Cinema VinesAlia Bhatt’s debut as a spy in Yash Raj Films’ first female‑led espionage thriller, Alpha, has failed to meet expectations, falling short of the ₹100‑crore threshold that would have marked a modest success. The film, which also stars Sharvari, Bobby Deol, Anil Kapoor and a cameo from Hrithik Roshan, opened in Indian theatres three weeks ago amid significant buzz.
Despite a strong opening weekend that brought in ₹34 crore, the movie’s earnings rapidly declined. Domestic receipts totaled ₹58 crore net (₹69 crore gross) by the end of its theatrical run, while the overseas market added $3 million, bringing the worldwide gross to roughly ₹98 crore. With a production budget hovering around ₹100 crore and additional marketing costs, the break‑even point is estimated at ₹120–125 crore net.
After a first‑week domestic collection of under ₹50 crore, the film managed only ₹6 crore in its second weekend and a mere ₹1.3 crore in the third. Daily takings slipped to ₹25 lakh by the third Friday and dropped below ₹20 lakh on the following Monday, effectively ending its run. By July 22, net earnings were about ₹75 crore, leaving the film well short of recouping its investment.
“Alpha is a box‑office disappointment,” noted trade analysts, pointing out that this marks the second consecutive YRF Spy Universe title—after War 2—to miss the break‑even mark. The failure raises concerns about the commercial viability of the franchise’s future projects.
Directed by Shiv Rawail, Alpha follows two assassins, played by Bhatt and Sharvari, as they navigate a high‑stakes world of covert operations. The film’s cast also includes veteran actors Bobby Deol and Anil Kapoor, with Roshan’s cameo tying the story back to the War series. Despite the star power and the promise of a fresh female‑centric spy narrative, the movie’s performance underscores the challenges of balancing ambitious storytelling with box‑office expectations.
