Box Office: Tough Competition For Ranveer Singh's Dhurandhar 2 In Telugu States, But Tougher For Ustaad Bhagat Singh
Hyderabad, March 7 – The Ranveer Singh-fronted Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge is gearing up for a massive theatrical release on March 19, coinciding with major festivals including Eid and Ugadi. However, the spy action thriller will face a significant challenge in the Telugu states due to the arrival of Pawan Kalyan's highly anticipated action entertainer Ustaad Bhagat Singh. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Originally scheduled for March 26, Ustaad Bhagat Singh was rescheduled to March 19 following the postponement of Yash's Toxic due to the military conflict in the Middle East. The move has set up a direct box office clash between the Telugu mass entertainer and the Bollywood sequel across India, particularly in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, where Pawan Kalyan enjoys enormous popularity. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) While Dhurandhar 2 is expected to perform strongly nationwide due to the success of its first part and its multi-language release strategy, the Telugu states could prove to be a tough market. The sequel is releasing in five languages, including Telugu, but competing against a local superstar-led film in the region will make screen allocation and audience pull more challenging. However, the competition may actually be tougher for Ustaad Bhagat Singh. Despite Pawan Kalyan's strong fan base in the Telugu states, Dhurandhar 2 carries significant pan-India appeal and strong pre-release buzz. Trade believes Dhurandhar 2's massive demand in Telugu states could attract urban multiplex audiences and neutral viewers there, especially if word-of-mouth turns positive. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) In addition, Dhurandhar 2 is expected to benefit from its large-scale action spectacle and franchise value after the first film's success, while its makers are reportedly planning paid premiere shows on March 18 to build early momentum. It is said that Ustaad Bhagat Singh is going for a ticket hike, and considering that, the Telugu media is cautioning the makers against it as they feel it will benefit Dhurandhar: The Revenge even more among the neutral audience. With both films targeting the same festive window, the March 19 weekend is shaping up to be one of the biggest box office clashes of 2026. The Telugu states will likely see intense competition between the two titles, but the real test will be how each film sustains its run after the opening weekend. Stay tuned...