Source TOI
The highly anticipated romantic drama Chand Mera Dil, starring Ananya Panday and Lakshya, made its theatrical debut today amid minor logistical delays and an unexpected last-minute change to its runtime.
Despite considerable online buzz and a soulful soundtrack, early box office reports indicate that the movie is off to a quiet start. Trade data reveals that the film registered approximately ₹2 lakh net in Day 1 advance bookings, selling just over 32,000 tickets across major national cinema chains.
To combat the sluggish initial response and drive up opening-day footfalls, the makers have deployed an aggressive, audience-friendly pricing strategy. Tickets for all screenings nationwide before 5:00 PM today were capped at a flat rate of ₹149, with post-5:00 PM shows priced at ₹199. Industry insiders hope this model will encourage spot-bookings and student crowds over the weekend.
The CBFC Runtime Volley
Beyond its box office numbers, Chand Mera Dil has been making headlines for its unusual back-and-forth with the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).
The film was initially granted a U/A 16+ certificate on May 8, but only after the board ordered the removal of nearly 96 seconds of intimate scenes—specifically a 10-second kissing sequence and a separate 1-minute-26-second lip-lock sequence. This left the movie with an official runtime of 135.36 minutes (2 hours, 15 minutes).
However, in a surprise twist just days before the release, the filmmakers voluntarily approached the censor board again to present an extended cut. The team added 8 brand-new scenes back into the film, including a major sequence in the first half running close to four minutes. The CBFC cleared the new footage just in time, extending the final runtime by roughly 10 minutes to a total of 145.53 minutes (2 hours, 25 minutes).
This sudden revision reportedly forced theater programmers in major hubs like Mumbai to scramble and rewrite their show schedules at the eleventh hour, slightly delaying the opening of advance booking windows in select locations.
What Lies Ahead
Directed by Vivek Soni and backed by Dharma Productions, Chand Mera Dil promises a dark twist on modern relationships. The film marks Lakshya’s second major theatrical outing following his action-heavy debut in Kill, and serves as a fresh on-screen pairing with Ananya Panday.
With a relatively clear two-week window before major competition arrives in June, the film’s financial success will now rely entirely on audience word-of-mouth and evening spot-admissions.
