Ajay Devgn's Raid 2 slows at box office as India-Pakistan tension escalates

Raid 2 slows at box office as India-Pakistan tension escalates

Ajay Devgn’s Raid 2, which opened to a promising start, is facing an unexpected slowdown at the box office due to the escalating conflict between India and Pakistan. With increasing national concerns and high-security alerts across the country, theatre footfalls have dropped significantly, affecting not just entertainment consumption but several industries.

The film, directed by Raj Kumar Gupta, had a solid start with an opening day collection of Rs 19.25 crore. Over the weekend, collections peaked with Rs 22 crore on Sunday. However, by Wednesday, numbers fell to Rs 4.75 crore. The eight-day total now stands at Rs 95.65 crore, just short of the expected Rs 100 crore benchmark by the end of its first week.

Analysts believe the dip is directly linked to national security concerns. Following drone and missile threats from Pakistan across border regions in Jammu, Punjab, and Rajasthan, public sentiment has turned cautious. Citizens have been avoiding crowded places, including malls and cinemas, resulting in a visible impact on box office collections.

Also Read: Content ban, events cancellations, release postponed, film industry feels heat of India-Pakistan strain

Adding to the disruption, the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 has been indefinitely suspended, and upcoming film releases have been postponed. This includes Rajkummar Rao and Wamiqa Gabbi’s Bhool Chuk Maaf, which has opted for an OTT release instead of theatres.

The sudden change in entertainment consumption habits reflects a larger behavioral shift during times of national crisis. While Raid 2 is still expected to cross Rs 100 crore eventually, its pace has been significantly slowed.

As India witnesses nationwide mock drills and prepares for potential emergencies, watching a movie is naturally taking a backseat. For the entertainment industry, this serves as a reminder that geopolitical tensions can directly affect footfalls and revenue, even for well-performing films.