Before its first show has even begun, Dhurandhar 2 has already recorded the kind of number that defines a release year. The sequel has crossed 50 crore gross in day-one advance bookings at the Indian box office, according to trade estimates, and it has done so even with record paid premieres in the mix. That pre-release momentum extends the franchise’s strong theatrical run and gives the film an early benchmark that no remaining 2026 release is expected to match.
Why advance bookings matter
Advance bookings are not simply early revenue. They are the first hard, comparable signal of audience demand in a release cycle. For exhibitors, a large pre-sales number shapes screen allocation, show count and the opening-day ceiling. For readers who follow the business of Hindi cinema, the 50 crore+ figure turns abstract pre-release buzz into a concrete mark—one that later releases will be judged against through the rest of the year.
The challengers, by the numbers
- Ramayana: around 24 crore gross in day-one advance bookings at the time of reporting, with a final projection of 32-37 crore—well short of Dhurandhar 2.
- King: strong trailer buzz could push opening-day pre-sales toward the 40 crore mark, but 50 crore is considered very tough.
- 2027 slate: Golmaal 5, Love & War and Chauhaan could mount a challenge next year, depending on trailers and pre-release buzz.
Why the record is likely to hold
Ramayana was widely treated as the strongest candidate to overtake the number. The film, headlined by Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi and Yash, is the most expensive Indian film to date, and its epic scale made towering pre-sales feel plausible. Early advance bookings, however, have not scaled to match the sequel’s pace. King, the other major 2026 release, has promotional assets that are connecting with audiences, yet trade estimates still leave a gap of roughly 10 crore to the record.
The pre-sales signal
Opening-day pre-sales have become the first reliable test of a big film’s commercial temperature. A figure of this size does not guarantee a blockbuster total, but it lowers the risk for the first weekend and gives the film a stronger negotiating position with exhibitors. In that sense, Dhurandhar 2’s advance figure is a statement about the franchise’s audience base as much as about the sequel itself.
The caveat is word of mouth. If Ramayana opens well, a future instalment could challenge the all-time pre-sales mark. For now, Dhurandhar 2’s day-one advance figure looks safe through the end of 2026. The films most likely to test it—Golmaal 5, Love & War and Chauhaan—arrive only next year.
Source: Koimoi
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