The Bollywood box office today is seeing an intriguing tussle between two different films, Metro… In Dino and Sitaare Zameen Par. Though both films belong to entirely different storytelling spaces, they have both managed to find their own niche in the hearts of people. As one movie gradually gains momentum with a robust cast and sentimental storytelling, the other is slowly working towards becoming one of the biggest hits of 2025.
Let’s dissect the box office and critical response of these two film contenders.
Metro… In Dino: A Modern Mosaic of Urban Emotions
Released on July 4, Metro… In Dino Marks, director Anurag Basu returns to the multi-narrative genre he previously explored in Life… In a Metro. This emotional anthology stars a stellar cast including Aditya Roy Kapur, Sara Ali Khan, Neena Gupta, Pankaj Tripathi, Konkona Sen Sharma, Anupam Kher, and Ali Fazal. The movie is co-produced by T-Series Films and Anurag Basu Productions.
Cinephiles and audiences alike have enjoyed the film’s sincere depictions of mundane struggles, loneliness, and love in contemporary Indian cities. Not being a mass entertainer, its understated narrative has found it a faithful body of followers.
Box Office Journey So Far
Despite being a genre that usually sees a niche viewership, Metro… In Dino had a modest but promising start at the box office.
- Day 1 (Thursday): ₹3.5 crore
- Day 2 (Friday): ₹6 crore
- Day 3 (Saturday): ₹6.67 crore
This brings its first weekend total to ₹16.17 crore. For a film of its genre and size, these are decent numbers, and it shows good word-of-mouth working to its benefit.
As the film’s steady pattern and absence of any severe competition until the middle of July, the film will continue to have its smooth run. If it maintains this pace, Metro… In Dino could turn out to be a sleeper hit.
Sitaare Zameen Par: Aamir Khan’s Winning Streak Continues
On the other hand, Sitaare Zameen Par, which hit cinemas 17 days ago, continues its powerful march at the box office. Directed by RS Prasanna, the movie also stars Aamir Khan and Genelia D’Souza in main roles, accompanied by a new cast of new heroes such as Ashish Pendse, Rishi Shahani, Aroush Datta, Gopi Krishna Varma, and others.
The movie is about a suspended basketball coach who finds a second chance when he mentors a team of underdog players. It’s an inspirational sports movie replete with emotions, moral dilemmas, and Aamir Khan-esque motivation.
Box Office Supremacy
Sitaare Zameen Par has managed to win over a wide range of audiences, youth and families, due to its emotional connection and Aamir’s evergreen image.
In the third weekend, the film continued to perform well:
- Day 17 (Saturday): ₹4.75 crore
- Day 18 (Sunday): ₹6.25 crore
- Third weekend total: Over ₹11 crore
Its home net collection currently remains at ₹148.80 crore, with a global gross reportedly over ₹200 crore. This accomplishment makes Sitaare Zameen Par the fourth highest-grossing Hindi movie of 2025, following Chhaava, Housefull 5, and Raid 2.
And even more surprising is the consistent performance of the film even in its third week, an indication of strong retention among viewers. Aamir Khan’s brand value, along with emotionally charged narratives, continues to pay dividends at the box office.
The Verdict: Separate Lanes, Same Destination, Love of the Audience
While Sitaare Zameen Par is indisputably the larger commercial success, Metro… In Dino is gaining credit for its sensitive handling and plot-driven characters. One is a mass-appeal sports drama with a strong moral undertone, and the other is a slice-of-life film portraying everyday urban experiences. Both have been successful in their own right.
For Aditya Roy Kapur and Sara Ali Khan, Metro… In Dino is a crucial film that adds depth to their filmography. For Aamir Khan, Sitaare Zameen Par is a reaffirmation of his position as a performer who can blend message with entertainment and still pull in the crowds.
Final Takeaway
Bollywood’s July releases are off to a promising start. Metro… Dino may not be shattering records, but it’s holding its own with strong weekend numbers and critical acclaim. Sitaare Zameen Par, however, is turning out to be a box office phenomenon, set to join the ₹150 crore club in India.
Amidst a period where characters are largely lost in big-budget extravaganzas, it is a pleasure to find content-led films finding favor with critics as well as audiences alike. Be it a low-key tale of urban lives or a heartwarming narrative of sport and redemption, 2025 is shaping up to be a decent year for Hindi cinema.
Stay tuned as we continue to update you on box office runs of these movies!