Mumbai, India, June 27, 2025 — Maa, the Hindi mythological horror thriller starring Kajol, opened to a modest ₹1.97 crore net in India on its first day, June 27, 2025, according to early estimates from Sacnilk. Directed by Vishal Furia and produced by Ajay Devgn, Jyoti Deshpande, and others under Jio Studios and Devgn Films, the film faced stiff competition from Aamir Khan’s Sitaare Zameen Par and Akshay Kumar’s Kannappa, impacting its performance despite positive audience buzz.
Day 1 Box Office Breakdown
India Net Collection: Maa earned approximately ₹1.97 crore net on its opening day, falling short of pre-release predictions of ₹4.50-6.50 crore, per Pinkvilla and Koimoi. The film’s Hindi 2D occupancy averaged 14.16%, with morning shows at 8.23%, afternoon shows peaking at 20.08%, and evening/night shows unreported due to limited data. It played on 1,250-1,500 screens across India, a scattered release due to competition from Sitaare Zameen Par’s strong hold and Kannappa’s simultaneous launch.
Worldwide Collection: Specific worldwide figures for Day 1 remain incomplete, with Sacnilk reporting no finalized data for overseas or gross collections. Early estimates suggest a global gross of ₹2.5-3 crore, factoring in limited international releases in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and Bengali. The film’s overseas performance is expected to be minimal, given its niche horror-mythology genre and lack of a major star-driven push abroad.
Advance Booking Trends: Advance bookings were underwhelming, with 54,550 tickets sold across 3,304 shows in 778 theaters, grossing ₹1 crore, per @BFilmyOfficiaI on X. Posts on X, like @addatoday’s, noted a pickup in noon show occupancy, suggesting walk-in audiences bolstered collections.
Budget and Verdict Outlook
Budget: Maa was produced on a reported budget of ₹50 crore, including ₹40 crore for production and ₹10 crore for prints and advertising, per MTWiki. To achieve a “hit” status, it needs to gross ₹30 crore net in India, a challenging target given its Day 1 figures and competition.
Verdict Potential: Despite the modest start, positive word-of-mouth could drive growth over the weekend. X posts, such as @realboxoffice2’s claim of “very positive” early reactions and @Gaurav_5599’s prediction of a ₹5 crore opening, suggest optimism for a weekend jump to ₹15-20 crore. However, Koimoi noted a dip in buzz post-trailer, citing limited promotional push and a non-holiday release as hurdles. The film’s fate hinges on Saturday and Sunday collections, with a projected lifetime of ₹25-30 crore net if momentum holds.
Performance Context and Challenges
Maa, part of the Shaitaan universe, benefits from the 2024 hit’s halo effect, with Kajol’s “fearless” and “gripping” performance earning praise on X (@NaveenA78113109). The trailer generated excitement for its blend of horror, emotion, and mythology, but competition from Sitaare Zameen Par (₹59.90 crore opening weekend) and Kannappa (₹17-20 crore Day 1 estimate) limited its screen count and audience share. The film’s U/A certification and 2-hour-15-minute runtime appeal to families, but its niche genre may cap broader appeal.
Trade analyst Sumit Kadel told Times of India that Maa’s opening, while below expectations, is “decent for a Kajol-led horror film.” He noted that surpassing Shahid Kapoor’s Deva (₹5.78 crore Day 1) would secure a top-10 Bollywood opening for 2025, but current figures suggest it may fall short.
What This Means
Maa’s ₹1.97 crore Day 1 collection reflects a cautious start, constrained by competition and modest pre-sales. Its ₹50 crore budget demands strong weekend growth to avoid a “flop” verdict, with positive audience reactions offering hope. Publishers should monitor weekend figures and overseas data, expected by June 28, for a clearer picture. The film’s performance underscores the challenges of mid-budget horror films in a crowded market, with Kajol’s star power and the Shaitaan brand as key drivers. If weekend occupancy rises, Maa could carve a niche, but it faces an uphill battle to hit ₹30 crore.
