The highly anticipated theatrical debut of Junaid Khan, son of Bollywood icon Aamir Khan, has faced a difficult start at the box office. While updates for the film Ek Din have been building anticipation since 2025, the actual numbers following its release have raised concerns about its commercial trajectory.

Starring Junaid Khan alongside South Indian star Sai Pallavi, the film’s initial performance suggests a steep climb ahead to reach financial recovery.

A Muted Opening at the Box Office

Despite the curiosity surrounding the fresh pairing and Junaid’s lineage, Ek Din failed to cross the critical ₹1 crore mark on its first day. The opening day statistics paint a challenging picture for the production:

• Net Collection: ₹0.81 crore

• Gross Collection: ₹1.20 crore

The film, which features picturesque sequences shot in Japan, is reportedly slowing down at the ticket windows. With a modest budget estimated at ₹15 crore, the film will rely heavily on a massive surge over the Saturday and Sunday period to have any hope of breaking even.

Lagging Behind 'LoveYapa'

This performance marks a new low for Junaid Khan in terms of theatrical openings. His 2025 release, LoveYapa, where he starred opposite Khushi Kapoor, managed a slightly better reception despite its own limited success.

Comparing the two, LoveYapa secured an opening day gross of ₹1.33 crore, leaving Ek Din trailing significantly behind his previous big-screen outing. Furthermore, the film has yet to see any substantial traction from overseas markets, adding further pressure on the domestic run.

From OTT Success to Theatrical Hurdles

The tepid response to Ek Din stands in stark contrast to Junaid Khan's debut in the digital space. He first garnered widespread acclaim for his role in the period drama Maharaj, where he played a determined journalist.

His performance in that project was lauded for its maturity, especially as he held his own against veteran actor Jaideep Ahlawat. While his talent was evident on OTT, the transition to being a reliable theatrical draw is proving to be a much tougher challenge for the young actor.

What’s Next?

The fate of Ek Din now rests on the "word-of-mouth" factor. Whether the chemistry between Junaid and Sai Pallavi can eventually draw audiences back to theaters during the weekdays remains the big question for the filmmakers and the Khan family.