Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari: Buzz, Backlash, Box Office

Mumbai, October 2: The promotions for Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari have been loud, colourful, and relentless. Now, on the eve of release, the big question is whether that noise will translate into footfalls at the box office. Directed by Shashank Khaitan, the film pairs Varun Dhawan and Janhvi Kapoor in a frothy romantic comedy at a time when Bollywood hasn’t quite figured out if audiences still want them.

The Early Word

The film’s first round of reactions is already trickling in from previews and social media. A chunk of moviegoers are calling it a “feel-good family entertainer,” the kind of film you watch with your parents, laugh at the songs, and leave humming the chorus. According to The Economic Times, Twitter timelines have been generous, praising the humour and chemistry of the ensemble cast.

But let’s be honest: Twitter praise doesn’t always match ticket sales. A few cheerful hashtags don’t guarantee long queues at multiplexes. Right now, it’s just chatter.

The Trailer Event That Went Wrong

The film’s big trailer launch last week should have been a smooth run of photo ops and soundbites. Instead, it was overshadowed by a moment that spiralled online. As The Times of India reported, Varun Dhawan cut across Janhvi Kapoor while she was talking about the misuse of AI in the entertainment industry.

The clip blew up almost instantly. Viewers found his interruption dismissive; some even labelled it disrespectful. Kapoor herself didn’t react much in the moment, but the internet certainly did. Whether or not it affects the film is another matter Bollywood stars survive gaffes like this all the time. Still, it was a reminder of how every stray remark can snowball into a headline.

The Money Game

On paper, Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari isn’t walking into an easy Friday. The bookings have crossed ₹2 crore, which is decent but nowhere near what its main competitor, Rishabh Shetty’s Kantara: Chapter 1, has managed. Trade reports in The Times of India suggest the opening day could land in the ₹8–10 crore range. Respectable, yes, but a little underwhelming for a mainstream Varun Dhawan release.

Director Shashank Khaitan, who has worked with Dhawan before, admitted to Maharashtra Times that box office clashes are complicated. It’s never just about who has the bigger star. Programming, audience loyalty, and even regional pull can shift the balance. And right now, Kantara is enjoying a wave of cultural momentum that might be hard to beat.

A Genre At Crossroads

This film is interesting for another reason. It’s trying to revive the glossy, urban rom-com a format that Bollywood once churned out effortlessly, but which has struggled post-pandemic. Audiences have leaned heavily into action, thrillers, and mythological spectacles. The rom-com, meanwhile, has been gasping for relevance.

If Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari finds takers, it might give the genre a much-needed lifeline. If it doesn’t, it will only deepen the suspicion that family-friendly romances are better left to OTT, not 70mm.

What Happens Next

The final verdict will be announced by Friday night. Critics are expected to weigh in once the first shows wrap, and that early batch of reviews will shape Saturday’s footfalls. For now, the film has goodwill on social media and the usual pre-release buzz, but it’s stepping into a crowded box office ring.

Sometimes, that’s where films find their fight. Other times, they get buried before the second weekend. By this time tomorrow, we’ll know which way Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari is headed.

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Ayesha Khan

Entertainment Correspondent – Ayesha@hindustanherald.in – Web

Covers films, television, streaming, and celebrity culture with a focus on storytelling trends.

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