NEW DELHI: Just when the industry thought Kartik Aaryan had become the “indestructible” saviour of Bollywood rom-coms, the box office has delivered a brutal reality check. His latest venture, ‘Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri’ (TMMTMTTM), released with much fanfare on Christmas 2025, has not just slowed down—it has completely crashed.
As of January 3, 2026, the film is struggling to even keep its lights on in theatres. With a staggering budget and a massive holiday release window, the movie is now being labelled Kartik’s biggest career setback, with numbers that are reportedly worse than some of his struggling films from 10 years ago.
Kartik Aaryan’s TMMTMTTM Box Office Collection
When TMMTMTTM opened on December 25, it took a modest start of ₹7.75 Crore. While not a “Blockbuster” opening, many expected the New Year festivities to give it a boost. Instead, the opposite happened. The film witnessed a sharp decline almost immediately.
By its second Friday (Day 9), the film’s earnings plummeted to a mere ₹50 Lakh, and early estimates for Day 10 show a heartbreaking crawl of just ₹11 Lakh. For a film headlined by a superstar who recently delivered hits like Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 and Satyaprem Ki Katha, these figures are nothing short of catastrophic.
| Day / Period | Collection (India Net) |
| Day 1 (Opening) | ₹7.75 Crore |
| Week 1 Total | ~₹31.75 Crore |
| Day 9 (2nd Friday) | ₹0.50 Crore |
| Total to Date (Jan 3) | ~₹30.76 Crore |
| Production Budget | ₹90.00 Crore |
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The ‘Dhurandhar’ Tsunami
One of the primary reasons cited for Kartik’s failure is the unstoppable “Ranveer Singh Wave.” Ranveer’s high-octane spy thriller, ‘Dhurandhar’, directed by Aditya Dhar, has rewritten history books. While TMMTMTTM is gasping for air at ₹31 Crore, Dhurandhar has already zoomed past the ₹750 Crore mark domestically and crossed ₹1,162 Crore worldwide.
The audience clearly chose the “theatrical spectacle” of Dhurandhar over the “scenic postcard” romance of Kartik and Ananya Panday. Even the legendary Dharmendra’s film Ikkis managed to outshine Kartik’s daily collections this week, proving that TMMTMTTM simply failed to connect with the masses.
Kartik Aaryan Faces a 10-Year Step Back?
Trade analysts are drawing painful comparisons to Kartik’s early career. In 2015, his film Pyaar Ka Punchnama 2 earned over ₹60 Crore—nearly double what his 2026 release has earned so far. To find numbers as low as TMMTMTTM, one has to look back at his struggle years with films like Akaash Vani (2013) and Kaanchi (2014).
For an actor who now charges a premium fee and commands a massive fan following, returning to the collection levels of a “newcomer” is a serious blow to his brand value.
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Why did Kartik Aaryan’s TMMTMTTM Flop?
Critics and audiences alike felt the “family vs. love” plot was dated and lacked the “monologue magic” Kartik is known for.
Moreover, unlike Bhool Bhulaiyaa or Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety, the soundtrack of TMMTMTTM failed to go viral, which is usually the lifeline for any Dharma rom-com. Post-pandemic, the Indian audience is increasingly rejecting mid-budget romances in favour of “event” cinema.
Kartik Aaryan’s Upcoming Films
Despite this disaster, Kartik’s fans have something to look forward to. He is currently filming a high-budget project with Anurag Basu and the much-hyped ‘Naagzilla’, which is expected to take him back to the “mass” hero status. However, for now, the “Prince of Bollywood” finds himself trapped in a box office Bhool Bhulaiyaa that he didn’t see coming.
Will Kartik Aaryan bounce back with his next? Or has the era of the ‘Chocolate Boy’ rom-com finally ended? Tell us your thoughts in the comments!
