Bollywood's highly-anticipated action film, Baaghi 4, starring Tiger Shroff, has made a moderate start at the domestic box office. The film, which hit screens on Friday, September 5, 2025, has garnered an estimated ₹2.8 crore net on its first day in India, according to early trade reports. While this figure is a far cry from the double-digit opening that trade analysts had predicted, it still marks a respectable start for the fourth installment of the popular franchise. The film's performance is now under intense scrutiny, as its weekend collection will determine its final box office fate.
The Opening Day: A Muted Start for a Franchise
The opening day collection of ₹2.8 crore for Baaghi 4 is significantly lower than the pre-release buzz and advance booking trends had suggested. A few days before its release, reports from trade analysts had been optimistic, with some even predicting a strong opening in the ₹9-11 crore net range. The film had reportedly sold a significant number of tickets in advance, with some reports even suggesting that the film had managed to sell over 2 lakh tickets nationwide, a positive sign for any film's box office prospects. The film's producers also employed a unique strategy, offering a 50% discount on tickets on opening day to maximize footfall, a tactic that appears to have had a limited impact.
This performance is particularly surprising given the franchise's past box office records.
- Baaghi (2016) opened to ₹11.94 crore.
- Baaghi 2 (2018) had a massive opening of ₹25.10 crore.
- Baaghi 3 (2020) opened to ₹17.50 crore.
With a ₹2.8 crore opening, Baaghi 4 has recorded the lowest opening day collection in the franchise's history, a stark contrast to its predecessors' impressive starts. This figure is even lower than the advance booking gross collection of ₹4.76 crore that the film had reportedly clocked without block bookings, raising questions about the actual on-the-day audience turnout. For Tiger Shroff, who has been looking for a major box office success after a string of underwhelming performances from films like Heropanti 2 and Bade Miyan Chote Miyan, this opening is a setback.
Competition and Other Factors
One of the key factors that may have influenced Baaghi 4's performance is the competition it faced from other films. While the film was expected to have a decisive edge over its domestic rival, The Bengal Files, it was up against a Hollywood horror film, The Conjuring: Last Rites, which had a strong advance booking and a wider appeal in multiplexes. In addition, other films like Sidharth Malhotra and Janhvi Kapoor's Param Sundari and Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR's War 2 were still in theaters, albeit in a reduced capacity. While The Conjuring: Last Rites has not been able to surpass the ₹10-12 crore opening day collection of Baaghi 4, its presence and the overall cinematic landscape could have contributed to the lower-than-expected opening for Baaghi 4.
The Cast and The Narrative
Directed by A Harsha in his Hindi film debut and produced by Sajid Nadiadwala, Baaghi 4 promised a "darker, bloodier mission" for Tiger Shroff's character, Ronnie. The film also features a star-studded cast, including veteran actor Sanjay Dutt in a menacing role as the antagonist, and marks the Bollywood debut of former Miss Universe, Harnaaz Sandhu, as the leading lady. Sonam Bajwa also plays a pivotal role. The film's narrative, centered around Ronnie's psychological turmoil and a quest for a long-buried truth, attempts to add a new layer of emotional depth to the franchise. However, initial reviews have been mixed, with many critics pointing to a thin storyline that serves as a mere pretext for the film's relentless action sequences.
The Road Ahead: Can Word-of-Mouth Save the Film?
Despite the disappointing opening, the film still has a chance to turn its fortunes around. The "Baaghi" franchise has a loyal fan base, particularly in the mass belts and single-screen theaters, where walk-in audiences are more common. A strong performance on Saturday and Sunday, driven by positive word-of-mouth, could help the film recover from its slow start. The film's action sequences, in particular, have received praise from early viewers. The "A" certificate granted by the CBFC for its raw and intense violence may also attract a specific segment of the audience that craves high-octane action. The film's performance over the weekend will be a critical litmus test for Tiger Shroff's star power and the franchise's ability to pull in audiences
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