Kabaddi 5 draws strong box office numbers despite mixed reviews
The fifth Kabaddi film grossed over Rs 70 million in its first five days, its producers say, though audience reactions have been mixed and one review faulted its script.
The latest film in the popular Kabaddi franchise, 'Kabaddi 5: After the Final Match', has posted strong box office returns in its opening days, according to figures released by its producers. Directed by Rambabu Gurung, the film opened in cinemas on Friday, October 23, 2026.
Commercial performance
The film's gross collection passed Rs 70 million [7 crore] in its first five days, by Tuesday, October 27, according to the presenter Bansuri Films, Setopati reported. Earlier, Nagarik News reported a producer figure of Rs 52.4 million [5.24 crore] for the first three days. Both are the producers' own figures, covering different periods, and have not been independently verified.
The production team said the film was getting more than 300 shows across the country. Listings on Khalti and eSewa cited by Nagarik News gave it 294 shows nationwide on Sunday, against 104 for 'Aa Bata Aama 2', 87 for 'Chha Maya Chhapakkai 2' and 52 for '12 Gaun 2'.
QFX Cinemas, one of the country's major theatre chains, declared the film a 'superhit' on its third day. According to Nagarik News, the chain gives the label to a film that grosses Rs 15 million [1.5 crore] in its own halls within a week. The Film Development Board had said it would publish official box office details the following Monday.
Audience and critical reception
Setopati reported that audience response has been mixed: some viewers liked the story and its presentation, while others said the film fell short of their expectations.
Onlinekhabar's review, headlined 'If only the script were good too', credited the franchise with bringing original stories to Nepali cinema but found the writing wanting. The new film returns to Kaji, the character played by Dayahang Rai, with the parts of his story beyond the romance at the heart of the earlier films. The cast also includes Bipin Karki, Bijay Baral, Buddhi Tamang, Rishma Gurung, Srijana Gurung and Miruna Magar.