The YRF Spy Universe welcomed its first female-led chapter to theatres on Friday as Alpha finally arrived on the big screen. Carrying plenty of expectations before release, the Alia Bhatt and Sharvari starrer managed to register a respectable opening despite facing heavy online criticism in the days leading up to its release. While the film did not reach the kind of opening numbers associated with previous YRF spy titles, it still performed better than several notable releases this year and comfortably surpassed Alia Bhatt’s last theatrical outing.
Directed by Shiv Rawail in his feature film debut, Alpha marks another expansion of Yash Raj Films’ ambitious spy franchise. The action thriller also features Bobby Deol and Anil Kapoor in key roles, bringing together a cast that generated considerable curiosity among audiences long before advance bookings opened. Although audience response remains divided after the first day, the film has managed to put up a steady start at the worldwide box office.
Alpha opens with ₹16.10 crore worldwide on Day 1
According to early trade estimates from Sacnilk, Alpha collected an estimated ₹16.10 crore worldwide on its opening day. The film earned around ₹9.25 crore net from the Indian market, while its domestic gross reached approximately ₹11.10 crore. Overseas markets contributed another ₹5 crore, taking the worldwide total to ₹16.10 crore after the first day in theatres.
Across India, the film was screened in around 7,534 shows and recorded an overall occupancy of nearly 20 percent. While the opening is considered modest for a major franchise release, it still managed to outperform a few recent Hindi films. Alia Bhatt’s previous release Jigra had opened with ₹7.46 crore, while Mardaani 3 began its theatrical journey with around ₹7.30 crore worldwide earlier this year. Those comparisons indicate that Alpha has found a better initial footing despite the mixed conversation surrounding the film.
At the same time, the opening also marks the lowest first-day collection among films released under the YRF Spy Universe. Earlier entries from the franchise benefited from established male action heroes and significantly larger openings. Even so, the makers will now be hoping that positive word of mouth over the weekend can improve the film’s overall momentum, as Saturday and Sunday collections often decide the long-term theatrical performance of big-budget action entertainers.
Karan Johar backs Alpha as online criticism grows
Before the film reached cinemas, Alpha became one of the most discussed Hindi releases on social media. Several promotional materials received criticism online, and those reactions continued after the first public screenings. Amid the ongoing discussions, filmmaker Karan Johar stepped forward to publicly support the film and praised audiences for turning up despite the negativity circulating across social platforms.
Sharing a note on his Instagram Stories, Karan Johar wrote, “When footfalls are a challenge ALPHA takes a solid start! It emphasises many things … the audience is way above online negativity and they are the true warriors.”
He further added, “…. the stardom and theatrical pull and unquestionable talent of Alia Bhatt and the impact of a big screen spectacle is undebatable and that YRF has a continued franchise and an endeavour to create theatrical tentpole experiences that need our applause and not any toxicity! So please relax and celebrate that the cinemas are breathing!!! Go watch ALPHA and stop doom scrolling !!”
His remarks quickly attracted attention online as conversations around the film continued throughout its opening day. While reactions from critics and audiences have remained divided, Johar’s comments highlighted his belief that theatrical releases should be judged by audience turnout rather than online trends alone.
Story, cast and what comes next for Alpha
Alpha is produced by Aditya Chopra under the Yash Raj Films banner and is based on a story written by Uday Chopra. The film follows a highly trained assassin who grows up in complete isolation under the control of a rogue soldier. As hidden truths about her past begin to surface, she turns against the man who shaped her life, leading to an action-heavy confrontation filled with espionage and personal revenge.
The film brings together Alia Bhatt and Sharvari in lead roles, while Bobby Deol and Anil Kapoor play significant parts in the narrative. It also represents Shiv Rawail’s transition from directing streaming content to making his feature film debut on the big screen. Early reviews have been mixed to negative, with opinions divided over the screenplay, action sequences and emotional depth of the story.
The coming weekend will now play a major role in determining Alpha’s theatrical journey. Big-budget action films often depend on strong weekend growth after Friday, especially when audience reactions are varied. If family audiences and franchise fans continue to support the film over the next two days, the worldwide total could witness a healthy jump despite its relatively modest opening compared to earlier YRF spy titles.
