Vishwak Sen's 'Cult' Debuts: Mixed Reviews, Modest Box Office

Vishwak Sen's directorial debut, 'Cult', was released in theatres on Friday, October 31, 2026. The action slasher and psychological thriller received a mixed-to-positive response from audiences, managing a modest opening at the box office. On its first day, the film averaged around Rs 7,661 per show, recording over Rs 95 lakh across 1,240 shows in India.

The worldwide gross for 'Cult' reached Rs 1.30 crore, with approximately Rs 20 lakh earned from overseas markets. The film experienced an overall theatre occupancy of 19.82% on its opening day. Its domestic collections were primarily driven by Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, contributing Rs 1 crore.

'Cult' entered a competitive release landscape, facing off against 'Aadarsha Kutumbam - House No. 47'. The latter, a family entertainer, reportedly collected Rs 16.65 crore worldwide on its opening day. Both Telugu films were released during the festive season, adding to the box office challenge.

The cast of 'Cult' features Gayatri Bharadwaj in the female lead role, with Tarak Ponnappa in a significant part. The film also boasts a supporting cast including Murali Sharma and Srikanth Iyengar, among others. Popular technicians like music composer Ravi Basrur ('KGF', 'Salaar') and dialogue writer Tharun Bhascker are also part of the film's crew.