With just hours to go before its grand release, Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge has already started behaving less like a film and more like a full-blown cinematic event. What began as strong buzz has now exploded into unprecedented ticket demand, pushing theatres across India into overdrive mode — with some even running shows past midnight and into the early morning hours.
The Ranveer Singh-led spy thriller is not just trending — it’s rewriting how big releases function in the country.
A Frenzy at the Ticket Windows Before Release Day
Even before hitting screens, the film has sold nearly 15 lakh tickets in India alone, with a massive chunk coming from paid preview screenings. That momentum has translated into staggering numbers, with preview collections touching around ₹35 crore — comfortably beating previous records set by major releases like OG.
What’s even more remarkable is the global picture. The film has already crossed ₹125 crore in worldwide advance booking, including a historic $5 million pre-sales figure in North America — something no Indian film has achieved before release.
Simply put, Dhurandhar 2 has already secured a blockbuster opening — and it hasn’t even premiered yet.
Theatres Go Into Overdrive With Midnight Shows
The film’s nearly four-hour runtime has created an unusual challenge for exhibitors. With limited slots available per screen, theatre owners have been forced to think beyond traditional schedules.
The solution? Extend the day.
Across cities like Mumbai, Thane, and Ahmedabad, cinemas have begun scheduling post-midnight and early-morning shows, some starting as late as 1:50 AM. Multiplex chains are working with tight turnaround windows of nearly 4 hours and 40 minutes per screening, factoring in trailers, interval breaks, and cleaning time.
While this kind of round-the-clock programming is rare in Indian cinema, the demand for Dhurandhar 2 has made it necessary. Reports suggest more cities in West and South India are preparing to adopt similar schedules.
Even DDLJ Makes Way — A Rare Shift at Maratha Mandir
Perhaps the clearest sign of the film’s impact is unfolding at Mumbai’s iconic Maratha Mandir.
For nearly three decades, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge has held its 11:30 AM slot without interruption — a tradition in Indian cinema. But now, even that legacy has been adjusted. To accommodate Dhurandhar 2, the Shah Rukh Khan classic has been pushed to an earlier time slot.
It’s a small scheduling change, but symbolically massive — showing just how dominant this new release has become even before day one.
A Sequel Riding on a Massive Legacy
Directed by Aditya Dhar, the film sees Ranveer Singh stepping back into the role of an Indian spy operating in Karachi, promising a bigger, darker, and more intense narrative.
The ensemble cast adds serious weight, featuring R Madhavan, Arjun Rampal, Sanjay Dutt, Sara Arjun, and Rakesh Bedi. There’s also buzz around Akshaye Khanna making a cameo appearance, reprising his role from the first film.
And that first film? It was nothing short of a phenomenon.
The original Dhurandhar reportedly crossed ₹1300 crore worldwide and continues to run in select theatres months after release — a rare feat in itself.
Can It Break All-Time Records?
Trade experts are already looking beyond opening numbers. With the kind of advance booking the film has achieved, expectations are sky-high.
There is growing belief in industry circles that Dhurandhar 2 could potentially cross ₹2000 crore globally, putting it in direct competition with all-time record holders like Dangal.
Of course, everything now depends on audience reception — especially given the film’s long runtime and high expectations.
Final Words
At this point, Dhurandhar 2 isn’t just another sequel — it’s shaping up to be a defining moment for Indian box office culture. From midnight screenings to record-breaking pre-sales, the film has already made history before its first show even begins.
Now, all eyes are on March 19. Because if the content delivers even half of what the hype promises, this could easily become one of the biggest cinematic milestones India has ever seen.
