Box Office Showdown: Taapsee Pannu's Assi vs Mrunal Thakur's Do Deewane Seher Mein

Taapsee Pannu's courtroom drama Assi and Mrunal Thakur's romantic film Do Deewane Seher Mein premiered on February 20, marking a notable clash in the Indian cinema landscape. Although neither production garnered staggering figures on their opening day, both films performed decently at the box office.

According to trade portal Sacnilk, Assi generated a net collection of ₹0.95 crore in India on its first day, based on early estimates. The film's occupancy rates were relatively low, with only 3.88% in morning screenings, 7.24% in the afternoon, and 6.92% in the evening. However, it did achieve better results in Chennai, where occupancy reached 20%, contrasting with the performance in northern cities.

In comparison, Assi's predecessor, the courtroom drama Haq, which debuted in theatres in November 2025, earned ₹1.75 crore on its first day and eventually totalled ₹19.86 crore during its entire run. Assi features notable actors including Kani Kusruti, Revathy, and Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub alongside Pannu. This film marks the third collaboration for Taapsee Pannu and director Anubhav Sinha, following their previous successful projects, Thappad and Mulk.

Taapsee Pannu has expressed the importance of bringing attention to pressing societal issues through her work. In a statement to the media, she remarked, “I felt it was time to bring these stories together and put them in front of people to remind ourselves that what we read as everyday crime news should never be normalised.” She noted the alarming increase in such incidents and the need for awareness and action.

On the other hand, Mrunal Thakur's Do Deewane Seher Mein opened with a slightly higher first-day collection of ₹1.25 crore, based on Sacnilk's early estimates. The film's occupancy rates were as follows: 5.77% in morning shows, 7.94% in the afternoon, and 14.96% during evening screenings. Directed by Ravi Udyawar, Do Deewane Seher Mein revolves around Shashank and Roshni, two contrasting young professionals navigating their romantic lives. Mrunal Thakur's portrayal in the film showcases the dynamics of love against their differing personalities.

In summary, Mrunal Thakur's film outperformed Taapsee Pannu's Assi on their opening day, though both films have faced challenges in a competitive market during their initial release. As the weekend progresses, the box office performance will continue to evolve, revealing audience preferences and engagement with the stories presented.