The box office on March 19 is shaping up to be one of the most exciting battles of the year. Two big films from different corners of Indian cinema — Pawan Kalyan’s Ustaad Bhagat Singh and Ranveer Singh’s spy thriller Dhurandhar: The Revenge — are set to arrive in theatres on the same day.
While fans are already debating which film will dominate the weekend, Ustaad Bhagat Singh director Harish Shankar has taken a calm and respectful approach to the situation, choosing appreciation over competition.
Harish Shankar Praises ‘Dhurandhar’ Director Aditya Dhar
In a recent conversation with Gulte.com, Harish Shankar addressed the much-talked-about box office clash between the two films. Rather than viewing it as a rivalry, the filmmaker spoke highly of Dhurandhar: The Revenge director Aditya Dhar.
Harish described Dhar as a powerful and influential filmmaker whose work commands attention in the industry. According to him, comparing the two films directly does not make much sense because they belong to completely different cinematic spaces.
The director also made it clear that release date decisions are largely handled by producers and distributors, not the filmmaker himself. As a result, he does not see the situation as a competitive battle between the two projects.
From Solo Release to a Major Box Office Clash
Interestingly, Dhurandhar: The Revenge was originally expected to face another big opponent. The Ranveer Singh starrer was initially scheduled to release alongside Yash’s Toxic: A Fairytale For Grown-Ups.
However, due to the ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and resulting market uncertainty, the makers of Toxic decided to postpone their film’s release to June. That decision briefly gave Dhurandhar a clear run at the box office.
But the calm didn’t last long.
Shortly after the postponement announcement, the makers of Ustaad Bhagat Singh moved their release forward, setting up an unexpected face-off with the spy action drama.
What ‘Ustaad Bhagat Singh’ Is About
Ustaad Bhagat Singh marks the reunion of director Harish Shankar and Pawan Kalyan after their blockbuster collaboration Gabbar Singh, which remains one of the biggest commercial hits in Telugu cinema.
The story revolves around a young tribal boy whose life is shaped by his teacher, who names him Bhagat Singh and instills strong moral values in him. As he grows older, the boy transforms into a fearless man who refuses to bow down to injustice and powerful adversaries.
Pawan Kalyan leads the film, with Sreeleela and Raashii Khanna playing the female leads. The film also features an ensemble supporting cast including R. Parthiban, Ashutosh Rana, Gautami, Naga Mahesh, Temper Vamsi, and Avinash.
With Pawan Kalyan’s strong fan base and Harish Shankar’s commercial filmmaking style, the film is expected to generate major excitement across Telugu-speaking regions.
Early Advance Sales Show a Gap
While the clash is generating attention, early overseas booking numbers show that Dhurandhar: The Revenge currently holds a strong lead.
Advance sales in North America for the Ranveer Singh starrer have been surging rapidly, with early projections indicating a massive opening weekend.
In comparison, Ustaad Bhagat Singh has had a slower start in the US market so far. Early reports suggest the film has sold around 2,280 tickets, generating roughly $62,000 in advance bookings. However, industry watchers believe the numbers could rise once more showtimes open and promotions intensify.
The Story Continues in ‘Dhurandhar: The Revenge’
On the other side of the clash, Dhurandhar: The Revenge continues the story of Indian spy Jaspreet Singh Rangi, also known as Hamza Ali Mazari.
Following the events of the 2025 blockbuster Dhurandhar, the sequel explores how Hamza rises to become the powerful “King of Lyari” after eliminating the notorious criminal Rehman Dakait. The story then follows his mission to strike back against forces responsible for destabilizing India.
Directed by Aditya Dhar, the action-packed sequel stars Ranveer Singh alongside Sanjay Dutt, R. Madhavan, Arjun Rampal, Danish Pandor, Rakesh Bedi, and Sara Arjun.
Final Words
Box office clashes are nothing new in Indian cinema, but the March 19 showdown between Ustaad Bhagat Singh and Dhurandhar: The Revenge adds an interesting twist to the upcoming release calendar. While the two films target different audiences and regions, both carry strong fan expectations.
For now, director Harish Shankar seems content letting audiences decide the outcome. Rather than framing it as a rivalry, he views the situation as two very different films sharing the same stage — leaving the real verdict to the viewers when both hit theatres.
