Kesari Veer: Suniel Shetty’s Historical Drama Struggles to Shine at the Box Office

Kesari Veer’s Box Office Debut Falls Short of Expectations

Suniel Shetty and Vivek Oberoi’s historical action drama, Kesari Veer, failed to ignite the box office on its opening day. The film, which marked the return of Sooraj Pancholi after a four-year hiatus, earned an estimated ₹0.25 crore (25 lakhs) in India net, according to early estimates by Sacnilk. This translates to a modest 6.62% Hindi occupancy on Friday.

Lowest Opening of 2025

Sadly, Kesari Veer recorded the lowest opening box office collection of 2025 so far. It fell short of even the modest debuts of films like The Bhootnii (₹65 lakhs) and Superboys of Malegaon (₹50 lakhs) on their first days.

Tough Competition and Mixed Reviews

The film is facing stiff competition from Rajkummar Rao and Wamiqa Gabbi’s Bhool Chuk Maaf, which raked in ₹6.75 crore net in India on its opening day. Adding to the challenges, Kesari Veer has received mixed reviews from critics, with many finding the film loud and lifeless.

A Tale of Courage and Faith

Kesari Veer tells the story of Hamirji Gohil, a valiant warrior who defended the Somnath Temple and Hinduism against the Tughlaq Empire. Sooraj Pancholi steps into the role of the heroic Hamirji Gohil. The film also features a supporting cast including Akanksha Sharma, Barkha Bisht, Kiran Kumar, Aruna Irani, and Bhavya Gandhi. Directed by Prince Dhiman, the movie aims to evoke a sense of patriotism and faith.

Salman Khan’s Boost

Recently, Salman Khan gave Sooraj Pancholi a shoutout on social media, expressing his support for the actor’s Bollywood comeback. This gesture generated significant buzz among fans and added another layer to the film’s promotional campaign.