Cinema VinesEmraan Hashmi has set a new benchmark for his career with the second instalment of “Awarapan,” a romantic‑action film directed by Nitin Kakkar and produced by Vishesh Bhatt. The film opened on Friday with a net collection of ₹22 crore, the biggest opening for the actor in a leading role and one of the highest debuts for a Hindi film this year.
Despite a slow start in the morning, the movie’s evening shows saw an impressive 74% occupancy, propelling the total to just over ₹55 crore after two days. Saturday’s performance was even stronger, with the film earning ₹33 crore on its second day and recording a 31% occupancy in the morning, rising to 70% in the afternoon and 73% in the evening.
“Awarapan 2” has been selling more than 20,000 tickets per hour on BookMyShow throughout Friday and Saturday, a remarkable feat for a film without a superstar. By the end of Friday, the sequel had surpassed the lifetime box office haul of the original 2007 film, which had earned only ₹7.75 crore net. By Saturday afternoon, it had eclipsed the final collections of several of Hashmi’s earlier hits, including “Haq” (₹20 crore), “Raaz 2” (₹25.50 crore), “Ek Thi Daayan” (₹26 crore), and “Jannat” (₹30 crore).
The story, set against a child‑trafficking backdrop, blends nostalgia with modern production values. Critics have given the film mixed to positive reviews, praising Hashmi’s performance and the overall tone. A review in the Hindustan Times noted that the first half keeps viewers hooked, but the narrative can feel repetitive with frequent gunfights.
Starring Shabana Azmi, Disha Patani, and Suvinder Vicky alongside Hashmi, “Awarapan 2” is already making headlines for its commercial success and is poised for a massive opening weekend.
