Housefull 5 Sets the Box Office on Fire with Huge Opening

Forget subtlety—when a Bollywood comedy like Housefull 5 drops, you know it won’t sneak into cinemas quietly. Akshay Kumar’s latest comedy juggernaut threw all caution (and logic) to the wind, raking in a massive ₹24 crore on its very first day across India. That’s not just impressive for 2024; it left its predecessor Housefull 4 eating dust when it comes to opening day numbers. The madcap humor and power-packed ensemble seemed to have struck all the right chords with moviegoers who came looking for laughs—and plenty of them.

This time, the franchise isn’t just dishing out more of the same. Director Tarun Mansukhani and ever-inventive producer Sajid Nadiadwala gave fans a wild ride with a plot that didn’t just zig-zag—it actually forked off into two endings. Yes, Housefull 5 is releasing as version A and version B, a move Nadiadwala says he cooked up nearly 30 years ago. Audiences could choose their adventure—and apparently, many wanted both, judging by strong numbers reported for both endings throughout the day.

Globally, Housefull 5's momentum didn't fizzle. The movie’s day one haul touched ₹39.75 crore worldwide. It wasn’t just the opening show that packed theatres—the buzz carried through afternoon and night, filling seats everywhere it played. For the alternate version (Housefull 5B), Hindi-language screenings clocked in with a notable 16% occupancy, which is no small feat for an alternate cut. Bollywood hasn’t seen such a playful take on storytelling, with twists served up alongside some of the loudest gags and physical comedy the industry loves to unleash.

Bigger Cast, Bolder Moves, and a Chaotic Comedy Formula

If you’re wondering how Housefull 5 roped in so many viewers right out of the gate, look no further than its killshot cast. Akshay Kumar leads the pack, but he's surrounded by Bollywood regulars—Riteish Deshmukh, Abhishek Bachchan, Sanjay Dutt, Fardeen Khan, and Jacqueline Fernandez, each playing up the franchise’s trademark hilarity. Their chemistry, tackles and wisecracks make the most of a script that’s absolutely bonkers, with goofs that don’t give you a chance to breathe. The result? The kind of laughter chaos people crave after a rough week.

There's also the novelty factor. Dual endings aren’t just rare in India—they’re almost unheard of, especially for mainstream comedies. This bold move not only boosted curiosity but also saw some fans buying tickets to both versions just to catch every gag. Nadiadwala’s long-standing vision finally hit screens, and as box office reports suggest, the gamble worked.

Bollywood comedies tend to live and die by word of mouth, and after this strong start, Housefull 5 has plenty of it. Whether it’s due to sheer star power, relentless slapstick, or the unique double-ending twist, this movie has set a new standard for what big-budget comedies can achieve on their first day. The bar for the next installment—and for rival film-makers—just got a whole lot higher.