In recent years, Pakistani cinema-goers have shown a growing interest in box office numbers over traditional film reviews, especially during festive seasons. This shift was evident during Eid-ul-Azha 2025, where audience decisions were largely driven by box office performance rather than critical acclaim. While only a few local films hit theatres this Eid, stiff competition came from international releases. Yet, it was the Pakistani romantic comedy Love Guru that defied expectations and stole the show, both at home and abroad.
A Slow Start, a Massive Comeback
Despite a lackluster response to its grand premiere in Lahore and negative buzz on social media ahead of release, Love Guru emerged as the clear favorite among Eid releases. On the first day of Eid, an impressive 80% of its screenings were sold out, turning the tide in its favor. The public premiere, held a day before Eid alongside the horror film Demak, saw low attendance, disappointing cinema owners. However, by Eid morning, a massive rush was seen, primarily for Love Guru.
Domestic Box Office Triumph
The film kicked off with a record-breaking Rs 31 million on Eid day. Business surged to Rs 35.5 million on the second day and continued to climb to Rs 39.5 million on the third. Including Rs 2.5 million from pre-release shows, the film’s total domestic earnings reached an impressive Rs 108.5 million over the Eid weekend.
Major cinema chains, including Neoplex Cinemas (Karachi), Universal and Q Multiplex (Lahore), Cineplex Packages Mall (Lahore), and Cineplex Jinnah Park (Rawalpindi), reported an over 90% occupancy rate, making Love Guru the biggest Eid success in recent memory.
Overseas Success Mirrors Local Hype
Love Guru also performed exceptionally well in international markets, with strong collections reported from multiple countries:
- USA: $117,215 (~Rs 33 million)
- Canada: $50,193 (~Rs 14.1 million)
- UK: £128,862 (~Rs 49.1 million)
- Australia: AUD 31,662 (~Rs 5.8 million)
The total overseas earnings for Love Guru stood at Rs 102 million by the end of the first weekend, bringing its global total to over Rs 210 million within just three days.
Post-Eid Momentum Holds Steady
Contrary to industry expectations of a post-Eid dip, Love Guru has continued to maintain a dominant presence across Pakistani multiplexes. The film is currently running with a high number of daily showings, indicating sustained audience interest:
- Universal Multiplex, Lahore: 22 shows
- Neoplex Rashid Minhas Road, Karachi: 25 shows
- Q Cinema, Lahore: 27 shows
- Cineplex Packages Mall, Lahore: 17 shows
- Neoplex Defence, Karachi: 11 shows
- …and numerous others across the country.
This overwhelming presence has pushed out underperforming films from cinemas and reshuffled show allocations in favor of The Love Guru.
Mixed Fortunes for Other Eid Releases
Demak Falls Short
Despite decent marketing and favorable reviews, the horror film Demak failed to make a mark with Eid audiences. The film’s subject matter seemed at odds with the festive mood.
- Day 1: Rs 12.8 million
- Day 2: Rs 9 million
- Day 3: Rs 11 million
- Total (including previews): Rs 24.3 million
While Demak benefited slightly from overflow traffic from Love Guru, it never gained significant traction.
Foreign Films Struggle
Hollywood releases, including Ballerina: From the World of John Wick and The Karate Kid: Legends, underperformed at the local box office. Ballerina earned Rs 25.6 million over three days, while The Karate Kid: Legends had a disappointing debut. Regional horror titles like Jin 3, Hadum 5, and Sajjan 8 also failed to pose any real competition, with only Sajjan 8 showing minor gains from the third day onward.
Looking Ahead
Love Guru has not only disrupted the domestic box office but has also outshone major Hollywood films—a rare feat for Pakistani cinema. With a reported production budget of Rs 280 million (28 crores), the film will need to cross the Rs 1 billion (100 crores) mark to achieve profitability. Early trends, however, suggest that the film is on the right trajectory.
Verdict: Eid-ul-Azha 2025 belonged to Love Guru. With strong word-of-mouth, packed shows, and a balanced appeal both at home and abroad, the film has revitalized local industry hopes and reaffirmed that compelling storytelling, paired with star power, can still rule the box office.
