The survival thriller Tu Yaa Main showed a minor boost on its second Saturday, collecting an estimated Rs. 40 lakh and doubling its previous day’s earnings. Despite the jump, the overall performance remains modest, with the film adding around Rs. 60 lakh so far in its second weekend after concluding its opening week at Rs. 4.25 crore nett. This takes its total cumulative collection to Rs. 4.85 crore nett at the Indian box office.
Starring Adarsh Gourav and Shanaya Kapoor, the film revolves around the survival story of a young, modern couple who find themselves battling a deadly creature. Positioned as a creature-horror survival thriller, the movie aimed to tap into a niche yet growing audience segment that appreciates genre-driven storytelling.
The film’s second weekend is expected to close in the range of Rs. 90 lakh to Rs. 1 crore. Looking ahead, its second-week total is projected to land around Rs. 1.50 crore nett in India. However, based on present trends and weekday drops, trade estimates suggest that the film may struggle to go significantly beyond this point. If the momentum continues at the current pace, Tu Yaa Main appears headed for a lifetime total of approximately Rs. 7 crore nett.
The movie is backed by Colour Yellow Productions and Bhanushali Studios. Despite receiving slightly better audience feedback compared to its rival release, the film has not managed to convert appreciation into substantial box office numbers. A key factor behind this underperformance is perceived to be the absence of major star power and pre-release buzz.
In today’s post-pandemic theatrical landscape, audience behavior has undergone a significant shift. Many viewers now categorize mid-budget survival dramas and experimental genre films as content better suited for OTT platforms. As a result, theatrical footfalls for such films have shrunk considerably unless the project carries either a major star or extraordinary word-of-mouth momentum.
Industry observers believe that one way to revive the theatrical prospects of small and mid-budget films could be to extend the OTT release window. Currently, an eight-week gap between theatrical and digital premieres has become common practice. However, with audiences aware that such films will arrive online relatively soon, many prefer to wait rather than visit cinemas. Extending this window to around six months, some argue, could encourage more viewers to experience these films on the big screen and help sustain theatrical business.
Here is a detailed breakdown of Tu Yaa Main’s box office collections so far:
Friday: Rs. 60 lakh
Saturday: Rs. 1.50 crore
Sunday: Rs. 80 lakh
Monday: Rs. 40 lakh
Tuesday: Rs. 45 lakh
Wednesday: Rs. 35 lakh
Thursday: Rs. 35 lakh
2nd Friday: Rs. 20 lakh
2nd Saturday: Rs. 40 lakh (est.)
Total: Rs. 4.85 crore nett
The film is directed by Bejoy Nambiar, known for his stylish storytelling and genre experimentation. He previously helmed Wazir, Taish, and Dange. With Tu Yaa Main, Nambiar ventured into creature-horror territory, blending relationship drama with survival elements.
While the concept and performances have found appreciation among a section of viewers, the numbers indicate that the film has struggled to break out beyond its limited audience base. The coming weekdays will further determine whether it can inch closer to its projected Rs. 7 crore finish or stabilize slightly above expectations.
For now, Tu Yaa Main stands as another example of the mounting challenges faced by genre-driven, mid-budget films in the evolving Indian theatrical market.
