Gippy Grewal, known for his deep connection to Punjabi cinema and his passion for stories rooted in heritage and valor, made a bold and heartfelt decision when he announced that his film Akaal would be released not only in Punjabi but also in Hindi. This move, aimed at reaching a broader and more culturally diverse audience, reflected Grewal’s desire to take the lesser-known stories of Sikh heroism beyond linguistic and regional boundaries. Scheduled for a simultaneous release on April 10, the film was positioned as a tribute to the unyielding courage and sacrifices of Sikh warriors — tales that, Grewal believes, deserve national recognition.
With Akaal, the actor-director hoped to create more than just a film — his vision was to establish a cinematic bridge between Punjabi and Hindi-speaking audiences, fostering a shared appreciation for the resilience and bravery showcased in Sikh history. Grewal’s ambition has always extended beyond commercial success; he aspires to preserve cultural identity through art while creating a universal dialogue around it.
However, despite the film’s powerful message and Grewal’s heartfelt intent, Akaal has been facing a challenging journey at the box office since its release. After showing early signs of steady performance during its opening weekend, the film saw a sharp decline in its daily earnings as the first week drew to a close.
According to box office trackers, the seventh day marked a steep drop in revenue, with the film collecting approximately ₹29 lakh on Wednesday — a figure that reflected a 44% fall compared to its earnings on Tuesday, which had itself shown a 22% decline from the prior day. As of the end of its first week, Akaal has managed to accumulate a total collection of ₹5.22 crore.
The downturn in earnings has raised concerns for trade analysts and fans alike. Projections for the film’s performance on its eighth day, which also marks the second Thursday of its theatrical run, suggest another drop in collections. Current estimates hint that Akaal may struggle to even touch the ₹25 lakh mark for the day, with some expecting the figure to settle closer to ₹20 lakh.
As the film heads into its second weekend, the pressure is mounting on Akaal to push its cumulative box office total toward the ₹6 crore milestone — a target that, given the current trajectory, now looks uncertain. Industry watchers will be keeping a close eye on the weekend turnout, which could either breathe new life into the film’s financial fortunes or further confirm the trend of diminishing returns.
Despite these financial hurdles, Akaal continues to hold significance for its thematic core — a reminder of Sikh valor and sacrifice — and for Grewal’s commitment to bringing authentic cultural stories to the big screen. The actor-filmmaker’s decision to embrace a dual-language release was a testament to his belief in the universal relevance of these stories, even if the commercial response hasn’t matched the passion with which the film was created.
As the film’s box office journey unfolds, fans and supporters are still hopeful that Akaal will manage to find its audience, especially among history enthusiasts and those who appreciate culturally rich storytelling. Whether it ultimately achieves commercial success or not, the film has already carved out a place for itself as an important artistic attempt to honor the bravery of Sikh warriors while trying to bridge cinematic gaps between regional and mainstream Indian cinema.
