Harshvardhan Rane and Sonam Bajwa’s romantic drama Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat has emerged as one of the most surprising success stories of 2025. Despite releasing alongside Ayushmann Khurrana and Rashmika Mandanna’s Thammaduring the festive Diwali weekend, the film has managed to attract audiences steadily over its ten-day run. As of Thursday, it has crossed the ₹55 crore mark at the domestic box office, surpassing the lifetime earnings of Anurag Basu’s Metro In Dino, which had collected ₹52.61 crore in total. The film’s unexpected performance has made it one of the most discussed romantic dramas of the year.

A Film That Defied Mixed Reviews

When Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat opened in theatres, expectations were moderate. The trailer had hinted at a passionate and turbulent love story between a political leader and a film star, set against the backdrop of power, pride, and obsession. While the premise intrigued audiences, early critical reactions were mixed. Several reviewers pointed out that Milap Zaveri’s direction leaned heavily on melodrama and predictable tropes. Others, however, praised the film’s intensity, its emotional sincerity, and the chemistry between Harshvardhan Rane and Sonam Bajwa.

Despite the critical divide, the movie found resonance with the public. Word-of-mouth, especially from smaller towns and single-screen audiences, turned out to be significantly positive. Viewers connected with the raw emotions, the passionate storytelling, and the intense performances. Social media chatter also contributed to the film’s growing popularity, as clips from the film went viral for their emotional dialogues and gripping sequences.

The result was that the movie opened to decent numbers and, instead of fading in the first week as many romantic dramas do, it held its ground firmly through the second weekend.

The Box Office Journey So Far

According to box office tracking portal Sacnilk, Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat maintained an impressive run through its first ten days. The film collected ₹4.5 crore on its second Tuesday, followed by ₹3 crore on Wednesday and ₹2.5 crore on Thursday. This brought its total to ₹55 crore by the end of day ten. For a film made on a modest budget of ₹25 crore, these figures represent an extraordinary return on investment. The film recovered its entire cost within the first four days of release and has since continued to add profits for its producers.

Trade analysts have noted that the film’s business model was smartly structured. With strong music sales, satellite rights, and streaming deals already secured before release, the theatrical revenue served as an added bonus. The consistent box office numbers have made it one of the few romantic dramas in recent years to achieve both critical conversation and commercial success.

Interestingly, Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat’s rise came at the expense of Metro In Dino, a film that was expected to dominate the genre earlier this year. Despite boasting a formidable cast that included Aditya Roy Kapur, Sara Ali Khan, Pankaj Tripathi, Konkona Sensharma, Ali Fazal, Fatima Sana Shaikh, Neena Gupta, and Anupam Kher, Metro In Dinostruggled to perform. Critics appreciated its nuanced portrayal of urban loneliness and modern relationships, but the film failed to attract large audiences. With its ₹52.61 crore lifetime total, Metro In Dino was considered a mild underperformer, especially given the expectations surrounding Anurag Basu’s directorial reputation. The fact that Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat has now overtaken it reflects a broader audience preference shift toward more passionate and dramatic love stories.

The Story Behind the Success

At the heart of Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat lies a narrative driven by passion, power, and obsession. The film tells the story of a powerful politician (played by Harshvardhan Rane) who becomes infatuated with a famous film star (Sonam Bajwa). What begins as admiration soon turns into a consuming love affair that spirals into dangerous territory, testing both their identities and their boundaries.

Milap Zaveri, who is known for his massy storytelling in films like Satyameva Jayate and Marjaavaan, brings his signature intensity to this romantic drama. While the tone of the film is unapologetically emotional, it manages to retain a certain authenticity that resonates with audiences seeking heartfelt cinema. Rane’s portrayal of a man torn between love and ambition has been particularly appreciated, as has Bajwa’s performance as a woman who refuses to be defined by her relationships.

The music of the film also played a crucial role in its success. Composers Tanishk Bagchi and Mithoon delivered a soulful soundtrack that became popular even before the film’s release. Songs like Deewani Dil, Tere Saath, and Aag Ka Dariyastruck a chord with listeners, helping to sustain interest in the film during its initial days.

Audience Reception and Word-of-Mouth Momentum

While the initial reviews may not have been flattering, audience feedback painted a different picture. Viewers praised the emotional core of the film, the passionate dialogues, and the lead pair’s chemistry. Many also appreciated how the story blended political drama with romance, creating an unusual yet engaging narrative structure.

In smaller cities and semi-urban centers, the film’s melodramatic tone worked to its advantage. Family audiences, in particular, connected with its old-school romantic appeal, reminiscent of the grand love stories of the early 2000s. The film’s theatrical longevity can also be attributed to this cross-generational appeal.

On social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram, fan edits and dialogue clips helped sustain buzz. The film became a frequent topic of discussion among fans of Harshvardhan Rane and Sonam Bajwa, both of whom received praise for their on-screen intensity and commitment to the roles.

Harshvardhan Rane on the Film’s Success

Reflecting on the film’s strong box office performance, Harshvardhan Rane shared his thoughts during an interview with Zoom. He highlighted how the film’s success — alongside that of Thamma, another outsider-led project — could mark a turning point in the ongoing conversation about nepotism in Bollywood.

“My initial reaction was that the whole country should finally stop using this one word that we’ve been obsessed with for the last six or seven years — nepotism,” Rane said. “Let’s end this word in 2025 because you guys have ended it. Two outsider films released together on Diwali, and both received equal love and box office numbers. What does that mean? That the audience treats everyone equally.”

His statement resonated with many in the industry who have long debated the challenges faced by self-made actors in Bollywood. Rane’s career has been defined by persistence and versatility, and the success of Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyatis likely to open more mainstream opportunities for him.

Looking Ahead

With the film entering its second week on a strong note, trade analysts predict that Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat could comfortably cross ₹60 crore in its theatrical run. Its continued momentum also positions it as one of the most profitable romantic films of the year. Moreover, the film’s success reinforces the idea that strong emotions, relatable storytelling, and compelling performances can still drive footfall to theatres — even in an age dominated by big-budget spectacles and franchise films.

For Sonam Bajwa, this film adds another notable performance to her growing list of Bollywood projects, while for Milap Zaveri, it marks a comeback after a mixed record with his recent releases.

In conclusion, Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat stands as a reminder that sometimes, passion — both on-screen and off-screen — can defy industry expectations. It may not have started as a critical darling, but through its emotional storytelling, strong performances, and consistent audience support, it has turned into one of 2025’s most unexpected box office triumphs.