The box office has turned into a battleground this month, with three very different genres fighting for audience attention. On one side is Mirai, a Telugu fantasy superhero film with Teja Sajja in the lead. On the other hand, Bollywood brings Tiger Shroff’s action drama Baaghi 4. However, in horror, Hollywood’s The Conjuring: Last Rites is the final film of the popular series and has got fans excited.
So, which genre is the audience preferring? Fantasy, action, or horror? Early numbers show a clear winner, but the fight isn’t over yet.
Mirai box office opening
Karthik Gattamneni’s fantasy adventure Mirai hit theatres on Friday with sky-high expectations. The film stars Teja Sajja, Manchu Manoj, and Ritika Nayak in key roles and carried heavy buzz thanks to the massive success of Sajja’s previous superhero outing, HanuMan.
According to early reports on Sacnilk, Mirai opened to an impressive Rs 10.76 crore on day one. The film recorded an overall 8.81 per cent Hindi occupancy on Friday. With strong word-of-mouth and positive reviews from audiences, Mirai looks set to have a solid weekend run.
The numbers are even more special because this is now the highest opening of Teja Sajja’s career, surpassing the Rs 8 crore debut of HanuMan in 2024. Trade experts believe the fantasy genre is connecting well with younger audiences who are eager for fresh storytelling outside the regular Bollywood and Hollywood fare.
Baaghi 4 box office collection so far
Tiger Shroff’s Baaghi series has always been a big hit with action fans, and Baaghi 4, directed by A. Harsha, promised even more drama, stunts, and big-screen thrills. Produced by Sajid Nadiadwala’s production house, the film runs for 157 minutes and features a star-studded cast including Sanjay Dutt, Sonam Bajwa, Harnaaz Kaur Sandhu, Shreyas Talpade, and Upendra Limaye.
As per Sacnilk’s early estimates, the film earned around Rs 1.25 crore on its eighth day, bringing its total India collection to Rs 45.75 crore. On its second Friday, Baaghi 4 registered an overall 11.44 per cent Hindi occupancy, with evening and night shows performing better than the mornings.
While the film had a decent opening week, it is now facing a competition from both Mirai and The Conjuring: Last Rites. The coming weekend will be crucial. If it manages to hold steady, it could still turn profitable, but slipping further might put its box office run in danger.
The Conjuring: Last Rites box office collection so far
Horror lovers had been waiting for this one. The Conjuring: Last Rites is the ninth and final film in the popular franchise, which began more than a decade ago. Directed by Michael Chaves and starring Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson as paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren, the film aimed to deliver a fitting farewell to one of horror’s most beloved series.
And it looks like fans responded in full force. The film has been doing remarkably well in India, even outperforming local action films. According to early estimates by Sacnilk, The Conjuring: Last Rites collected Rs 2 crore on its eighth day, pushing its total Indian box office numbers to a strong Rs 69 crore net.
Although it has shown a predictable decline after its massive opening, the horror flick continues to pull in steady numbers, proving once again that the horror genre has a loyal fanbase in India. Importantly, it is currently ahead of Baaghi 4 in total collections, a rare achievement for an English-language horror film in India.
Mirai, Baaghi 4, The Conjuring: Last Rites: Who’s leading at box office?
Looking at the numbers, each film is finding its own audience. Mirai is off to a flying start, with its fresh superhero-fantasy story emerging as the top choice for youth and families. Baaghi 4, on the other hand, is struggling to keep its momentum. While Tiger Shroff’s loyal fans are supporting the film, the competition has slowed its growth. In the horror space, The Conjuring: Last Rites is leading, already outperforming Baaghi 4 and showing the strong appeal of Hollywood horror among Indian audiences.
As of now, Mirai seems to be leading the genre war with its big opening and positive reception. The Conjuring: Last Rites follows closely, thanks to its strong hold on the horror crowd. Baaghi 4, despite its franchise value and star power, finds itself slipping behind.
What’s next?
The weekend numbers will give a clearer picture of who truly wins this genre war. Mirai will look to consolidate its lead, The Conjuring will aim to cross the Rs 70 crore mark soon, and Baaghi 4 will be fighting to stay relevant against competitions.
For now, the box office has given us an interesting snapshot of audience tastes, where fantasy and horror seem to be ruling, while Bollywood-style action is facing tougher times.