Actress‑producer Huma Qureshi says the action thriller Baby Do Die Do is riding a wave of word‑of‑mouth buzz, drawing packed theatres across India and now expanding to France and the UK.
Word‑of‑mouth drives box‑office buzz
The film’s surprise rise has left the cast and crew buzzing. "It feels very surreal. I don't think when we set out to make this film, we imagined it would become what it has become today," Huma told Filmfare, adding that the response still feels unreal. She noted that for the past two weeks the entire cast has been travelling from city to city, living out of suitcases and meeting audiences in theatres – a first for her, as promotion usually ends with a quick return home.
Even with a modest marketing spend and a limited release, the movie caught fire quickly. "We didn't have a huge marketing budget and we knew the release would be limited because the calendar was packed," she explained. From the opening Friday, calls started pouring in, and word‑of‑mouth turned early morning shows of about 50 to 60 people into evening houseful screenings. By the third week the film remains in theatres, a sign of its staying power.
Huma also highlighted the film’s overseas momentum. New territories such as France and the United Kingdom have opened up for the movie, something the team never originally planned. She called this expansion "the cherry on top" and said it underscores how audience love can push a film beyond its initial borders.
Production journey and future prospects
Beyond acting, Huma has taken on a producer role alongside her brother Saqib Saleem under the banner Saleem Siblings. The duo, described as first‑generation producers, chose to back the project themselves, aiming to shape the film exactly as they envisioned. "As first‑generation producers, we wanted to back ourselves and make the film exactly the way we wanted," she said, emphasizing the independence that guided their decisions.
She also reflected on industry expectations, noting that the market often measures success by hitting a ₹100 crore benchmark in the opening days. "Unfortunately, we live in a culture where if you're not a ₹100 crore film in the first few days, people question your success," Huma observed, urging a shift toward valuing organic growth and audience‑driven momentum.
Looking ahead, Huma remains optimistic about the film’s impact on how success is gauged. She praised other projects like Main Vaapas Aaunga for proving that word‑of‑mouth can lift a film, and she hopes Baby Do Die Do will inspire more women‑led stories to find their audiences without relying solely on massive opening numbers.
Frequently asked questions
Which overseas markets is Baby Do Die Do expanding to?
The film has opened in France and the United Kingdom, marking its first expansion beyond India.
How did Baby Do Die Do achieve its box‑office success?
Through strong word‑of‑mouth buzz that turned modest early shows of 50‑60 people into full‑house evening screenings.
What role did Huma Qureshi play in the production of Baby Do Die Do?
Huma Qureshi acted as the lead actress and also co‑produced the film under the Saleem Siblings banner with her brother Saqib Saleem.
Why does Huma Qureshi criticize the ₹100 crore benchmark?
She argues that the industry over‑emphasises opening‑day earnings, urging a shift toward valuing organic, audience‑driven growth.
