Will the Clash of Maa and Nikita Roy Be Impacted by Sitaare Zameen Par’s Spillover?

 The simultaneous release of Maa and Nikita Roy on June 27, 2025, both supernatural thrillers, raises concerns about their box office prospects due to audience overlap. Compounding this is the potential spillover effect from Sitaare Zameen Par, a sports comedy-drama starring Aamir Khan, released a week earlier on June 20, 2025. This clash could significantly influence the performance of all three films.

Maa, featuring Kajol, has generated significant pre-release buzz with 42.1K BookMyShow interests, capitalizing on its unique mythological horror narrative within the Shaitaan universe. Nikita Roy, starring Sonakshi Sinha and Paresh Rawal, leads with 66.6K interests, its psychological thriller angle offering a distinct and intriguing appeal. However, Sitaare Zameen Par has already proven a box office juggernaut, earning ₹82.4 crore net in India by day 6, with a strong weekend haul of ₹57.3 crore and sustained weekday performance (e.g., ₹8.5 crore on Monday). Its positive word-of-mouth and urban multiplex dominance could continue to draw audiences, siphoning viewership from Maa and Nikita Roy.

The shared horror-thriller audience for Maa and Nikita Roy risks being split, with Maa projected to open at ₹5 crore and Nikita Roy at ₹20–25 lakh, already modest figures. The ongoing success of Sitaare Zameen Par, with 50.7% Hindi occupancy on its third day, may further dilute footfall, especially in urban centers where it outperforms competitors like Housefull 5 (₹24 crore opening). The crowded release window, including Housefull 5’s lingering presence, intensifies competition, raising concerns about the potential impact of Sitaare Zameen Par's success.

While Maa benefits from Kajol’s star power and Nikita Roy from its unique premise, Sitaare Zameen Par’s emotional resonance and critical acclaim (e.g., 3.5/5 from India Today) could overshadow both. Sonakshi Sinha called the clash a “healthy competition,” but historical clashes suggest one film often dominates unless differentiated by strong reviews. This underscores the critical importance of content quality and sustained buzz to counter Sitaare Zameen Par's impact.