Patna: The postponement of Toxic has cleared the way for Dhurandhar 2 to secure a solo release on March 19, fuelling industry speculation that the sequel could dominate the box office on its opening day.
The two films had been slated for a high-profile clash, with Toxic, starring Yash, originally set to open alongside Dhurandhar 2. On 4 March, however, the makers of Toxic announced that the film would now be released in June 2026, citing the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and concerns about reaching global audiences. In a statement, the producers said they wanted to ensure viewers worldwide would not miss the film due to geopolitical disruptions.
The decision is widely seen as advantageous for Dhurandhar 2, fronted by Ranveer Singh, which will now enjoy an uncontested release window. Trade analyst Taran Adarsh noted on social media that the sequel would benefit from a solo opening and invited predictions for its first-day takings.
Estimates from industry watchers and fans vary widely. Some project that the Hindi version alone could earn around Rs 60-80 crore on its first day, while others suggest combined domestic and overseas figures might push the worldwide opening to between Rs 160 crore and Rs 170 crore. More optimistic forecasts have gone even higher, though such projections remain speculative ahead of advance bookings.
The original Dhurandhar, released on December 5, emerged as a major commercial success, bolstered by performances from Singh as Hamza Ali, Akshaye Khanna as Rehman Dacoit and Sanjay Dutt as Chaudhary Aslam. The sequel is expected to expand the narrative, introducing the much-referenced character Bade Saheb, with reports linking the role to Salman Khan or Emraan Hashmi, though no official casting has been confirmed.
Additional cast members include Sara Ali Khan, Rakesh Bedi, R. Madhavan and Arjun Rampal. Khanna is also expected to appear in flashback sequences despite his character’s death in the first instalment.
Directed by Aditya Dhar, the sequel’s teaser – running 1 minute and 48 seconds – received an A certificate from India’s Central Board of Film Certification last month. Reports suggest the film could have a runtime of 235 minutes, though the producers have yet to confirm this.
With its chief competitor stepping aside, all eyes are now on whether Dhurandhar 2 can translate heightened anticipation into a record-breaking opening.
