Filmmaker Karan Johar says watching Tu Yaa Main was such a nerve-racking experience that he jokingly needed “an extra dose” of his blood pressure medication afterward.
Taking to social media, Johar described Tu Yaa Main as a “traumatizing (in the best way possible)” survival thriller that kept him on edge, especially through the second half. “No cardio needed! You will physically jump out of your seats,” he wrote, adding that swimming pools would “never be the same” for him again.
Encouraging audiences to watch the film with their partners on Valentine’s Day, Johar said viewers might find themselves clutching each other in fear. “I am still stressed, and the film got over 30 minutes ago,” he added, humorously imagining a crocodile appearing in the middle of Mumbai traffic.
Directed by Bejoy Nambiar, the survival drama stars Shanaya Kapoor and Adarsh Gourav in lead roles. Johar praised Nambiar’s technical craft and ability to sustain tension throughout the film. He also commended Kapoor for what he called a confident and convincing performance, applauding her portrayal of a glamorous yet vulnerable influencer. Gourav, Johar wrote, was “just brilliant,” saying he felt “every inch” of the character’s fear.
The film is backed by producers including Aanand L Rai and Vinod Bhanushali, both of whom Johar congratulated while calling the movie a “must-watch in cinemas.”
According to early estimates from trade tracker Sacnilk, the film earned $68,675 net on its opening day in India. It reportedly had 1,239 shows nationwide and recorded an average occupancy of about 6 per cent. While the numbers remained under $120,480, the opening surpassed the day-one figures of the lead actors’ previous theatrical releases.
Kapoor’s last film, Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan, opened to $36,145 on its first day in 2025, while Gourav’s coming-of-age drama Superboys of Malegaon collected $60,240 on its debut day.
In Tu Yaa Main, Kapoor plays Avani, a social media influencer known as “Miss Vanity,” while Gourav portrays Maruti, also called Aala Flowpara. The story follows the pair on a romantic getaway that turns into a nightmare when they become trapped in a swimming pool with a crocodile, setting off a tense fight for survival.
