"Housefull 5," the latest installment in the popular comedy franchise, has experienced a significant drop in its box office collections during its third week in theaters. After a strong start, the film's momentum has slowed considerably, with collections for the week estimated to be around ₹12.50 crore. This decline is attributed to a combination of factors, including competition from new releases and mixed word-of-mouth.

The movie, starring Akshay Kumar and featuring an ensemble cast, had a decent run at the box office. In its first week, "Housefull 5" stormed the box office, raking in ₹112.85 crore. The second week saw a drop, but the film still managed to collect a respectable ₹35.72 crore. However, the third week witnessed a sharp decline, with the film struggling to maintain its momentum. On its third Monday, the film collected less than ₹1 crore net, signaling a significant downturn.

Several factors contributed to the film's underwhelming performance in its third week. One major reason was the release of Aamir Khan's "Sitaare Zameen Par," which drew a significant portion of the audience away from "Housefull 5." The comedy caper, directed by Tarun Mansukhani, met with mixed word-of-mouth, which affected its box office potential massively. Furthermore, the film being released in two versions may have also impacted its overall business.

Despite the drop in collections, "Housefull 5" has managed to achieve a decent total at the box office. As of its third Thursday, the film had collected approximately ₹178.65 crore net in India. The lifetime collection is expected to touch the ₹180 crore net mark, but it is unlikely to go much beyond that. With a reported budget of ₹225 crore, "Housefull 5" faced a steep recovery path. However, with approximately ₹162 crore net in India after three weeks, the film has placed itself in commercial success territory. Trade analysts believe that the sale of digital, satellite, and overseas rights will help bridge the remaining gap, classifying the film as an average success.

Interestingly, "Housefull 5" performed better in certain regions, such as Delhi/UP and East Punjab, where it is expected to surpass the numbers of "Housefull 4." This is notable because comedy films traditionally perform less well in these circuits. Some speculate that the film's less straightforward comedic approach may have resonated better with audiences in the North, while it may have been a drawback in Mumbai/Gujarat.

In conclusion, "Housefull 5" has experienced a significant drop in its box office collections during its third week, collecting approximately ₹12.50 crore. While the film has achieved a decent total and is expected to be an average success, its performance has been affected by competition from new releases and mixed word-of-mouth.