Akshay Kumar’s Housefull 5 has added another feather to the actor’s illustrious career, as the film crossed the Rs 158 crore mark in India in 11 days, officially becoming his sixth-highest-grossing film to date. The latest installment in the comedy franchise has now surpassed the lifetime collection of Kesari (Rs 155.7 crore) and edged ahead of OMG 2 (Rs 151.16 crore), reaffirming Akshay’s continued box office appeal, especially when it comes to mass entertainers.The film opened on a strong note, collecting Rs 24 crore on its first day, followed by an impressive Rs 31 crore on Saturday and Rs 32.5 crore on Sunday, closing its opening weekend at a healthy Rs 87.5 crore. While the collections dipped post the weekend, the film managed to hold reasonably well over the weekdays, closing Week 1 at Rs 127.25 crore.The second weekend saw expected jumps, with Rs 6 crore on Friday, a decent Rs 9.5 crore on Saturday, and Rs 11.5 crore on Sunday, bringing its total to Rs 158.25 crore by the second Monday, based on early estimates. While the numbers remain impressive, especially for a comedy franchise in 2025, it appears increasingly unlikely that Housefull 5 will surpass Akshay’s fifth-highest grosser, 2.0, which had netted Rs 190.48 crore.The primary reason lies in the current box office dynamics and the arrival of new releases like Aamir Khan’s Sitaare Zameen Par and Dhanush- Nagrjuna’s Kubera on 20th June, which will start to eat into Housefull 5’s screen count and collections. While the franchise tag and Akshay’s enduring popularity have drawn audiences in large numbers, sustaining momentum beyond the second week for a comedy film is traditionally challenging in the Indian market.With 2.0, the scenario was different — it was a massive sci-fi spectacle headlined by Rajinikanth and Akshay Kumar, backed by grand visuals and a festive release window, which helped it reach near-Rs 200 crore mark. Housefull 5, while a big-ticket entertainer, operates in a different genre and with a relatively shorter shelf life at the box office.Nevertheless, the film’s performance cements the Housefull franchise’s status as Bollywood’s most successful comedy series. For Akshay, it marks a reassuring commercial success after a mixed 2024, and bolsters his upcoming slate’s prospects, includingBhoot Bangla, Welcome to the Jungle and Jolly LLB 3.
