This Thursday (December 18) saw the release of Dileep's latest film Bha Bha Ba, a mass-masala entertainer directed by debutant Dhananjay Shankar. Considering the current environment around the actor, this film was always going to be met with polarised reactions, and that is precisely what has happened.
However, Bha Bha Ba benefited from a strong opening day of Rs 7.20 crore in Kerala, making it the third biggest opening of 2025 in the state, only behind Mohanlal's Empuraan and Rajinikanth's Coolie. This, though, was largely due to the presence of Mohanlal's cameo in Bha Bha Ba, a key promotional content from the makers in their official trailer.
With three blockbuster successes in 2025 and two re-release hits, Mohanlal is having an unprecedented year at the box office, reinstating his worth as the biggest star in Malayalam cinema. Hence, his presence in a cameo role for a mass-masala film was always going to be a huge boost for Dileep who has never had a film opening to more than Rs 2.10 crore in Kerala till Bha Bha Ba happened.
Nevertheless, the big start was a plus, although it should have gone between Rs 7.50-8 crore with the kind of advance it had. The word-of-mouth is extremely mixed and the public outrage against Dileep due to the actress assault case is also a key factor at play. Early estimates suggest a big drop on the second day for Bha Bha Ba.
ALSO READ
- 'Dhurandhar' box office collection day 15: Ranveer Singh starrer on track to become highest Indian grosser of 2025 by this Sunday
- After Dileep’s ‘Bha Bha Ba’ courts fresh row; netizens want Mohanlal, Sreenivasan brothers to share responsibility for ‘sick joke’
- Dileep's 'Bha Bha Ba' movie gets massive backlash for kidnapping, rape jokes; netizens are 'disgusted'
With the prime time shows and night shows yet to start, Bha Bha Ba is looking at a second day of around Rs 3-4 crore, which is 40-50 percent drop from the opening day. The weekend is crucial for the film, given that it is a holiday season ahead with Christmas and New Year to come. There isn't any major competition either, but Bha Bha Ba will need to show strong holds to ensure a longer run.
.
.
[Data is compiled from independent sources linked to distributors and theater owners. Estimated figures could have a correction in the following day(s) when revised figures are obtained. This website doesn't take responsibility for the authenticity of these numbers]
