The Indian box office continues to witness high drama as two of the country’s biggest stars — Aamir Khan and Dhanush — battle it out with their respective films, Sitaare Zameen Par and Kuberaa. Released on June 20, 2025, both movies made a strong entry into theatres, drawing in fans and families alike across metros and tier-two cities. The real test, however, came on Monday — a day that often reveals whether a film has strong word-of-mouth support or if it fizzles out after a stellar weekend. In this case, Sitaare Zameen Par clearly passed the Monday test, outperforming Kuberaa in terms of numbers and sustaining better momentum at the box office.

Sitaare Zameen Par: Emotional Sequel Strikes Gold

Directed by RS Prasanna, Sitaare Zameen Par has been billed as the spiritual sequel to the 2007 cult classic Taare Zameen Par. Featuring Aamir Khan, Genelia Deshmukh, and Gurpal Singh, the film had a solid opening day with Rs 10.7 crore, followed by an impressive surge to Rs 20.2 crore on Saturday, and then another leap to Rs 27.25 crore on Sunday, showing 88.79% growth over its first two days.

By the time Monday arrived — a critical day that often sees a dip — the film did see a slowdown but still managed to pull in Rs 8.50 crore, which is considered a stable performance. This brings the total collection to Rs 66.65 crore within just four days of release.

With its emotional narrative, family-oriented storytelling, and positive critical reviews (scoring 7.3 out of 10 on IMDb), the movie is clearly resonating with audiences. The weekday number also suggests strong word-of-mouth traction, which could help sustain its momentum throughout the week.

Kuberaa: Stylish Thriller Sees Monday Drop

On the other side of the cinematic battlefield is Kuberaa, an action crime thriller directed by Sekhar Kammula, starring Dhanush, Rashmika Mandanna, and Nagarjuna Akkineni. The film opened with an impressive Rs 14.75 crore, grew to Rs 16.5 crore on Saturday, and closed its first weekend with Rs 17.35 crore on Sunday, indicating moderate but steady growth. However, its Monday performance showed a sharper decline, with earnings dipping to Rs 6.74 crore, a drop of 61.15%.

Currently, the total box office collection of Kuberaa stands at Rs 55.35 crore, slightly behind its competitor. While this is still a strong showing, especially for a regional language film, the steep Monday decline may raise concerns about its staying power in the coming weekdays.

Clash of Genres and Stars

What makes this box office face-off particularly interesting is the contrast in genres, target audience, and storytelling styles. Sitaare Zameen Par, with its family-drama narrative and themes of emotional healing, has tapped into a broader Hindi-speaking demographic, with parents, children, and older audiences flocking to theatres. The legacy of Taare Zameen Par has also played a big role in drawing attention, and Aamir Khan’s comeback to the big screen after a hiatus has created additional buzz.

In contrast, Kuberaa offers gritty action, intense drama, and a gripping storyline, catering largely to fans of southern cinema and urban young audiences. While the film has the advantage of star power and strong regional pull, its genre and darker tone may limit its universal appeal compared to the feel-good narrative of Sitaare Zameen Par.

Critical Reception

Critics have largely praised Sitaare Zameen Par for its engaging screenplay, emotional depth, and strong performances, especially by Aamir Khan and Genelia Deshmukh. The film has received above-average ratings across platforms, with viewers calling it a heartwarming sequel that lives up to its spiritual predecessor.

Kuberaa, on the other hand, has received mixed-to-positive reviews. While Dhanush’s performance is being lauded, and the action sequences appreciated, some critics have pointed out a predictable narrative arc. Nonetheless, the film continues to enjoy good occupancy in Telugu-speaking regions and select multiplexes.

Monday Test Verdict: Sitaare Zameen Par Wins

Looking purely at the numbers, Sitaare Zameen Par has outperformed Kuberaa in the Monday test. Despite both films facing the traditional weekday dip, Aamir Khan’s film managed to retain over 30% of its Sunday audience, while Kuberaa saw over 60% fall in footfalls. In terms of total collections, too, Sitaare Zameen Par is ahead by over Rs 11 crore at the end of day 4.

This early week dominance is crucial as it sets the tone for weekday trends, theatre retention, and future earnings. If the current pattern continues, Sitaare Zameen Par is poised to cross the Rs 100 crore mark faster than Kuberaa, despite the latter’s head start on opening day.

Other Films in Theatres

While these two films dominate the headlines, it's worth noting that other titles like Akshay Kumar and Abhishek Bachchan’s Housefull 5, and the Hollywood release How to Train Your Dragon, are also running in theatres. However, their impact remains limited in the current scenario dominated by the Khan-Dhanush clash.

Conclusion:

The Monday box office has declared a clear winner in the form of Sitaare Zameen Par, which not only maintained strong weekday earnings but also showed sustained audience interest. While Kuberaa continues to perform well in the South, its sharper fall on day 4 gives the edge to Aamir Khan’s emotional drama. With positive reviews, a loyal fan base, and better weekday retention, Sitaare Zameen Par appears to have passed the Monday test with flying colours, emerging as the stronger contender in this June 2025 box office battle.

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