By Ayesha Khan 
Kochi, December 26: Mohanlal’s much-anticipated pan-Indian release Vrusshabha has stumbled badly out of the gate, recording one of the weakest opening-day performances of the superstar’s career, despite a Christmas release window and a multi-language rollout.
The early indicators from BookMyShow sales data, trade estimates, and social media reactions collectively paint a sobering picture for a project that was positioned as a high-budget mythological action spectacle aimed at both domestic and overseas markets.
According to Koimoi, Vrusshabha sold only around six tickets per minute on BookMyShow during its opening day, a figure that signals alarmingly low audience interest for a mainstream holiday release starring one of Malayalam cinema’s most bankable names.
Disastrous Opening Day Numbers Shock Trade Circles
The most damaging data point came late Thursday evening, when The Times of India reported that Vrusshabha collected just ₹61 lakh net across India on Day 1, making it one of the lowest opening-day totals ever recorded for a Mohanlal starrer.
For context, even Mohanlal’s underperforming films in the last decade have typically opened above the ₹1 crore mark in India alone, particularly during festive windows.
Trade analysts tracking ticketing platforms noted that occupancy remained in single digits across multiple regions, including Kerala, Telangana, and parts of North India, where dubbed versions were released. Evening and night shows reportedly saw marginal walk-ins, but not enough to lift the overall average.
According to exhibitors quoted by industry trackers, several morning shows in Tier-2 centres were cancelled outright due to a lack of audience.
That said, the weak opening has raised immediate concerns about the film’s ability to sustain even a basic theatrical run.
BookMyShow Data Highlights Audience Apathy
The BookMyShow ticketing trend, cited by Koimoi, has emerged as a key metric in evaluating the film’s reception. Selling six tickets per minute across India on release day is far below the benchmark for a star-led release.
To put this in perspective, recent mid-budget Malayalam films without pan-India ambitions have recorded higher per-minute sales during non-holiday periods.
Industry observers point out that low digital buzz, minimal bookings, and limited word-of-mouth traction combined to suppress ticket demand. Pre-release expectations were already subdued, but the opening-day data confirmed worst-case projections.
According to theatre owners, the film failed to attract family audiences despite its festive release, a segment that typically boosts Christmas box office numbers.
Mixed Twitter Reactions Fail To Create Momentum
As reported by The Times of India, early audience reactions on X were sharply divided. While Mohanlal’s screen presence and commitment drew praise from a section of viewers, the overall response leaned negative.
Common criticisms included:
• Weak and predictable storytelling
• Unconvincing visual effects for a mythological narrative
• Inconsistent pacing and tonal shifts
Several users noted that the film’s ambition was evident but felt undermined by execution issues, particularly in CGI-heavy sequences that were expected to be a major selling point.
Still, a smaller section of fans defended the film, arguing that it may perform better among core Mohanlal loyalists over the weekend. For now, that support has not translated into ticket sales.
Budget Pressure And Break-Even Concerns Mount
Adding to the concern is the film’s reported ₹70 crore production budget, a figure widely cited by trade portals including Koimoi. At this scale, Vrusshabha would require at least ₹60 crore worldwide to enter a theoretical safe zone.
With a ₹61 lakh India opening, that target appears increasingly distant unless there is an unprecedented turnaround in the coming days.
Trade analysts caution that a poor Day 1 severely limits screen retention, especially with multiple year-end releases competing for theatres. Reduced show counts typically create a vicious cycle, further shrinking collections.
As it turns out, distributors are reportedly reassessing show allocations in key circuits.
Comparison With Competing Christmas Releases
The timing of Vrusshabha’s release has only intensified scrutiny, particularly when viewed against competing holiday titles. According to industry chatter and media reports, Sarvam Maya, starring Nivin Pauly, registered stronger bookings and opening-day traction despite a more modest scale.
This contrast has reinforced the perception that content resonance, not star power alone, is driving theatrical footfalls in 2025.
For exhibitors, the comparison is stark. Screens are increasingly being diverted toward films showing organic growth, leaving Vrusshabha with shrinking real estate.
What Lies Ahead For Vrusshabha
For now, the road ahead looks steep. Weekend growth remains the only immediate lifeline, but that depends entirely on word of mouth turning decisively positive, an outcome that appears uncertain given early reactions.
Overseas markets and post-theatrical revenue streams may soften the financial blow, but theatrical recovery in India now looks highly improbable unless there is a dramatic shift.
Still, industry veterans caution against writing off the film entirely within 24 hours. Mohanlal’s films have, on rare occasions, shown delayed traction among niche audiences.
For now, though, Vrusshabha stands as a cautionary tale in an era where big budgets and big names no longer guarantee big openings.
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- Ayesha Khanhttps://hindustanherald.in/authors/ayesha/
- Ayesha Khanhttps://hindustanherald.in/authors/ayesha/
- Ayesha Khanhttps://hindustanherald.in/authors/ayesha/
- Ayesha Khanhttps://hindustanherald.in/authors/ayesha/
