Key Points
- Vijay Raaz’s Udaipur Files opens weak; 3-day India total at about ₹27 lakh.
- Day-wise: ₹13 lakh (Fri), ₹1 lakh (Sat), ₹13 lakh (Sun, till update).
- Budget not officially disclosed; release followed legal tussles and heavy censorship.
- Nationwide rollout claimed across 4,500 screens after green light; mixed-to-poor reviews.
- Based on 2022 Kanhaiya Lal murder; family members attended screenings amid appeals for justice.
Mumbai: Udaipur Files recorded an estimated ₹27 lakh in its opening 3 days, underscoring a muted audience response despite high pre-release buzz and controversy. Day-wise estimates indicate ₹13 lakh on Friday, a sharp drop to ₹1 lakh on Saturday, and a partial Sunday recovery to ₹13 lakh by the time reports were filed. A separate trade listing also logs a very low ₹1 lakh for Day 1, reflecting variation across trackers and confirming the weak start.
Release, Censorship, and Legal Timeline
Following stays and multiple challenges, the Delhi High Court declined to halt the release on August 8, allowing the film to open after the Centre reaffirmed certification with additional edits earlier that week. The director announced the new August 8 release date after Supreme Court directions to let the High Court hear pending pleas on the certification dispute. The film had earlier missed its July 11 slot amid censor and legal hurdles.
Scale of Release and On-Ground Reception
Producers claimed a wide rollout, saying the film released in 4,500 cinemas nationwide after certification; Kanhaiya Lal’s son publicly endorsed the film’s message while reiterating the family’s fight for justice. Despite the footprint and social media traction, collections remained limited through the weekend. Reviews have been mixed to negative, with critiques pointing to erratic pacing and cluttered subplots.
About the Film
Udaipur Files is based on the June 2022 Udaipur murder of tailor Kanhaiya Lal, which triggered nationwide outrage; the film dramatizes the events and investigation surrounding the case. It stars Vijay Raaz and opened in India on August 8, 2025, after months of legal back-and-forth including reports of substantial cuts at various stages.
Budget, Screens vs. Collections
The makers have not publicly disclosed the production budget, making profitability assessments premature; however, early numbers suggest underperformance relative to the film’s release scale and publicity. Trade trackers and entertainment portals uniformly highlight a very slow start at the box office.
What To Watch Next
- Weekday trend and hold in Tier-2/3 circuits post-opening weekend.
- Any official clarification on budget and screen count to contextualize sustainability.
- Legal and security developments around the film and its producers following reported threats.
