Locha Laapsi, directed by Sachin Brahmbhatt and starring Malhar Thakar, is a Gujarati comedy-thriller that was released on September 20, 2024. The film’s unique premise, combining humor with suspense, follows the story of Bhaskar, an engineer whose road trip turns into a thrilling nightmare. Despite high expectations, Locha Laapsi has faced an uphill battle at the box office, with the numbers showing a moderate performance over its first week.
Box Office Performance by Day 7
As of Day 7, Locha Laapsi has managed to collect approximately ₹2.5 crore worldwide. The film opened with a modest ₹0.55 crore on its first day in India, but the collections saw a noticeable dip during the weekdays, with only slight improvements during the weekend. International earnings have been limited, contributing around ₹0.5 crore to the total collection.
The movie’s domestic performance, particularly in Gujarat, has been its primary contributor, but even there, the film hasn’t seen significant growth beyond the opening weekend. The numbers indicate that while the film sparked some initial interest, it struggled to maintain momentum through its first week.
Box Office Collection Overview
| Day | India Net (₹ Cr) | Overseas (₹ Cr) | Worldwide Total (₹ Cr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | 0.55 | 0.10 | 0.65 |
| Day 2 | 0.21 | 0.10 | 0.31 |
| Day 3 | 0.30 | 0.15 | 0.45 |
| Day 4 | 0.18 | 0.05 | 0.23 |
| Day 5 | 0.20 | 0.05 | 0.25 |
| Day 6 | 0.18 | 0.03 | 0.21 |
| Day 7 | 0.18 | 0.02 | 0.20 |
| Total | 1.80 | 0.50 | 2.50 |
Audience Reaction and Reception
Fans of Malhar Thakar have praised his performance, and the comedic elements in the film have been well-received by segments of the audience. However, the film’s pacing and narrative structure have been critiqued, which might have impacted repeat viewership, a key factor in sustaining box office numbers after the opening weekend.
Despite some positive word-of-mouth from die-hard fans, the overall consensus seems to be that Locha Laapsi didn’t fully capitalize on its intriguing premise. As a result, it has struggled to maintain audience interest beyond the first few days.
Future Outlook
At this point, Locha Laapsi faces an uphill battle to recover its production costs. The film has grossed approximately ₹2.5 crore globally by Day 7, and its prospects of reaching profitability through its theatrical run seem unlikely. However, there is still hope for the film to recoup some of its investment through digital and OTT platforms, where regional films often find a second life.
Given the moderate box office numbers, it is clear that Locha Laapsi has not lived up to its initial expectations. Whether it will manage to pick up in its second week remains uncertain, but it will need a significant push either through positive word-of-mouth or stronger international performance.
Conclusion
Locha Laapsi has had a slow start at the box office, collecting ₹2.5 crore worldwide by the end of its first week. Despite a promising premise and strong performances, the film has struggled to maintain audience interest and has seen declining numbers since its opening weekend. With limited appeal beyond its core Gujarati audience, the movie’s prospects for a box office hit seem slim. Its best hope for recovery lies in the potential success of its digital release, where it may reach a broader audience and improve its overall earnings.
