Imran Khan’s long awaited return to Bollywood with ‘Happy Patel Khatarnak Jasoos’ has met a dismal box-office fate on its January 16, 2026 debut. Early estimates peg the opening day haul at a mere ₹42 lakhs by evening, with occupancy said to be scraping lows of six to nine per cent across shows. The spy comedy, backed by Aamir Khan and co starring Vir Das and Mona Singh, failed to spark audience interest despite hype around Khan’s decade long hiatus.
Real time trackers report morning shows apparently at 6.44 per cent and afternoon at 8.62 per cent, far below expectations for a high profile comeback vehicle. The film’s light hearted take on a bumbling detective chasing corporate secrets drew poor reviews for outdated humour and weak scripting. Khan’s performance could not salvage the project amid stiff competition from Hollywood heavyweights like ’28 Years Later’.
This flop echoes Imran Khan’s past track record, where films like ‘Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai Dobaara!’ and ‘Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola’ underperformed despite star power. His last lead role in ‘Katti Batti’ seven years ago also bombed, prompting his sabbatical from acting after the flop. Industry observers note the challenge of re establishing in a scenario dominated by mass entertainers.
Produced on a modest budget, ‘Happy Patel’ now eyes quick shifts to digital platforms to recoup costs. Imran Khan, who prioritised family during his break, faces renewed questions on his big screen viability. The underwhelming start dims prospects for immediate follow up projects.
