MUMBAI: Yash Raj Films’ Alpha is expected to net approximately Rs. 350 million (Rs. 35 crore) during its opening weekend in India, thereby registering the biggest opening weekend ever for a Hindi female-led spy thriller. The Alia Bhatt and Sharvari starrer also becomes the first female-led film in the blockbuster YRF Spy Universe, opening a new chapter for one of Hindi cinema’s most successful franchises.
The film opened on Friday with estimated collections of Rs. 92.5 million (Rs. 9.25 crore) net, delivering one of the strongest openings for a female-led Hindi film. Premium multiplexes across Mumbai, Delhi-NCR, Bengaluru, Pune and Hyderabad accounted for a significant share of the business, while evening and night shows witnessed encouraging occupancies.
Momentum improved further on Saturday with early estimates indicating collections in the vicinity of Rs. 112.5–115 million (Rs. 11.25–11.50 crore) net, reflecting healthy growth over Friday. The two-day total is estimated at approximately Rs. 205–207.5 million (Rs. 20.50–20.75 crore) net, placing the film firmly on course for an opening weekend in excess of Rs. 350 million (Rs. 35 crore).
Trade circles have inevitably compared Alpha starring Alia Bhatt with earlier YRF Spy Universe blockbusters including Pathaan, War and Tiger 3. However, such comparisons overlook a key distinction. Unlike its predecessors, Alpha inaugurates the franchise’s first female-led chapter. From a trade perspective, the more relevant benchmark is the female-led action category, where the film appears set to establish a new opening weekend record rather than compete with long-established male-led franchise titles.
The significance of the opening extends beyond the collections themselves. Mounted as a marquee YRF event film, Alpha demonstrates that Alia Bhatt’s female-led action spectacles can command nationwide theatrical releases, premium showcasing and strong audience interest across the country’s key exhibition circuits. The performance is likely to encourage greater investment in large-scale female-led commercial entertainers going forward.
Early trends suggest the film will require a Sunday in the region of Rs. 350 million (Rs. 35 crore) net opening weekend range. Strong family audiences and continued multiplex momentum are expected to play a crucial role in achieving that target.
YRF’s Alpha will establish the first meaningful box-office benchmark for female-led spy thrillers in Hindi cinema. With no comparable tentpole release in the category to date, the film effectively creates a new commercial yardstick against which future female-led spy franchises are likely to be measured.
Attention will now shift to Monday’s hold, traditionally regarded by the trade as the first real indicator of a film’s long-term theatrical trajectory. A steady weekday trend would further consolidate Alpha’s opening weekend achievement and strengthen its position as one of the year’s most significant theatrical launches in the female-led action genre.
Here’s to a era of female spy cinema with YRF and Alia Bhatts Alpha.
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