Jaat box office collection day 2: Sunny Deol’s action drama slows after fiery start but stays ahead of Salman’s Sikandar

Sunny Deol’s return to the big screen in Jaat, a pan-India action thriller directed by Gopichand Malineni, opened to strong box office numbers on April 10, 2025, affirming the veteran actor’s popularity in mass circuits. The film saw a robust debut on Thursday, collecting approximately ₹9.5 crore across India. However, the second day witnessed a modest dip with collections estimated at ₹6.5 crore, bringing the two-day total to around ₹16 crore. Despite the slight drop, Jaat has outpaced Salman Khan’s Sikandar in terms of momentum but trails behind Ajith Kumar’s Tamil blockbuster Good Bad Ugly, which launched with a staggering ₹28.5 crore opening.

What contributed to Jaat’s strong box office opening?

Sunny Deol’s fanbase, particularly in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, continues to fuel his box office dominance in high-density single-screen markets. Following the monumental success of Gadar 2 in 2023, Deol’s comeback narrative gained new traction. The marketing campaign for Jaat leaned heavily on his action-hero persona, with trailers showcasing massy dialogues, stylized fight sequences, and emotional undertones that have traditionally resonated with Deol’s audience. Pre-release buzz was amplified by the release of the high-energy item number “Touch Kiya” and the devotional anthem “Oh Rama Shri Rama,” which coincided with Ram Navami.

The theatrical release across Hindi, Telugu, and Tamil circuits allowed the film to tap into a wider demographic, with southern markets contributing to early momentum. Advance bookings stood at ₹2.64 crore, indicating pent-up demand for a familiar face in a high-voltage, single-hero action narrative.

How has the film been received by audiences and critics?

Jaat received a mixed-to-positive critical reception. Many reviewers praised its unapologetic embrace of traditional mass entertainment tropes, including exaggerated heroism, slow-motion punches, and emotionally charged confrontations. Deol’s role as Brigadier Baldev Pratap Singh, a former army officer-turned-vigilante, struck a chord with audiences who yearn for old-school Bollywood action.

Randeep Hooda, who plays the antagonist Varadaraja Ranatunga—a Sri Lankan militant operating in coastal Andhra Pradesh—has been commended for his restrained yet menacing performance. Critics noted his transformation from reluctant villain to full-fledged antagonist as one of the film’s dramatic pivots.

However, others criticized the screenplay for its lack of innovation, pointing to a formulaic structure that relies heavily on Deol’s persona rather than plot progression. The 153-minute runtime also drew attention, with some arguing that the narrative could have benefited from tighter editing.

What is the film’s narrative and who forms the ensemble cast?

Jaat is set in the remote village of Ramayapatnam in Andhra Pradesh’s Prakasam district. The plot follows Baldev Singh, a retired brigadier who stumbles upon the atrocities committed by Varadaraja Ranatunga and his brother Somulu. Upon witnessing the terror inflicted on the villagers and the failure of law enforcement, he takes justice into his own hands. Assisted by local officers and villagers, Baldev leads a resistance against Ranatunga’s regime.

The film features a sprawling cast including Regina Cassandra as Bharathi, Saiyami Kher as Sub-Inspector Vijaya Lakshmi, Ramya Krishnan as President Vasundhara, and Jagapathi Babu as CBI Officer Sathya Murthy. Supporting roles are played by Vineet Kumar Singh, Babloo Prithiveeraj, Zarina Wahab, and Ajay Ghosh. Urvashi Rautela makes a special appearance in the dance number “Touch Kiya”.

What are the production and release highlights?

Announced in June 2024 by Mythri Movie Makers and People Media Factory, Jaat was originally envisioned with Ravi Teja in the lead. However, after the breakout success of Gadar 2, Sunny Deol was approached and eventually signed on for ₹50 crore. Gopichand Malineni, fresh from the success of Veera Simha Reddy, made his Hindi debut with this project.

Principal photography began mid-2024 and covered diverse locations including Hyderabad, Bapatla, Mangalore, and Visakhapatnam. Action scenes were choreographed by Anal Arasu, Peter Hein, and Ram-Lakshman. The soundtrack by Thaman S marks his second Bollywood outing after Baby John. Songs were released throughout early April 2025 and have seen significant digital traction.

Netflix has acquired the post-theatrical streaming rights, although no premiere date has been announced.

How does Jaat compare to competing box office releases?

While Jaat has comfortably surpassed the opening numbers of Sikandar, its performance pales next to Ajith Kumar’s Good Bad Ugly, which also hails from Mythri Movie Makers. The simultaneous release of two star-led action films from the same studio marks a rare box office showdown. Trade analysts have observed that while Jaat is leading in North India, Good Bad Ugly has maintained its dominance in Tamil Nadu and key metro cities.

Nonetheless, the dual release strategy may benefit Mythri Movie Makers by hedging regional and linguistic appeal, especially with both films exploring action-driven storytelling rooted in personal revenge arcs.

What lies ahead for Jaat in its box office journey?

Weekend numbers will play a pivotal role in determining whether Jaat sustains its early momentum. The film’s appeal in rural belts, coupled with its patriotic undertones and populist message, suggests that it may enjoy a steady run if word-of-mouth remains positive. However, with high-budget releases lined up later in April and early May, the film will need to maintain strong weekday numbers to be declared a commercial success.

From a broader industry standpoint, Jaat reinforces the enduring viability of the single-hero action genre in India’s fragmented theatrical landscape. While urban audiences may gravitate toward more nuanced storytelling, Tier-2 and Tier-3 markets continue to reward films with strong emotional cores and established stars.