Box Office Verdict: Below Expectations
Khel Khel Mein, Mudassar Aziz’s drama starring Akshay Kumar and Vaani Kapoor, has managed ₹40.9 crore domestically (net), ranking #309 in Filmymojo’s 2024 box office charts. Despite its comic drama theme, the film failed to capitalize on the Independence Day release window.
Box Office Breakdown
Key Stats
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Collection | ₹40.9 crore |
| Current Rank | #309 (2024 Releases) |
| Genre | Drama |
| Release Date | August 15, 2024 |
| Director | Mudassar Aziz |
| Lead Cast | Akshay Kumar, Vaani Kapoor, Fardeen Khan |
Genre Comparison
- Average Drama Collection (2024): ₹68.3 crore
- Khel Khel Mein vs. Genre Avg: 40% below benchmark
- Top 2024 Drama Films:
- Chandu Champion (₹148.6 crore)
- Sarfira (₹22.43 crore)
- Khel Khel Mein (₹40.9 crore)
Akshay Kumar’s recent Film Track Record
Khel Khel Mein underperforms compared to Akshay’s previous films:
| Movie | Collection (₹ Cr) | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Mission Raniganj | ₹33.9 | 2023 |
| Khel Khel Mein | ₹40.9 | 2024 |
| Samrat Prithviraj | ₹68.06 | 2022 |
Key Insight: Marks Akshay’s third consecutive underperformance in this genre.
Budget & Recovery
The film’s economics reveal its struggles:
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | ₹75 crore |
| P&A Spend | ₹25 crore |
| ROI | 0.54x |
| Losses | ₹55+ crore |
Industry Context: Needed ₹150 crore to break even.
Weekly Performance
Sharp declines post-holiday period:
| Week | Collection (₹ Cr) | Drop |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | ₹25.4 | – |
| 2 | ₹9.8 | 61%↓ |
| 3 | ₹3.7 | 62%↓ |
| 4 | ₹1.2 | 68%↓ |
Critical Issues:
- 61% second-week drop worse than typical for holiday releases (~45%)
- Failed to cross ₹50 lakh daily after Week 2
What Went Wrong?
- Clash with Stree 2: Lost premium screens to the horror sequel
- Genre Fatigue: Fourth Akshay drama film in 5 years
- Weak Music: No chartbuster songs to drive youth interest
- Marketing Missteps: Failed to highlight unique angles
Audience Reception
- IMDb Rating: 5.8/10 (Mixed reviews)
- CinemaScore: B (Average)
- Social Media Buzz:
- Only 4 days in trending top 10
- 38% lower engagement than Chandu Champion
Final Verdict
With ₹40.9 crore, Khel Khel Mein continues Akshay Kumar’s box office struggles. The film proves that even such themes need fresh execution to connect with today’s audiences.
Watch Recommendation: Only for die-hard Akshay fans; others can wait for OTT.
Data Source: Filmymojo Box Office Database