The Indian box office witnessed a mixed Friday as new releases such as Hoppers, Mrithyunjay, and Charak: Fair of Faith arrived in theatres on March 6, 2026. Meanwhile, the already running The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond managed to maintain a steady hold at the box office despite facing competition from the new releases.

Here is a detailed look at how these films performed on Friday, March 6, 2026.

The Kerala Story 2 Box Office Collection (Day 8)

The controversial sequel The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond continued its theatrical run with a steady performance. On Day 8, the film earned ₹2.50 crore, taking its total India collection to ₹25.40 crore.

The film recorded an overall Hindi occupancy of 11.71% on Friday. While the numbers are moderate, the movie has managed to sustain audience interest due to ongoing discussions and debates surrounding its subject matter.

Directed by Kamakhya Narayan Singh, the film stars Aditi Bhatia, Ulka Gupta, and Aishwarya Ojha in the lead roles. The film explores sensitive socio-political themes, which has contributed to both its publicity and controversy.

Hoppers Box Office Collection (Day 1)

The Hollywood animated adventure Hoppers made its debut in Indian theatres on March 6 but registered a slow opening.

Directed by Daniel Chong, the film collected ₹0.55 crore on its first day across all languages in India.

The movie recorded an overall English occupancy of 8.77% on Friday. Show-wise occupancy was:

• Morning shows: 3.95%
• Afternoon shows: 7.23%
• Evening shows: 8.09%
• Night shows: 15.79% (highest)

The animated film features voice performances by Piper Curda, Bobby Moynihan, Jon Hamm, Kathy Najimy, and Dave Franco among others.

The film is expected to see improved collections over the weekend, particularly from family audiences and children.

Mrithyunjay Box Office Collection (Day 1)

The Telugu thriller Mrithyunjay also opened in theatres on Friday but started its run with modest earnings.

According to industry tracker Sacnilk, the film collected ₹75 lakh on its opening day.

It recorded an overall Telugu occupancy of 19.85%, which is slightly better compared to other new releases but still below expectations for a regional thriller.

Directed by Hussain Sha Kiran, the film stars Sree Vishnu and Reba Monica John in the lead roles.

The story revolves around a young crime reporter who begins investigating a series of mysterious accidents. As he digs deeper, he suspects that the incidents may actually be carefully planned murders, setting the stage for a gripping investigative thriller.

Charak: Fair of Faith Box Office Collection (Day 1)

The Hindi thriller drama Charak: Fair of Faith had the weakest opening among the new releases.

The film collected ₹10 lakh on Day 1 with an overall Hindi occupancy of 5.38%, indicating a slow start at the box office.

Directed by Amarnath Jha and Shiladitya Moulik, the film explores the dark side of a traditional ritual that demands extreme physical endurance and devotion from its followers.

The film features Anjali Patil, Sahidur Rahaman, Subrat Dutta, and Shashi Bhushan in key roles.

Box Office Summary

Overall, Friday, March 6, delivered mixed results at the Indian box office:

• The Kerala Story 2 maintained a steady hold despite competition.
• Hoppers and Mrithyunjay opened modestly and will rely on weekend growth.
• Charak: Fair of Faith had a slow start and faces an uphill battle.

The Saturday and Sunday collections will be crucial in determining whether the new releases can gain momentum and challenge the hold of The Kerala Story 2 at the box office.

Priyanka Chopra Jonas is set to represent India on one of the biggest global entertainment stages as she joins the list of presenters for the 98th Academy Awards. The announcement was made by Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on Friday, revealing that the global star will share presenting duties with Hollywood heavyweights including Robert Downey Jr. and Anne Hathaway.

The news quickly generated excitement among fans across the world, as Chopra continues to strengthen her presence in international cinema and global award ceremonies.

Star-studded presenter lineup announced

The Academy revealed the list of presenters through its official social media platforms, confirming that several prominent actors and filmmakers will appear on stage during the ceremony. Priyanka Chopra also reposted the announcement on her social media accounts, captioning it simply with: “The 2026 Academy Awards.”

The update triggered an outpouring of congratulatory messages from fans and celebrities alike. Indian comedian Zakir Khan congratulated the actor, writing that she is an inspiration for many. Fans also celebrated the announcement, calling the presenter lineup “iconic” and expressing excitement for the ceremony.

A return to the Oscars stage

This will not be the first time Priyanka Chopra has been part of the Oscars ceremony. The actor previously appeared as a presenter during the 88th Academy Awards in 2016, where she shared the stage with several Hollywood stars.

Over the years, Chopra has established herself as a global entertainment figure, transitioning successfully from Bollywood to international projects, including Hollywood films and streaming series. She has also worked on multiple global productions, including the upcoming film The Bluff, which has generated strong anticipation among audiences.

Oscars 2026 nominations and leading contenders

The nominations for the 98th Academy Awards were announced earlier this year on January 22, 2026, by actors Danielle Brooks and Lewis Pullman.

Among the nominees, the film Sinners has emerged as the biggest contender this year, leading the race with 16 nominations across 24 categories—a record-breaking achievement for the awards season. The film is widely expected to dominate several major categories, making it one of the most closely watched titles of the ceremony.

When and where to watch Oscars 2026 in India

The 98th Academy Awards will take place on March 15, 2026, at the iconic Dolby Theatre. The ceremony will be broadcast live in the United States on ABC and streamed online via Hulu.

For viewers in India, the event will be available on March 16, 2026, starting at 5:30 AM IST, allowing fans to watch the glamour, awards, and memorable moments from Hollywood’s biggest night.

With Priyanka Chopra returning to the Oscars stage, Indian audiences will have yet another reason to tune in to the prestigious ceremony.

The much-talked-about sequel The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond completed four days at the box office on March 2, 2026. Released on February 27 amid considerable debate and controversy, the crime drama faced its first major weekday hurdle — the all-important Monday test.

In box office terms, Monday collections are considered a key indicator of a film’s long-term sustainability. A sharp drop after the weekend often signals trouble, while a steady hold suggests positive word-of-mouth.

So, did The Kerala Story 2 manage to stay strong?

📊 Monday Box Office Collection (Day 4)

According to early estimates by industry tracker Sacnilk:

• Sunday (Day 3): ₹4.25 crore
• Monday (Day 4): ₹2.65 crore
• Total India Collection (4 days): ₹12.80 crore

The film witnessed a noticeable dip of nearly 38% from Sunday to Monday, indicating that it struggled to maintain weekend momentum.

Occupancy Breakdown (Monday – Hindi version)

• Overall occupancy: 7.46%
• Afternoon shows: 8.65% (highest)
• Evening shows: 7.45%
• Morning shows: 6.29%

While the afternoon numbers showed moderate engagement, overall occupancy remained under 10%, which is considered low for a film aiming for a strong theatrical run.

📈 Opening Weekend Performance

Despite a slow opening on Friday (reportedly collecting in lakhs), the film saw a sharp jump on Saturday:

• Saturday (Day 2): ₹4.65 crore
• Sunday (Day 3): ₹4.25 crore

The weekend spike suggested initial curiosity and possibly controversy-driven footfall. However, the Monday dip indicates that the film may be relying heavily on weekend audiences rather than sustained weekday traction.

🎬 About the Film

Directed by Kamakhya Narayan Singh, the film serves as a sequel to the 2023 controversial hit The Kerala Story.

Cast Includes:

• Ulka Gupta
• Aditi Bhatia
• Aishwarya Ojha
• Sumit Gahlawat
• Arjan Singh Aujla
• Yuktam Khosla

The film is produced by Vipul Amrutlal Shah under Sunshine Pictures Limited, with lyrics penned by Manoj Muntashir.

📉 Has It Passed the Monday Test?

Technically, a drop under 40% from Sunday is considered acceptable for many films. However, given the relatively modest Sunday base of ₹4.25 crore, the fall to ₹2.65 crore suggests that the film has not demonstrated exceptional weekday strength.

For a film banking on controversy and franchise recall value, stronger Monday numbers would have indicated solid word-of-mouth.

At ₹12.80 crore in four days, the film now faces a critical weekday phase. Its long-term prospects will depend on:

• Stability from Tuesday to Thursday
• Growth over the second weekend
• Competition from upcoming releases

🎯 What Happens Next?

If collections stabilize above ₹2 crore on weekdays, the film could aim for a ₹25–30 crore lifetime run. However, any further sharp dip may restrict its box office potential.

The exact Monday figures will be officially updated on March 3, 2026.

For now, The Kerala Story 2 has shown moderate performance — but whether it sustains momentum remains to be seen.