The Malayalam action-comedy film Bha Bha Ba, starring Dileep with a surprise cameo by superstar Mohanlal, has delivered a strong theatrical opening in India and overseas. Released on December 18, 2025, the movie recorded notable box office figures over its initial weekend, bolstered by robust first-day earnings and widespread audience attention across Kerala and beyond.
Early box office trackers show that Bha Bha Ba amassed total net collections of more than ₹13 crore in India alone over its first three days, while worldwide revenue estimates exceed ₹30 crore. The film’s release comes at a festive time for Malayalam cinema, contributing to heightened competition and significant audience turnout at theaters.
Critical and viewer responses so far have been mixed, with notable discussion surrounding the narrative tone, performances, and the use of comedic elements in the storyline. Despite some negative reactions online, the opening weekend numbers suggest that the film has successfully drawn moviegoers to cinemas.
The following report provides a comprehensive breakdown of the film’s box office performance, key contributing factors, audience reaction, and the broader context of Malayalam cinema in late 2025.
Strong Opening Day Performance
Bha Bha Ba debuted to a strong theatrical run in Kerala and other Indian markets on its first day. Box office trackers report that the film earned an estimated ₹6.7 crore net in India on opening day alone, reflecting high theatre occupancy and an enthusiastic turnout from fans. The involvement of Mohanlal in a cameo role was widely cited as a major box office draw, generating buzz and audience interest across the state and in Malayali communities overseas.
The film’s production team capitalised on this surprise appearance as a promotional highlight without prior paid billing for the cameo, a strategy that helped heighten curiosity and conversation prior to and during opening day screenings. This approach appears to have translated into strong ticket sales on Thursday, the day of release, making it one of the most talked-about Malayalam releases of the year.
Industry observers say that a ₹6.7 crore opening day net collection for a Malayalam film represents a healthy start, especially considering the film’s blend of action and comedy — a genre combination that often relies on strong word-of-mouth momentum for sustained performance in subsequent days of release.
Weekend Box Office Results and Trajectory
Following its opening day, Bha Bha Ba continued to draw significant audiences through Friday and Saturday. Box office data indicates that the film’s second day saw a drop in net collections, which is common after a high first-day turnout, with figures around ₹3.3 crore. Despite this decline, overall weekend performance remained solid as the film maintained a combined India net total of ₹13.2 crore over three days.
On Saturday, the film posted a further ₹3.25 crore in net revenue, showing relative stability after Friday’s figures. These steady weekend returns suggest that while initial excitement was high, audience interest continued into the second and third day of release, particularly among core fans of Dileep and Mohanlal.
Innovation strategies such as marketing through social media and early reactions posted on entertainment platforms also contributed to continued public engagement with the film throughout the weekend, helping sustain box office momentum into the early run.
Worldwide Box Office Context
In addition to its domestic success, Bha Bha Ba generated notable international revenue. Estimates from trade trackers and box office reporting platforms show that the worldwide box office gross for the film exceeded ₹30 crore over its first weekend. This includes revenue from markets with significant Malayali diaspora populations, such as the Gulf region, the United States, and parts of Europe.
Analysts confirmed that the film’s global opening figures reflect enduring demand for Malayalam cinema abroad, particularly for movies featuring well-known stars and accessible genre elements. While comprehensive overseas figures continue to be updated by distributors and tracking agencies, early reports indicate a favourable performance compared with many similar regional film releases in the global theatrical market.
The international box office continues to be an important revenue stream for Malayalam films, especially in the fourth quarter of the year when festive periods and holiday openings traditionally favour larger audience turnout at cinemas.
Cameo Impact: Mohanlal’s Contribution
One of the defining talking points around Bha Bha Ba has been the presence of Mohanlal in a special cameo role. Fans and industry commentators alike have credited this appearance with enhancing the film’s visibility and appeal in the crucial pre-release and opening weekend phase.
Despite not being credited with a traditional paid role, Mohanlal’s involvement generated substantial buzz across social media and entertainment news, contributing positively to the film’s promotional reach. This level of support from one of the Malayalam film industry’s most celebrated actors helped attract audiences who might otherwise have been indifferent to the film’s core narrative.
Many fans described Mohanlal’s cameo as a “surprise factor” that elevated early interest, while industry insiders saw it as a strategic move to reinforce theatre attendance amid high competition during the crowded holiday season.
Audience and Critical Reactions
While box office numbers were strong in the opening days, audience and critical responses have been mixed. Several reviewers and viewers have praised the performances of the lead cast, including Dileep’s portrayal of the central character and the energetic contributions from supporting actors. However, opinions diverge on the film’s tone, narrative coherence, and usage of humour.
Some audience members have expressed frustration with comedic scenes that they felt were insensitive or out of place within the context of the storyline. These reactions prompted notable discussion online, with social media platforms hosting both positive testimonials and critical commentary about specific scenes that struck some viewers as controversial or poorly executed.
Despite differing opinions on humour and plot execution, many acknowledge that the film delivers strong entertainment value for certain segments of the fan base, particularly those who favour broad comedy blended with action.
Comparison with Competing Malayalam Releases
When viewed against other recent releases in the Malayalam film industry, Bha Bha Ba performed competitively in its opening weekend. Reports reveal that while the film posted significant box office figures, it did not surpass the opening day numbers of some other high-profile Malayalam films released earlier in the season.
For example, another major regional release outperformed Bha Bha Ba in opening figures, highlighting the competitive landscape in which multiple films vie for audience attention during the peak moviegoing period. Box office experts say that this context is typical of the late December release slate, when several high-budget and star-studded films are launched within close proximity of each other.
Nonetheless, the film’s box office performance remains noteworthy as a strong charmer in its category, especially considering its blend of action and comedy, which can appeal to a broad demographic across Kerala and beyond.
Industry Perspectives on Revenue Sustainability
Despite early success, analysts caution that sustaining momentum beyond the first weekend will depend on audience word-of-mouth, critical reviews, and competing film openings in subsequent weeks. Box office dynamics in Malayalam cinema often show a sharp drop after the opening weekend if a film fails to resonate broadly with viewers or sustain positive public perception.
Trade watchers point out that films with stronger emotional resonance or widely acclaimed storytelling tend to enjoy steadier longer-term performance. For Bha Bha Ba, the coming weeks will be critical in determining whether the film transitions from a strong weekend performer to a commercially enduring hit throughout its theatrical run.
Conclusion
The opening weekend performance of Bha Bha Ba marks a resounding entry for Dileep’s latest film. With strong initial collections, enhanced audience interest due to a Mohanlal cameo, and solid worldwide box office numbers, the film has established a noteworthy early presence in the Malayalam cinema landscape. While mixed audience feedback signals varied responses to specific narrative and comedic choices, early revenue figures highlight that the movie has effectively drawn crowds to theaters during its launch period.
Going forward, how the film sustains its box office earnings will depend on continued audience engagement, critical reception, and the competitive slate of film releases in the post-holiday period. Nonetheless, Bha Bha Ba stands out as a significant addition to the year’s Malayalam film roster, demonstrating the continued vitality and audience appetite for regional cinema in India and abroad.
