November 13, 2025 : With just one day left for release, Ajay Devgn’s romantic comedy sequel De De Pyaar De 2 has taken the box office by storm — even before it hits the screens. The film’s advance booking numbers have soared by 220% in the last 24 hours, setting the stage for one of the strongest openings for a rom-com in recent times.
This sudden surge in ticket sales has sent shockwaves through trade circles, as it now appears that De De Pyaar De 2 might outperform Kriti Sanon and Rajkummar Rao’s Bhool Chuk Maaf — which had been enjoying a strong run until now.
A Massive Turnaround in Pre-Release Momentum
According to early trade reports, De De Pyaar De 2 has seen an explosive jump in advance bookings, particularly in metropolitan cities like Mumbai, Delhi-NCR, Bengaluru, and Pune. Within just one day, the film added nearly ₹2.3 crore worth of advance ticket sales, with major multiplex chains reporting near-housefull morning and evening shows for Friday.
The film’s pre-release buzz, initially lukewarm, got a major boost after positive word-of-mouth from early screenings and viral promotional clips featuring Ajay Devgn’s witty one-liners and chemistry with Rakul Preet Singh.
Trade analyst Taran Adarsh shared on X (formerly Twitter):
“#DeDePyaarDe2 is on fire 🔥 in advance bookings! Urban multiplex audience is back in action. Expect a solid start — could surprise on Day 1!”
De De Pyaar De 2 vs Bhool Chuk Maaf: The Box Office Battle
Kriti Sanon’s Bhool Chuk Maaf has performed well since its release, maintaining steady collections in its second week. However, the arrival of De De Pyaar De 2 threatens to cut into its screens and audience base, particularly in the rom-com and urban family entertainment segments.
Trade trackers estimate that De De Pyaar De 2 could open in the ₹10–12 crore range on Day 1, possibly higher depending on walk-ins. If that happens, Bhool Chuk Maaf could see a drop of 40–50% in its weekend numbers.
Film exhibitor Akshaye Rathi commented,
“The first De De Pyaar De was a big urban hit. This sequel carries that goodwill. Ajay Devgn’s mass following, coupled with family-friendly humor, gives it strong box office potential.”
Audience Excitement Peaks Ahead of Release
The sequel, directed by Anshul Sharma, brings back the mix of love, laughter, and midlife romance that made the 2019 original a hit. Early fan reactions praise its refreshing tone, saying it’s “exactly the kind of fun, feel-good cinema missing lately.”
Online ticketing platforms like BookMyShow and Paytm Movies have recorded high booking traffic, with several prime-time shows already sold out. Cities like Ahmedabad, Chandigarh, Hyderabad, and Kolkata have also shown strong pre-release traction — an encouraging sign for a rom-com release in a post-pandemic market dominated by thrillers and action films.
Meanwhile, Bhool Chuk Maaf — which opened to a decent ₹7.5 crore — might struggle to maintain momentum if De De Pyaar De 2 performs beyond expectations.
Ajay Devgn’s Star Power Still Intact
Ajay Devgn continues his impressive streak following Shaitaan and Maidaan, both of which performed solidly in their respective genres. De De Pyaar De 2 presents him in a lighter, more relatable role, which fans have been waiting for since the first part.
The sequel’s trailers emphasize witty dialogues and emotional moments that resonate with both younger audiences and family viewers — a balance Devgn has often perfected in his long career.
Moreover, Tabu’s cameo appearance, confirmed recently, has further fueled curiosity. Her on-screen chemistry with Devgn remains a fan favorite since Golmaal Again and Drishyam 2.
Strong Buzz in Overseas Markets
The excitement isn’t limited to India. Overseas distributors have reported robust pre-sales in the UAE, the UK, and North America. Analysts predict that De De Pyaar De 2 could outperform other recent Hindi releases internationally, especially given its universal appeal and humor-driven storyline.
“Ajay Devgn’s brand value travels well,” said U.K.-based distributor Raj Bansal. “There’s nostalgia around the original film, and this sequel taps into that emotional connection beautifully.”
What to Expect on Opening Day
Trade experts believe that if word-of-mouth matches the hype, De De Pyaar De 2 could enjoy a dream weekend collection of ₹35–40 crore, with a long theatrical run through the festive weeks ahead.
Multiplex chains have increased the number of shows, anticipating strong footfall. Early projections suggest that De De Pyaar De 2 may dominate urban screens, while Bhool Chuk Maaf retains a smaller share in select single screens.
If the momentum continues, Ajay Devgn could be looking at his third back-to-back hit of the year, reinforcing his status as one of Bollywood’s most bankable stars.
Summary
Ajay Devgn’s De De Pyaar De 2 sees a 220% surge in advance bookings, signaling a strong box office opening and threatening Bhool Chuk Maaf’s ongoing success in urban markets.