Bholaa is a gripping action-thriller and an official Hindi remake of the 2019 Tamil blockbuster Kaithi. Directed by and starring Ajay Devgn, the film follows Bholaa, an ex-convict who, after a decade in prison, sets out to reunite with his young daughter. His journey takes a dangerous turn when he gets entangled in a high-stakes face-off between the police and a ruthless drug mafia. With breathtaking action sequences, emotional depth, and a touch of drama, Bholaa delivers a rollercoaster of thrills. Released on March 30, 2023, in Hindi, Telugu, and Tamil, the film’s 3D version added to its cinematic appeal, making it a must-watch in theaters.
🎬 Film Overview
Film Title
Bholaa
Director & Producers
- Director: Ajay Devgn
- Producers: Ajay Devgn, Bhushan Kumar, Krishan Kumar, S.R. Prakashbabu, S.R. Prabhu, Shibasish Sarkar (Ajay Devgn FFilms, T-Series Films, Reliance Entertainment, Dream Warrior Pictures)
Main Cast
- Lead Actors: Ajay Devgn, Tabu, Deepak Dobriyal, Sanjay Mishra
- Key Supporting Roles: Amala Paul, Gajraj Rao, Vineet Kumar, Makarand Deshpande, Abhishek Bachchan (special cameo)
Budget
The Bholaa movie box office collection and budget reports indicate a total estimated budget of ₹100 crore (approximately $12 million USD), including production costs (₹80 crore) and prints/advertising expenses (₹20 crore). This middle-budget film packed a punch with its high-octane action and star power.
Also read: Mr And Mrs Mahi Box Office Collection Report
💰 Box Office Performance
Opening Day Collection
The Bholaa movie box office collection day 1 was a solid ₹11.20 crore ($1.34 million USD) in India, marking the third-highest opening day of 2023, behind Pathaan (₹57 crore) and Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar (₹15.73 crore). The film benefited from the Ram Navami holiday in North India, driving strong walk-in audiences, especially in smaller centers. Fans were thrilled by Ajay Devgn’s intense performance and Tabu’s action-packed role as a police officer, setting a promising tone.
First Weekend Earnings
The Bholaa movie box office collection for the opening weekend (three days) reached ₹30.70 crore ($3.68 million USD) nett in India. The breakdown is:
- Day 1: ₹11.20 crore ($1.34 million)
- Day 2: ₹7.40 crore ($0.89 million)
- Day 3: ₹12.10 crore ($1.45 million)
The film saw a dip on Day 2 but bounced back on Day 3, showing audience interest fueled by positive word-of-mouth, particularly for its action sequences and 3D visuals.
First Week Collection
The Bholaa movie box office collection for the first week (extended to eight days due to the holiday) totaled ₹59.98 crore ($7.20 million USD) nett in India. The daily breakdown includes:
- Day 4: ₹13.48 crore ($1.62 million)
- Day 5: ₹4.50 crore ($0.54 million)
- Day 6: ₹4.80 crore ($0.58 million)
- Day 7: ₹3.10 crore ($0.37 million)
- Day 8: ₹3.30 crore ($0.40 million)
The film maintained decent momentum but faced challenges from competing IPL 2023 matches, which impacted weekday collections.
Monthly & Yearly Projections
- First Month: By Day 36, Bholaa collected ₹88.82 crore ($10.66 million USD) nett in India, showing a steady but underwhelming performance for a film of its scale.
- Yearly Total (Projected): The Bholaa movie box office collection total is estimated at around ₹90–100 crore ($10.8–12 million USD) nett domestically, with a worldwide gross of approximately ₹110–120 crore ($13.2–14.4 million USD). The film’s performance tapered off due to its remake status and competition, limiting its long-term potential.
🌍 Domestic & International Breakdown
Domestic vs. International Revenue
- Domestic (India Nett): ₹88.82 crore ($10.66 million USD) by Day 36.
- International (Overseas): $1.82 million (₹15.17 crore, assuming 1 USD = ₹83.33). The Bholaa movie box office collection worldwide grossed approximately ₹110 crore ($13.2 million USD). The film underperformed overseas, as remakes often struggle to attract international audiences familiar with the original.
Top-Performing Countries
Specific country-wise breakdowns are unavailable, but key regions contributing to the Bholaa movie box office collection worldwide include:
- United States & Canada: Strong Indian diaspora markets, though collections were modest.
- UAE & GCC: Decent performance due to Bollywood’s popularity.
- UK & Australia: Limited traction, as the film’s rural action theme resonated less with these audiences.
📊 Financial Analysis
Budget vs. Earnings
- Budget: ₹100 crore ($12 million USD)
- Total Earnings (Worldwide Gross): ~₹110 crore ($13.2 million USD)
- Comparison: The film narrowly recovered its budget, with a slight profit margin when considering non-theatrical revenue (OTT, satellite rights). To be deemed a “hit,” Bholaa needed to gross ₹150 crore worldwide, which it fell short of achieving.
Profitability Analysis
The Bholaa movie box office collection hit or flop verdict is “Average.” It recovered its ₹100 crore budget but didn’t reach the ₹110 crore needed for a “hit” status or the ₹150 crore for a “super hit.” Non-theatrical deals (estimated at ₹80 crore) bolstered its financial standing, ensuring minimal losses for producers. However, the film’s reliance on green-screen visuals and its remake status may have limited its audience connection, impacting profitability.
Also read: Ram Setu Box Office Collection Day 6
🏆 Records & Comparisons
Records Broken
- Third-Highest Opening Day of 2023: The Bholaa movie box office collection day 1 of ₹11.20 crore ranked third among Hindi films in 2023, behind Pathaan (₹57 crore) and Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar (₹15.73 crore).
- Strong Single-Screen Performance: The film performed exceptionally well in smaller centers and single-screen theaters, highlighting Ajay Devgn’s mass appeal.
Comparison with Similar Films
Compared to Ajay Devgn’s previous release, Drishyam 2 (₹340 crore worldwide), Bholaa underperformed significantly. It also trailed Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar (₹223 crore worldwide) and Pathaan (₹1,050 crore worldwide). As a remake, it faced challenges similar to other 2022–2023 remakes, which struggled post-pandemic, except for Drishyam 2.
Impact of Competition
The Bholaa movie box office collection was affected by:
- IPL 2023: Starting March 31, 2023, IPL matches drew audiences away, especially on weekdays.
- Competing Release: Dasara (starring Nani), released on the same day, split the audience in some regions.
- Remake Fatigue: Audiences familiar with Kaithi via OTT platforms were less motivated to watch the remake in theaters.
🎭 Audience & Critical Reception
Critical Reviews
- IMDb: 6.0/10, based on audience ratings for its action and performances.
- Rotten Tomatoes: ~60% (estimated, as exact data is unavailable), reflecting mixed critical reception.
- Metacritic: No official score, but reviews suggest a 55/100 range.
- Key Critic Opinions: The Indian Express gave Bholaa 3/5 stars, praising its “no-holds-barred, high-octane action” but noting its heavy drama and green-screen aesthetics might disconnect some viewers. Critics lauded Ajay Devgn and Tabu’s performances but felt the remake lacked the original’s raw energy.
Public Reaction
The Bholaa movie box office collection was bolstered by positive audience buzz, especially in North India and single-screen theaters. Social media posts on X highlighted steady performance, with fans praising Ajay Devgn’s intensity and Tabu’s action scenes. However, some viewers felt the story was predictable due to its remake status. The 3D version received mixed feedback, with 2D screenings performing better.
📈 Predictions & Future Expectations
Future Earnings Estimates
The Bholaa movie box office collection total is unlikely to cross ₹150 crore worldwide, settling at ~₹110–120 crore ($13.2–14.4 million USD). Its lifetime earnings will rely on digital platform deals, as theatrical runs have largely concluded. The film’s average verdict limits its potential for a significant long-tail run.
Earnings Table
| Timeframe | Domestic Earnings | International Earnings | Total Earnings | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Opening Day | ₹11.20 Cr / $1.34M | ₹1.50 Cr / $0.18M | ₹12.70 Cr / $1.52M | Strong start, third-highest of 2023 |
| First Weekend | ₹30.70 Cr / $3.68M | ₹4.50 Cr / $0.54M | ₹35.20 Cr / $4.22M | Growth on Day 3, holiday boost |
| First Week | ₹59.98 Cr / $7.20M | ₹9.17 Cr / $1.10M | ₹69.15 Cr / $8.30M | Steady but impacted by IPL |
| First Month | ₹88.82 Cr / $10.66M | ₹15.17 Cr / $1.82M | ₹104 Cr / $12.48M | Declining trend, remake fatigue |
| Yearly Total (Projected) | ₹90–100 Cr / $10.8–12M | ₹15–20 Cr / $1.8–2.4M | ₹110–120 Cr / $13.2–14.4M | Average verdict, OTT revenue key |
Note: USD conversions use an exchange rate of 1 USD = ₹83.33 (approximate rate for 2023).
💎 Lead Actresses’ Net Worth (2025)
Tabu
- Net Worth (2025): $7 million (₹58 crore)
- Major Earnings Sources: Films, endorsements, and selective brand deals. Tabu earns significantly from her versatile roles in Bollywood and South Indian cinema, with Bholaa and Drishyam 2 boosting her market value. She also commands high fees for OTT projects and has investments in real estate.
Amala Paul
- Net Worth (2025): $2 million (₹16.7 crore)
- Major Earnings Sources: Acting in Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam films, along with brand endorsements. Her role in Bholaa marked her Bollywood debut, enhancing her visibility. Recent projects and social media influence have contributed to her growing wealth.
Note: Net worth estimates are based on industry reports and public data available up to May 2025. No major changes (e.g., new deals) were reported for 2025.
Also try: Fukrey 3 Box Office Collection Day 11
