‘Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari’ Dominates Box Office as October Heats Up with Festive Flicks and AI Controversies
India News Reporter Desk: As the monsoon clouds give way to the vibrant hues of autumn (Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari), Bollywood is riding high on a wave of festive energy and blockbuster releases. This October, the industry isn’t just celebrating Dussehra and Diwali with fireworks; it’s lighting up screens across the nation with a cocktail of rom coms, thrillers, and mythological epics. Leading the charge is the Varun Dhawan Kiara Advani starrer Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari, which has already crossed the Rs 30 crore mark in its opening weekend, proving once again that family entertainers are the heart and soul of Hindi cinema. But amid the cheers, whispers of AI deepfakes and legal battles are adding a layer of intrigue to Tinseltown’s glittering facade.
Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari: A Desi Rom Com That Packs a Punch
Directed by Shashank Khaitan the maestro behind Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania and Badrinath Ki Dulhania Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari hit theaters on October 2, 2025, and has since become the talk of the town. Backed by Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions and Mentor Disciple Entertainment, the film unfolds against the chaotic, colorful backdrop of a quintessential big fat Indian wedding, blending romance, comedy, and a dash of social commentary.
Varun Dhawan, in his signature boy next door avatar, plays Sunny, a self proclaimed ‘sanskari ‘ lad from a conservative Rajasthani family who falls head over heels for Tulsi (Kiara Advani), a free spirited modern woman from the bustling streets of Delhi. What starts as a meet cute at a wedding turns into a whirlwind of cultural clashes, hilarious misunderstandings, and heartfelt revelations about love transcending traditions. Advani shines as Tulsi, bringing her effortless charm and impeccable comic timing to the fore, while Dhawan’s high energy antics keep the audience in splits.
Critics are raving about the film’s fresh take on the arranged vs love marriage trope, with trade analyst Komal Nahta calling it ‘a breath of fresh air in an era of remakes and reboots. ‘ The soundtrack, composed by Tanishk Bagchi and Vishal Mishra, features earworms like ‘Sanskari Twist ‘ and ‘Tulsi Ka Jadoo, ‘ which have already topped Spotify’s Bollywood charts. Box office numbers tell an even sweeter story: The film minted Rs 6 crore on its debut Friday, surged to Rs 12.5 crore on Saturday, and added Rs 13.62 crore on Sunday, totaling Rs 32.12 crore over the extended weekend. With positive word of mouth and the festive season in full swing, projections suggest it could cross Rs 100 crore by mid October.
Khaitan, speaking exclusively to India News Reporter at a promotional event in Mumbai, shared his vision: ‘In a world obsessed with swipes and filters, this film is a love letter to the messy, beautiful chaos of real Indian relationships. Varun and Kiara’s chemistry is electric – it’s like they’ve been rom com partners in another life. ‘ The supporting cast, including Maniesh Paul as the bumbling wedding planner and Neena Gupta as Sunny’s no nonsense mother, adds layers of hilarity and heart.
October’s Theatrical Lineup: From Quirky Thrillers to Diwali Blockbusters
Sunny Sanskari isn’t the only show in town. Bollywood’s October calendar is a feast for cinephiles, packed with diverse genres to suit every mood. On October 10, Anshuman Jha’s directorial debut Lord Curzon Ki Haveli promises a Hitchcockian thrill ride. Starring Rasika Dugal and Arjun Mathur, this black comedy thriller, shot entirely in the UK, weaves suspense with sharp wit as a couple uncovers dark secrets in a haunted British manor. Early buzz from screenings hails Dugal’s nuanced performance as a standout, marking her return to lead roles post Mirzapur.
Come Diwali on October 21, the spotlight shifts to Thama, an action packed family saga directed by Siddharth Anand, reuniting him with Ayushmann Khurrana after Pathaan. Featuring Khurrana alongside Rashmika Mandanna, Paresh Rawal, and Nawazuddin Siddiqui, the film explores themes of legacy and revenge in a high stakes courtroom drama set against Rajasthan’s royal backdrop. Teaser glimpses of Khurrana’s intense avatar have fans drawing parallels to Andhadhun, while Mandanna’s glamorous yet gritty role is being touted as her big Bollywood breakthrough.
Clashing head on is Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat, a romantic thriller helmed by Milap Zaveri, starring Harshvardhan Rane and Sonam Bajwa. Releasing the same day, it promises steamy chemistry and plot twists that could rival Race in edge of the seat excitement. Wrapping up the month on October 31 is The Taj Story, a poignant social drama directed by Tushar Amrish Goel. Led by Paresh Rawal as a resilient lawyer fighting for justice in a tale inspired by real events, the film tackles themes of corruption and redemption, with Amruta Khanvilkar and Zakir Hussain in pivotal roles.
On the box office front, 2025 has been a rollercoaster. While Mahavatar Narsimha roared to Rs 300 325 crore worldwide earlier this year, mid budget gems like Sunny Sanskari are reminding audiences that content trumps spectacle every time.
OTT Wave: Mythology Meets Modern Thrills
For those preferring the couch over the cinema, OTT platforms are dishing out Bollywood flavored delights. Streaming from October 10 on Netflix, Kurukshetra reimagines the epic Mahabharata through the eyes of 18 warriors, blending stunning animation with profound explorations of duty and betrayal. Directed by a team of VFX wizards, it’s a visual spectacle that’s already generating Oscar buzz for its innovative storytelling.
Amazon MX Player’s Jamnapaar Season 2 dives deeper into the gritty underbelly of small town ambition, with Shanky (played by the enigmatic Pankaj Tripathi) grappling with power and morality. Meanwhile, Search: The Naina Murder Case, a taut crime thriller starring Surya Sharma, unravels societal secrets in a whodunit that’s perfect for late night binges. And for action junkies, War 2 featuring Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR streams on Netflix from October 9, delivering YRF’s signature espionage thrills with a pan Indian flair.
Shadows in the Spotlight: AI Deepfakes Spark Outrage
Amid the glamour, a storm is brewing. Following a Reuters exposé, hundreds of AI generated Bollywood videos some with explicit content featuring stars like Aishwarya Rai Bachchan have vanished from YouTube, amassing over 16 million views before their takedown. The report highlighted channels peddling ‘AI Bollywood love stories, ‘ prompting swift action from creators and the platform. Bollywood heavyweights, including the Filmfare Awards committee, are lobbying for stricter AI regulations to safeguard artists’ likenesses. As Neena Gupta voiced at FICCI Frames 2025, ‘Age bias is one thing, but deepfakes stealing our faces? That’s a line we can’t cross. ‘
In other gossip lanes, Gauri Khan’s birthday revelations about doubting Shah Rukh Khan’s Bollywood dreams ( ‘I thought it was rubbish!‘) have fans swooning over the couple’s enduring love story. Meanwhile, Bombay HC’s travel ban on Shilpa Shetty and Raj Kundra amid a Rs 60 crore fraud probe has tongues wagging.
