The much-awaited Jolly LLB 3, starring Akshay Kumar and Arshad Warsi, finally hit the big screen this Friday, but the film’s journey began with a rather cautious start. Despite strong brand recall from its earlier installments, the opening day collection stood at around ₹11.5 crore, a figure that signals a double-digit entry yet falls short of the fireworks many trade experts were expecting.
The franchise has always enjoyed a loyal audience, and the presence of Akshay Kumar alongside Arshad Warsi was expected to give the film an extra boost. However, early reports suggest that word-of-mouth and critical reviews will play a pivotal role in determining whether this legal satire turns into a box office blockbuster or fizzles out after the initial curiosity.
A Slow but Respectable Start
Trade analysts had predicted that Jolly LLB 3 could easily breach the ₹15 crore mark on its opening day, given the star power involved. The actual numbers, however, tell a slightly different story. While the urban multiplexes saw healthy occupancy, single-screen theaters and smaller towns did not register the same enthusiasm. Industry insiders believe that the film’s courtroom-heavy narrative and serious undertones around farmer struggles may not have instantly connected with the wider family audience that typically drives mass collections.
One Mumbai-based distributor shared, “Akshay and Arshad bring credibility and comic timing, but this time the subject is a bit heavy. People were expecting more humor, less politics. It might take a couple of days for audiences to settle into the rhythm of the film.”
Critical Reception: A Potent Courtroom Drama
While the box office figures appear modest, the reviews paint a different picture. The Hindu’s review called it a “potent courtroom drama” that highlights the plight of farmers while blending satire and social commentary. Critics have praised Subhash Kapoor’s direction for balancing entertainment with a deeper message.
Akshay Kumar’s performance has been described as “restrained yet impactful,” while Arshad Warsi once again shines as the witty yet flawed lawyer who grounds the film in realism. Actress Tisca Chopra also garnered praise for her powerful role, with some even calling her performance “worth every last rupee of the ticket price.”
Audience Reaction: Divided but Engaged
Social media reactions suggest that audiences are split. Some viewers are applauding the film for its bold storytelling, claiming that it goes beyond the superficial comedy associated with Bollywood courtroom dramas. Others, however, feel the narrative could have included more light-hearted moments to justify the “LLB” brand.
A Delhi college student tweeted, “Loved the way Jolly LLB 3 handled the farmers’ issue. It felt relevant and real, not just Bollywood drama.” On the flip side, a viewer from Lucknow posted, “Expected more laughs. It felt too serious for a Jolly LLB film. Arshad carried the humor, but Akshay was too stiff.”
What This Means for the Box Office
Looking at the weekend ahead, trade experts suggest that Saturday and Sunday will be crucial for the film’s fate. If family audiences warm up to the narrative and positive word-of-mouth spreads, the film could see a 20–25% growth in collections. Otherwise, it risks facing a steep drop after the first week, especially with upcoming competition from other Bollywood releases and the cricket season dominating television.
The film also carries weight internationally, with diaspora audiences in the US, UK, and Middle East showing a decent turnout on day one. Overseas earnings are expected to add another ₹4–5 crore to the tally.
The Legacy of Jolly LLB
It’s worth remembering that neither of the earlier films in the franchise opened to gigantic numbers. Instead, they relied on solid storytelling and strong reviews to build momentum. Jolly LLB (2013) started small but became a sleeper hit. Jolly LLB 2 (2017) with Akshay Kumar expanded the scale and earned big in the long run.
Following that tradition, Jolly LLB 3 may not be a record-shattering opener, but its future rests on whether audiences resonate with its combination of satire, courtroom drama, and social message.
Final Word
For now, Jolly LLB 3 stands at a crossroads. It has star power, critical acclaim, and a socially relevant theme, but whether it transforms into a long-running hit depends on sustained audience interest. If the weekend growth materializes, the film could be on track to cross ₹100 crore in the coming weeks. Otherwise, it might just be remembered as a bold but uneven addition to Bollywood’s courtroom sagas.