, totaling 4.40 crore. Fans of their previous collaborations flocked in, boosting its edge.
With collections nearly tied—both crossing 4 crore—the battle underscores comedy’s enduring appeal. ‘Rahu Ketu’ noses ahead, but ‘Happy Patel’ shows promise for longevity. As multiplexes report steady footfalls, these films signal a bright spot for Bollywood’s humorous offerings in a diverse release calendar.