03 October,2026 01:36 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Anne Hathaway and Dakota Johnson. Pics via YouTube
Anne Hathaway and Dakota Johnson's psychological thriller Verity has opened in Indian theatres, but the film has had a relatively modest start at the box office. Directed by Michael Showalter, the adaptation of Colleen Hoover's bestselling novel arrived on October 2, bringing together Hathaway, Johnson and Josh Hartnett in the lead roles.
Despite the popularity of the book and the attention around its casting, Verity registered an estimated Rs 1.89 crore net in India on its opening day, according to Sacnilk. Its India gross collection stood at around Rs 2.12 crore. The film's reported worldwide gross was also Rs 2.12 crore at the time of the figures, with a separate overseas breakdown not available.
The opening gives Verity a relatively quiet start in the Indian market. The film's theatrical performance will also depend on how it fares in international territories, particularly given its Hollywood production scale.
Verity reportedly carries a budget of around USD 40 million, making its initial India haul a small portion of the film's overall production cost. However, its theatrical run is still in its early stages, and overseas collections will be an important part of determining its broader box-office performance.
The film has also generated attention because of its lead cast. Anne Hathaway plays the titular author, while Johnson takes on the role of Lowen Ashleigh, with Hartnett portraying Jeremy Crawford.
Based on Hoover's novel, Verity follows struggling writer Lowen Ashleigh, who receives an unusual assignment from Jeremy Crawford, the husband of bestselling author Verity Crawford.
Verity is unable to continue writing after suffering a serious injury, prompting Jeremy to bring Lowen in to finish the remaining books in his wife's successful series. Lowen moves into the Crawford family home to study Verity's work and prepare to take over the writing.
However, her stay takes an unsettling turn when she comes across a disturbing manuscript containing revelations that appear to expose secrets surrounding the Crawford family. As Lowen becomes increasingly drawn into the household, the line between Verity's writing and reality begins to blur.
The film marks another major release for Hathaway in an unusually busy 2026. She has already appeared in five movies this year and has now disappeared to go on her maternity break. For Johnson, Verity adds another high-profile thriller to her recent filmography.
With its opening weekend now underway, the film's subsequent collections will determine whether word of mouth can help push its theatrical run beyond its modest Day 1 start in India.
