The biographical war drama Sam Bahadur, a tribute to India’s first Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, has captivated audiences with its gripping storytelling and stellar performances. Released on December 1, 2023, this Hindi-language film, directed by Meghna Gulzar, stars Vicky Kaushal in the titular role, alongside Sanya Malhotra and Fatima Sana Shaikh. The movie generated significant buzz before its release, with advance bookings reflecting strong public excitement, particularly among fans of patriotic cinema and Vicky Kaushal’s transformative performances. Despite facing fierce competition from Ranbir Kapoor’s Animal, Sam Bahadur carved its niche at the box office, earning praise for its historical accuracy and emotional depth. In this article, we dive into the Sam Bahadur box office collection, including day-wise earnings, worldwide gross, OTT release details, cast net worth, and the final verdict.
Movie Overview Table
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Movie Name | Sam Bahadur |
| Release Date | December 1, 2023 |
| Language | Hindi |
| Director | Meghna Gulzar |
| Producer | Ronnie Screwvala |
| Lead Cast | Vicky Kaushal, Sanya Malhotra, Fatima Sana Shaikh |
| Budget | ₹55 Crore |
| Genre | Biographical War Drama |
Lead Actor Net Worth (2025)
Vicky Kaushal, the heart and soul of Sam Bahadur, has solidified his position as one of Bollywood’s most versatile actors. Known for his ability to embody complex characters, Kaushal’s portrayal of Sam Manekshaw has been lauded as a career-defining performance. As of 2025, his estimated net worth is approximately ₹40 Crore, driven by his successful films like Uri: The Surgical Strike (2019), Sardar Udham (2021), and Zara Hatke Zara Bachke (2023). In addition to his film earnings, Vicky commands a substantial income through brand endorsements for companies like Havells, Reliance Trends, and boAt. His growing popularity and consistent box office success make him a bankable star in the Indian film industry.
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Box Office Collection: India (Day-Wise)
The Sam Bahadur box office collection in India reflects a steady performance despite tough competition from Animal. Below is a detailed breakdown of the day-wise earnings for the first week, as reported by Sacnilk and other industry trackers:
| Day | Collection (₹ Cr) |
|---|---|
| Day 1 (Friday) | ₹6.25 |
| Day 2 (Saturday) | ₹9.00 |
| Day 3 (Sunday) | ₹10.30 |
| Day 4 (Monday) | ₹3.50 |
| Day 5 (Tuesday) | ₹3.30 |
| Day 6 (Wednesday) | ₹3.00 |
| Day 7 (Thursday) | ₹2.90 |
| Week 1 Total | ₹38.25 |
The film opened with a modest Sam Bahadur box office collection day 1 figure of ₹6.25 Crore, impacted by the simultaneous release of Animal, which dominated screens and audience attention. However, positive word-of-mouth led to a significant jump on Day 2 (₹9 Cr) and Day 3 (₹10.3 Cr), resulting in a first-weekend total of ₹25.55 Crore. The weekdays saw expected drops, with collections stabilizing around ₹2.9–3.5 Crore, reflecting steady audience interest. By Day 9, the film earned ₹7 Cr, and by Day 14, it added ₹1.6 Cr, showing resilience despite reduced screen counts. The Sam Bahadur box office collection day 15 and Day 18 recorded ₹2 Cr and ₹1.4 Cr, respectively, indicating sustained performance into the third week.
Overseas & Worldwide Collection
Sam Bahadur performed admirably on the global stage, appealing to Indian diaspora audiences and war drama enthusiasts. Below is the breakdown of its earnings:
| Region | Earnings (₹ Cr) |
|---|---|
| India Nett | ₹92.98 |
| Overseas | ₹17.48 |
| India Gross | ₹110.69 |
| Worldwide Total | ₹128.17 |
The Sam Bahadur box office collection worldwide reached ₹128.17 Crore, with ₹92.98 Crore nett in India and ₹17.48 Crore from overseas markets. The film’s India gross stood at ₹110.69 Crore, reflecting strong domestic performance. Overseas, it minted approximately 2.1 million USD, with notable collections in markets like the USA, Canada, and the UK, where Vicky Kaushal’s fanbase and the film’s patriotic theme resonated strongly. The Sam Bahadur box office collection total underscores its ability to compete in a crowded market, crossing the ₹100 Crore mark globally by Day 17.
OTT Release Info
While Sam Bahadur continues to draw audiences in theaters, anticipation for its OTT release is high. The film is expected to stream on Zee5, given its association with RSVP Movies, which has previously partnered with the platform for films like Uri: The Surgical Strike. The digital rights are estimated to be valued at ₹30–40 Crore, reflecting the film’s strong theatrical performance and Vicky Kaushal’s star power. Based on industry trends, the Sam Bahadur OTT release is likely to occur in February 2024, approximately 8–10 weeks after its theatrical debut, aligning with standard Bollywood release windows.
Records & Milestones
Sam Bahadur achieved several notable milestones despite its clash with Animal. Key highlights include:
- Fastest to ₹100 Cr Club: The film crossed the ₹100 Crore worldwide gross mark in just 17 days, a significant achievement for a biographical drama.
- Comparison to Similar Films: Compared to other war biopics like Uri: The Surgical Strike (₹244 Cr nett in India), Sam Bahadur had a more modest run but outperformed expectations for its genre. It also surpassed the worldwide gross of Zara Hatke Zara Bachke (₹116 Cr), another Vicky Kaushal starrer from 2023.
- Steady Longevity: The film’s ability to maintain collections in its fifth week (₹84.6 Cr by Day 35) highlights its strong word-of-mouth, a rarity in the face of big-budget competitors like Dunki and Salaar.
Audience & Critical Reception
Sam Bahadur received mixed to positive reviews from critics and audiences. Vicky Kaushal’s portrayal of Sam Manekshaw was universally praised, with many calling it a “career-best” performance. Critics lauded the film’s historical accuracy and Meghna Gulzar’s nuanced direction, though some noted that the narrative felt cramped due to its attempt to cover four decades of Manekshaw’s life. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a 38% approval rating based on 16 reviews, with an average score of 5.9/10. Audience reactions were largely positive, with fans appreciating the film’s patriotic fervor and emotional depth, though some felt it lacked the cinematic flair of a typical war drama.
Social Media Buzz
On social media, Sam Bahadur sparked significant engagement, particularly on Twitter (now X). Hashtags like #SamBahadur and #VickyKaushal trended during its opening weekend, with fans sharing clips of Kaushal’s powerful dialogues and behind-the-scenes content. Posts like “Sam Bahadur marches on with pride & victory at the box office” by Vicky Kaushal himself amplified the buzz. Fan reviews praised Kaushal’s transformation, with one user tweeting, “Vicky IS Sam Bahadur! Not a single moment felt like acting.” However, some netizens compared it unfavorably to Animal, citing the latter’s mass appeal. Memes juxtaposing Animal vs Sam Bahadur box office collections also went viral, reflecting the competitive narrative. Overall, the sentiment was positive, with fans celebrating the film’s tribute to a national hero.
Box Office Verdict
| Budget | ₹55 Cr |
|---|---|
| Collection | ₹128.17 Cr |
| Verdict | Hit |
| Recovery Time | 12 Days |
The Sam Bahadur box office collection and budget analysis confirms its status as a Hit. With a production budget of ₹55 Crore, the film recovered its costs by Day 12, driven by strong weekend performances and consistent weekday collections. Its worldwide gross of ₹128.17 Crore and positive word-of-mouth ensured profitability, despite the overshadowing presence of Animal, which grossed over ₹800 Crore in the same period. The Sam Bahadur box office collection Sacnilk and Bollywood Hungama reports align on its steady growth, with the film maintaining traction into its fifth week.
Predictions & Future Expectations
Looking ahead, Sam Bahadur is poised to end its theatrical run with a nett collection of ₹95–100 Crore in India, potentially pushing its worldwide gross closer to ₹135 Crore. The absence of major releases in early January 2024 allowed it to retain some screens, but competition from films like Merry Christmas posed challenges. The film’s OTT release on Zee5 is expected to expand its reach, particularly among viewers who missed its theatrical run. Given its critical acclaim and awards buzz (eight nominations at the 69th Filmfare Awards), Sam Bahadur could see renewed interest post-digital release, potentially boosting Vicky Kaushal’s brand value further.
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Conclusion
Sam Bahadur has proven to be a remarkable success story, overcoming a challenging box office clash to emerge as a hit. With a worldwide gross of ₹128.17 Crore, Vicky Kaushal’s stellar performance and Meghna Gulzar’s meticulous direction have resonated with audiences. The film’s steady collections, critical acclaim, and social media buzz underscore its cultural impact. As it prepares for its OTT release, Sam Bahadur is set to inspire a new wave of viewers. Stay tuned for updates on its digital premiere and further box office milestones.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: What is the total box office collection of Sam Bahadur?
A: As of now, the total worldwide gross is ₹128.17 Crore.
Q2: Is Sam Bahadur a hit or flop?
A: Based on its budget of ₹55 Crore and earnings of ₹128.17 Crore, it is declared a Hit.
Q3: What is the net worth of Vicky Kaushal in 2025?
A: Approximately ₹40 Crore.
Q4: When will Sam Bahadur release on OTT?
A: Expected to stream on Zee5 by February 2024.
Q5: How much did Sam Bahadur earn on Day 1?
A: ₹6.25 Crore in India on its opening day.
