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Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani re-release revives nostalgia for Bollywood’s romcom era

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Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani turns 10: Ranbir Kapoor, Deepika, Aditya Roy Kapur and Kalki Koechlin reunite

The re-release of Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani (YJHD) has sparked a wave of nostalgia for Bollywood’s golden era of romcoms, drawing attention away from the ongoing dominance of massy, pan-India films. The 2013 blockbuster, which starred Ranbir Kapoor and Deepika Padukone, continues to capture hearts, even as the film industry shifts towards larger-than-life, multi-lingual films aimed at a pan-Indian audience.

Despite both Kapoor and Padukone boasting impressive filmographies, it’s YJHD that remains a standout—both for its heartwarming reunion of the on-screen ex-couple and its ability to resonate with multiple generations, especially Gen Z. The film’s re-release, which launched in select theaters, has already sold over 26,000 tickets, according to trade reports. This impressive number rivals or surpasses the ticket sales of some recent massy action films, despite YJHD also being available for streaming on OTT platforms.

What’s remarkable is that this success highlights the ongoing appeal of Bollywood’s romcom era, when films were built around relatable characters and emotional narratives, as opposed to the grand spectacle of pan-India blockbusters. Fans have taken to social media, recalling their experiences of eagerly waiting in line for YJHD’s original release. One fan commented, “I remember waiting in a long line to buy tickets for this film when it released, and there were people behind me who had to leave because the show became housefull…it was crazy!”

Others have expressed their desire for the return of this genre, which, according to many, offered good music and simple yet meaningful writing. “We need to bring romcoms back! Come on, bring back good music, decent writing—no one is expecting too much,” wrote one user. This sentiment is echoed by many who feel that while pan-India films are ambitiously scaled up in terms of production value, they often fail to evoke the same emotional connection or offer the same comfort as a classic romcom.

Some comments have pointed out that despite the cinematic excellence of pan-India films—featuring star-studded casts, acclaimed directors, and high-budget productions—they don’t always deliver on their lofty promises. “Just a feel-good, comforting film. I’m sick of the larger-than-life, pan-India films. They have all the big actors, directors with good track records, top-class music directors; yet they don’t quite hit the note,” one fan wrote, highlighting the disconnect some audiences feel.

While Bollywood’s exploration of diverse genres is undoubtedly exciting, fans seem to be yearning for comfort films that offer a break from the overwhelming spectacle of action-packed, multi-language blockbusters. For example, the upcoming horror-comedy films in Maddock’s universe, which boasts an impressive lineup of stars like Shraddha Kapoor, Kriti Sanon, and Alia Bhatt, have generated excitement. However, some fans have also expressed concerns about over-saturation of the genre, with one commenting, “Aren’t they over-saturating and milking this horror genre too much now?”

Additionally, the first looks of Sidharth Malhotra and Janhvi Kapoor’s Param Sundari have reminded fans of the early 2010s, a time when Bollywood was in its romcom heyday. The similarities to films from that period have only fueled further nostalgia.

In essence, while Bollywood continues to evolve and experiment, the Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani re-release has reminded fans of a simpler, more heartfelt era of filmmaking—one that they’re eager to revisit. As the film industry pushes boundaries with large-scale, multi-lingual projects, there is a clear call for the return of feel-good, relatable stories that once defined the industry. The success of this re-release might just signal the beginning of a resurgence in romantic comedies for modern audiences.

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Border 2 box office collection day 12 crosses Rs 286 crore, eyes Rs 300 crore milestone

Border 2 box office collection reaches Rs 286.75 crore after 12 days, putting the Sunny Deol-led film close to the Rs 300 crore milestone.

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Sunny Deol in Border 2

Sunny Deol’s Border 2 continues its impressive run at the domestic box office, edging closer to the Rs 300 crore mark by the end of its second week. The war drama, which hit theatres on January 23, has shown consistent collections since its release.

On its second Tuesday, the film earned an estimated Rs 5.75 crore, taking its total earnings to Rs 286.75 crore after 12 days.

Border 2 box office performance so far

The film matched its Monday earnings on February 3, adding Rs 5.75 crore to its tally. With this, Border 2 has managed to hold firm on weekdays, a sign of sustained audience interest.

The film delivered a robust opening week, collecting Rs 224.25 crore, supported by the extended Republic Day holiday period.

Second weekend boosts collections

The second weekend provided another lift to the film’s box office numbers. Friday saw collections of Rs 10.75 crore, followed by Rs 17.75 crore on Saturday. Sunday emerged as the strongest day of the weekend, contributing Rs 22.5 crore to the total.

Monday, which coincided with Republic Day, turned out to be the film’s highest single-day performer so far, with earnings touching Rs 59 crore.

With its current pace, Border 2 has already surpassed the opening weekend figures of Ranveer Singh’s Dhurandhar.

Border 2 review

In a review, film critic Saibal Chatterjee noted that Border 2 succeeds in highlighting the courage of soldiers while also touching upon their emotional vulnerabilities. The film explores themes of separation, loss, fear, and hope, presenting moments of heroism amid personal struggles.

About the film

Directed by Anurag Singh, Border 2 features an ensemble cast including Sunny Deol, Diljit Dosanjh, Varun Dhawan, and Ahan Shetty. Set against the backdrop of the 1971 India-Pakistan war, the film is positioned as a spiritual successor to the 1997 classic Border.

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Why Dhurandhar on Netflix runs shorter than its original theatrical cut

Dhurandhar’s Netflix release sparked confusion over its shorter runtime. The difference is linked to muted dialogue and an updated theatrical cut.

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Dhurandhar

Dhurandhar has finally made its much-awaited debut on Netflix, just days after the Ranveer Singh-starrer completed a blockbuster theatrical run across India. While the film crossed Rs 1,000 crore domestically and went past Rs 1,300 crore worldwide, its OTT release has triggered confusion and criticism over its shorter runtime.

Several viewers took to social media early Friday, claiming that a “censored” version of Dhurandhar was streaming on Netflix. The runtime displayed on the platform is 3 hours and 25 minutes, nearly nine minutes shorter than the film’s originally reported duration of 3 hours and 34 minutes.

What caused the runtime difference

The confusion stems from changes made after the film’s initial theatrical release. According to the revised censor certificate, Dhurandhar now has an approved runtime of 3 hours 28 minutes and 56 seconds. This updated version replaced the earlier cut in cinemas starting January 1.

The revision followed directions to mute two specific words and one dialogue referring to the Baloch community. These changes were implemented without removing scenes, resulting in a marginally shorter runtime.

What viewers noticed on Netflix

Audiences streaming the film on Netflix observed muted portions during a scene involving Sanjay Dutt’s character, SP Chaudhary Aslam. In the original version, the dialogue included a direct reference to a former Baloch police partner. In the revised cut now available on Netflix, those references are muted, while English subtitles offer a generalised translation without naming the community.

Some viewers also pointed out that the film appears to play slightly faster on the platform, contributing to the perception that content had been trimmed.

Is Netflix streaming a censored cut

Industry insiders have clarified that Netflix is carrying the final theatrical version approved by the authorities. As an OTT distributor, the platform uploads films exactly as provided by the producers. The version streaming online is the same revised cut that has been screening in theatres since January.

Importantly, the film’s intense and graphic depiction of violence remains unchanged in the OTT version.

In short, Dhurandhar on Netflix is not a specially edited or censored cut for streaming. It is the updated theatrical version, adjusted for muted dialogue and presented with a slightly faster frame rate.

Following its OTT release, audiences can now look ahead to the sequel, Dhurandhar: The Revenge, scheduled for release on March 19, 2026.

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Border 2 box office collection day 1 crosses Rs 30 crore

Border 2 opens to Rs 30 crore on day one, becoming the biggest opener for Varun Dhawan, Ahan Shetty and Diljit Dosanjh.

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Sunny Deol in Border 2

Border 2 has made an impressive start at the Indian box office, collecting Rs 30 crore on its opening day. The war drama, headlined by Sunny Deol along with Varun Dhawan, Ahan Shetty and Diljit Dosanjh, opened to largely positive audience and critical response.

According to industry tracking data, the film recorded an overall occupancy of 32.1 per cent on day one. Night shows contributed the highest footfall, indicating strong word-of-mouth towards the end of the day.

Strong show count and urban traction

Border 2 was screened in nearly 6,000 shows across the country on its opening day. Major centres reported heavy traction, with over 1,000 shows in Mumbai and more than 1,500 shows across the Delhi-NCR region. Trade sources noted that urban circuits played a key role in pushing the film past the Rs 30 crore mark.

The opening performance places Border 2 ahead of Dhurandhar, which collected Rs 28 crore on its first day despite having a similar nationwide show count. Dhurandhar later saw consistent growth over its opening weekend, a trend that Border 2 is also expected to follow.

Career-best opening for key cast members

Border 2 has emerged as the biggest opening-day film in the careers of Varun Dhawan, Ahan Shetty and Diljit Dosanjh. For Varun Dhawan, the film marks his first box office success since Bhediya in 2023. Ahan Shetty, who made his debut with Tadap in 2021, has registered his first theatrical hit with the war drama.

For Sunny Deol, however, Border 2 does not surpass the opening records of Gadar 2, which remains his highest-grossing film with a worldwide collection of Rs 686 crore.

Dhurandhar sees slowdown after Border 2 release

Meanwhile, Dhurandhar’s box office run has slowed following the release of Border 2. The film reportedly earned under Rs 1 crore for the first time in nearly 50 days, reflecting the impact of the new release.

Directed by Anurag Singh and produced by JP Dutta and Nidhi Dutta, Border 2 also features Sonam Bajwa and Mona Singh in prominent roles.

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