Junaid Khan and Sai Pallavi's 'Ek Din' Earns Just Rs 1 Crore on Opening Day, Clashes with 'Raja Shivaji'

Key facts

• Ek Din, starring Junaid Khan and Sai Pallavi, released in theatres on May 1.
• The film is a remake of the 2016 Thai movie One Day.
• Directed by Sunil Pandey and produced by Aamir Khan Productions.
• Ek Din earned Rs 1 crore on its first day at the box office.
• It clashed with Raja Shivaji (Rs 11.35 crore) and The Devil Wears Prada 2 (Rs 5.5 crore).
• Advance bookings opened 39 days before release, a strategy explained by Aamir Khan.
• Sai Pallavi makes her Bollywood debut with this film; Junaid Khan's second theatrical release after Loveyapa.
• Music by Ram Sampath, editing by Ballu Saluja, written by Spandan Desai and Sneha Desai.

A Lukewarm Opening at the Box Office

Ek Din, the romantic drama starring Junaid Khan and Sai Pallavi, collected only Rs 1 crore on its opening day, May 1, according to early estimates by Sacnilk. The film faced tough competition from Riteish Deshmukh's historical drama Raja Shivaji, which earned Rs 11.35 crore, and The Devil Wears Prada 2, featuring Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway, which minted Rs 5.5 crore. The film's earnings are significantly lower than its competitors, reflecting a lukewarm reception from audiences. The movie opened to mixed reviews, with critics noting its simple yet effective storytelling but failing to draw large crowds.

A Remake with a Thai Origin

Directed by Sunil Pandey, Ek Din is a remake of the 2016 Thai film One Day, which starred Chantavit Dhanasevi and Nittha Jirayungyurn. The original Thai movie was a romantic drama that explored a complicated love story in a straightforward manner. The Indian adaptation retains the core narrative but brings in fresh faces: Junaid Khan, son of Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan, and Sai Pallavi, a popular actress from South Indian cinema making her Bollywood debut. Kunal Kapoor also plays a lead role in the film.

Aamir Khan's Strategy and Son's Independent Journey

Produced by Aamir Khan Productions, the film's advance bookings opened 39 days before its release. In an interview with Just Too Filmy, Aamir Khan explained the rationale: "The movie has relatively new actors so I thought this movie would need a little more time to get traction. So the earlier we start, the better." Aamir Khan has spoken about his son Junaid's independent career choices, stating, "He doesn't even want me to interfere in his career." This hands-off approach underscores Junaid's desire to carve his own path in the industry, separate from his father's towering legacy.

Cast and Crew: Key Contributors

The music for Ek Din has been composed by Ram Sampath, known for his work in Delhi Belly and Fukrey. The film is edited by Ballu Saluja, with the screenplay written by Spandan Desai and Sneha Desai. For Junaid Khan, Ek Din marks his second theatrical release after Loveyapa, which starred Khushi Kapoor. He made his acting debut with Siddharth P Malhotra's Maharaj, which premiered on Netflix. Sai Pallavi, on the other hand, is widely recognized for her performances in Malayalam and Tamil cinema, and this film marks her entry into Bollywood.

What Lies Ahead for the Film and Its Stars

While Ek Din is currently playing in cinemas, its OTT release date has not been officially announced by the makers. The film's performance in the coming days will determine its long-term box office trajectory. On the work front, Junaid Khan has yet to announce his next project. Sai Pallavi is set to appear in Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana: Part 1, where she will play Goddess Sita. The mythological epic is scheduled for a theatrical release on Diwali 2026, with its second part arriving on Diwali 2027.

A Competitive Box Office Landscape

The clash with Raja Shivaji and The Devil Wears Prada 2 proved detrimental to Ek Din's opening numbers. Raja Shivaji, a historical drama starring Riteish Deshmukh, earned over eleven times more on its first day, while the Hollywood sequel also outperformed the Indian romantic drama. Despite the slow start, the film's producers remain hopeful that positive word-of-mouth could boost its performance in the weeks ahead. However, the initial figures suggest an uphill battle for the film to recover its production costs.

The bottom line

• Ek Din earned only Rs 1 crore on its opening day, far behind competitors Raja Shivaji (Rs 11.35 crore) and The Devil Wears Prada 2 (Rs 5.5 crore).
• The film is a remake of the 2016 Thai movie One Day and marks Sai Pallavi's Bollywood debut.
• Aamir Khan Productions employed an early advance booking strategy, opening tickets 39 days before release.
• Junaid Khan continues to build his career independently, with Aamir Khan stating his son does not want interference.
• Sai Pallavi will next star in Ramayana: Part 1, releasing on Diwali 2026.
• The film's OTT release date has not been announced yet.