Bollywood has seen many big releases this year, but few have managed to capture hearts the way Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat has. The romantic drama, starring Harshvardhan Rane and Sonam Bajwa, has quietly turned into one of the biggest surprises of 2025. Despite starting with modest expectations, the film has gone on to cross the ₹100 crore mark worldwide — a major achievement for a love story without a massive star cast or big-budget promotions.
The film’s journey proves once again that if a story connects emotionally, audiences will show up — no matter what the competition looks like.
A Film That Won Hearts, Not Just Numbers
When Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat released on Diwali, it faced tough competition. Bigger films were dominating headlines, and trade analysts didn’t expect much from this romantic drama directed by Milap Zaveri. But as days went by, the mood around the film started changing.
What began as a quiet release soon became a word-of-mouth sensation. Viewers connected with its emotional story, soulful music, and the raw chemistry between Harshvardhan Rane and Sonam Bajwa. While critics had mixed opinions, audiences turned it into a hit through sheer love and repeat viewings.
By the end of its second week, Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat had crossed ₹100 crore worldwide — a milestone very few romantic films achieve in today’s action-heavy Bollywood landscape.
Box Office: From a Steady Start to a Blockbuster Run
The movie started slow, earning just under ₹8 crore on its opening day. But the weekend brought good news — word spread quickly that it was a film worth watching. Collections grew steadily throughout the first week, surprising everyone in the industry.
As of the second week, the film has earned ₹66 crore nett (₹80 crore gross) in India and ₹15 crore overseas, according to official figures shared by the makers. This brings its total worldwide collection to ₹101 crore in just 12 days.
Even trade analysts, who estimate the figure slightly lower at around ₹92 crore, agree that the film will comfortably cross ₹100 crore in the coming days.
For a film with no A-list superstar, these are extraordinary numbers — proof that emotional storytelling still sells when it’s done right.
Beating Other Romantic Hits of the Year
2025 has been a surprisingly strong year for love stories. Films like Saiyaara broke records with ₹575 crore, and others like Param Sundari (₹86 crore) and Bhool Chuk Maaf (₹91 crore) performed decently.
However, Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat has now beaten both Param Sundari and Bhool Chuk Maaf in lifetime earnings, placing itself firmly among the top-performing romantic films of the year.
The success becomes even more impressive when you consider that the movie relied almost entirely on audience appreciation rather than big marketing campaigns. It’s the kind of organic success Bollywood hasn’t seen in a while.
The Secret Behind the Success: Pure Word of Mouth
When the film released, it didn’t have explosive opening numbers — but what it did have was honesty. Viewers who walked into the theatre came out emotionally moved.
Social media began buzzing with posts praising the film’s emotional depth, old-school romantic feel, and melodious music. Hashtags like #EkDeewaneKiDeewaniyat and #DeewaneForLove began trending.
Clips of Harshvardhan Rane and Sonam Bajwa’s tender moments from the film spread rapidly across Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts, helping it reach audiences who hadn’t even planned to watch it.
Soon, evening shows started filling up even during weekdays — a clear sign that the film had connected with people’s hearts.
Harshvardhan Rane and Sonam Bajwa: The Soul of the Film
One of the biggest reasons Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat works so well is the chemistry between its leads.
Harshvardhan Rane brings his signature intensity to the role of a man deeply in love but torn by fate. His quiet expressions, emotional breakdowns, and sincerity make the audience feel every bit of his heartbreak. Many fans and critics have called it his best performance yet.
Sonam Bajwa, who plays his love interest, shines equally bright. She brings grace, strength, and depth to her character — someone who is vulnerable yet determined. Her performance adds soul to the story and has been praised for its natural charm.
Together, Rane and Bajwa create magic on screen — a pair that feels believable, raw, and deeply human.
Milap Zaveri’s Change of Direction
Director Milap Zaveri, known for his high-octane action films like Satyameva Jayate, took a surprising turn with Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat. This time, he left behind the guns and explosions for a love story filled with emotions, memories, and longing.
The result is a film that feels nostalgic yet fresh. Zaveri captures the simplicity of classic Bollywood romance — heartfelt dialogues, soulful music, and grand emotional moments. The film’s cinematography beautifully blends urban and rural India, creating a visual palette that enhances its emotional impact.
Zaveri also ensures the film doesn’t feel outdated. By balancing timeless love with modern storytelling, he has crafted something that appeals to both older and younger generations.
Music: The Heartbeat of the Film
The film’s music album deserves a lot of credit for its success. Every love story needs memorable songs, and Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat delivers several.
Tracks like Tere Bina Main Kahan, Tumse Hi Deewangi Hai, and Aankhon Mein Jo Pyar Hai have become instant chartbusters. The melodies are soothing, the lyrics heartfelt, and the vocals deeply emotional — a rare combination in today’s fast-paced music scene.
These songs have not only driven people to theatres but also kept the film alive on streaming platforms, playlists, and social media trends.
Audience Love and Repeat Viewership
In many cities, especially in the North — Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh — the film has seen strong hold even after two weeks.
Reports suggest that families and couples are revisiting theatres to experience the film again. In an age where most viewers prefer OTT, Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat has managed to pull crowds back to the big screen purely through its emotional pull.
Viewers have described the film as “simple yet powerful,” “a true love story,” and “a reminder of how Bollywood romance used to feel.” It’s that nostalgic emotional connection that’s keeping the film alive in theatres even now.
Overseas Performance: Slow and Steady
The movie has also performed well internationally, collecting around ₹15 crore overseas. Its strongest markets include the UAE, Canada, and the UK, where the Indian diaspora has responded warmly to its themes of love and longing.
Just like in India, the film’s overseas growth has been gradual — word of mouth has played a big role. People abroad, who often miss traditional Bollywood-style romance, have found comfort in this emotionally rich story.
Critical Reception: Mixed but Respectful
Critics weren’t entirely kind to the movie during its first week. Some found the story predictable or melodramatic. But over time, even skeptical reviewers began to appreciate its sincerity.
Several major publications praised Harshvardhan Rane’s performance and Milap Zaveri’s decision to bring back pure romance. Others called it a “refreshing break from formulaic thrillers.”
The film might not be perfect, but it’s genuine — and that’s exactly why it’s working.
Social Media Craze
Social media has played a massive role in the movie’s growing popularity. Fan-made edits of romantic scenes, dialogues, and songs have flooded Instagram and YouTube.
Fans have created trends celebrating the film’s success, and both Sonam Bajwa and Harshvardhan Rane have actively interacted with them online. Bajwa shared an emotional post thanking fans for turning the film into a “celebration of love,” while Rane described the success as “a victory for emotion and honesty.”
The film has built a strong emotional community online — something rare in recent Bollywood releases.
A Turning Point for Harshvardhan Rane
For Harshvardhan Rane, this film has been a breakthrough moment. While he’s always been respected as a talented actor, he hadn’t yet had a box office hit that matched his talent. Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat changed that.
Producers are now approaching him for new romantic projects, and his fan following has multiplied. His emotional depth, coupled with rugged charm, has made him one of the most talked-about leading men of 2025.
He’s finally found the recognition his performances have long deserved.
A Big Step for Sonam Bajwa
Sonam Bajwa has already made a name for herself in Punjabi cinema, but this film has helped her gain a strong foothold in Bollywood too.
Her portrayal of love and heartbreak in Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat has been widely praised. The character allowed her to show both emotional vulnerability and inner strength, and she delivered beautifully.
Many critics believe this film will open the door for more major Hindi projects for her in the coming years.
Reviving Romance in Bollywood
One of the most exciting takeaways from Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat’s success is the revival of romantic dramas in Bollywood.
For the last few years, the industry has been dominated by action, fantasy, and biopics. But the success of this film shows that audiences still crave emotional, relationship-driven stories — films that make them feel something.
People miss that old-school Bollywood romance — love letters, long stares, heartfelt songs — and Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat has brought that magic back.
The Film’s Legacy and What It Means
More than just box office numbers, Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat represents the power of storytelling. It proves that not every film needs to be a massive spectacle to succeed — sometimes, sincerity and emotion are enough.
It also highlights how important audience word-of-mouth has become. Without grand promotions or controversy, this film has built its success from the ground up — one heartfelt recommendation at a time.
