BY CHRISTA LINCY

Ranveer Singh has achieved what very few stars in the Indian film industry can claim—sustained dominance even in its fifth week of release. Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge has officially entered its 31st day, and far from slowing down, the film is witnessing a noticeable spike in momentum. After holding steady through the weekdays, the Saturday numbers suggest that the Ranveer Singh-starrer is heading for a strong weekend revival, proving that the content has truly resonated with the long-term audience. The real-time tracking on BookMyShow provides the most accurate picture of this Saturday surge. During the 11 am to 12 pm window today, the film sold 5,940 tickets, a massive jump from the 3,400 tickets sold during the same slot yesterday. This momentum accelerated further in the next hour, peaking at 6,380 tickets between 12 pm and 1 pm. In total, the cumulative ticket sales from 8 am to 1 pm stand at approximately 23,380, which is a staggering 68 percent higher than the 13,900 tickets sold during the same period on Friday. This nearly 70 percent surge in morning velocity is a clear indicator of a massive weekend jump on the cards. The occupancy levels are also telling a very positive story for the fifth Saturday. The morning show occupancy today was recorded at 18.14 percent, which is a massive jump compared to the 7.83 percent recorded during the same period yesterday. This doubling of the morning occupancy rate is a clear indicator of the film's incredible legs at the box office. In the national cinema chains—PVR, INOX, and Cinepolis—the film has already sold approximately 25,000 tickets for the day. While the show count has naturally been reduced to 1,569 screenings to accommodate newer releases, the film is making the most of its limited footprint by recording significantly higher per-show collections and better filling rates across premium venues. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Looking at the overall standings, Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge concluded its 30th day with an India net total of 1,105.82 crore. The film has been a global phenomenon, with the worldwide gross collection currently standing at a mammoth 1,742.23 crore. Even on its fifth Friday, it managed to pull in 2.70 crore net, showing minimal fatigue. The overseas market has also remained a steady contributor, adding 0.85 crore on Friday to take the total international gross to 418.50 crore. These numbers place the film in the elite bracket of all-time Indian blockbusters. The target of 4.50 crore net is not just about a standard weekend jump; it is about chasing box office history. To understand the magnitude of this performance, let's look at the elite list of movies that currently hold the records for the highest 5th Saturday net collections in Hindi cinema history: Dhurandhar: ₹11.75 Cr Chaava: ₹7.25 Cr Stree 2: ₹5.40 Cr Mahavatar Narsimha: ₹5.00 Cr Uri: The Surgical Strike: ₹4.70 Cr Taking a closer look at the projections for Day 31, the film is heading for a significant leap in its daily collections. If we analyze the current trajectory using the 70 percent surge in morning ticket sales and the improved occupancy, a Saturday India net in the range of 4.25 to 4.50 crore seems highly likely. This would represent a growth of over 60 percent from Friday's 2.70 crore net. If the evening shows continue this momentum, the actuals could even push toward the 5 crore mark, which would be an extraordinary feat for a film in its fifth weekend. Ranveer Singh is officially steering this revenge saga toward a historical lifetime finish. With Dhurandhar 2 currently trending toward the 4.50 crore mark, it is knocking on the doors of the top 5 prestigious list. If the evening shows witness an even stronger push than the current 70 percent surge suggests, Ranveer Singh might just dethrone Uri to claim a spot among the top five highest 5th Saturday earners of all time, further cementing the film's status as a legendary blockbuster with unprecedented legs.

BY CHRISTA LINCY

Akshay Kumar has once again proven that the horror-comedy genre is his strongest playground. After a solid opening on Friday, his latest release Bhooth Bangla has witnessed a massive surge on its second day, showing the kind of growth that usually indicates a long theatrical run. The Saturday morning momentum suggests that the family audience has fully embraced this spooky ride, leading to a significant jump in ticket velocity across all major online platforms and national theater chains. When we look at the real-time data from BookMyShow, the trend is nothing short of exceptional. During the crucial 11 am to 12 pm window today, the film sold nearly 22,000 tickets, which is a massive leap compared to the 13,000 tickets sold during the same period yesterday. This represents a growth of over 60 percent in hourly momentum. If we look at the cumulative morning trend from 7 am to noon, the film has already crossed 62,000 tickets today, while yesterday the figure stood at around 38,000. This early morning traction is a clear sign that the film is not just holding its ground but is expanding its reach into the mass pockets. The peak performance on Saturday was recorded between 12 pm and 1 pm, where the hourly booking touched a high of 24,000 tickets. This rapid acceleration has pushed the total tickets booked on BookMyShow past the 500,000 mark. The buzz surrounding the film's ensemble cast and the direction by Priyadarshan is clearly working in its favor. While the morning occupancy on Friday was around 10.02% percent, it has jumped to nearly 14 percent today. This improvement in morning show occupancy is a strong lead indicator for how the evening and night shows will perform, especially with the weekend crowd stepping out. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) In the national theater chains—PVR, INOX, and Cinepolis—the growth story remains solid. After recording 76,000 ticket sales on its opening day including previews, the film has moved up to 85,000 tickets on Saturday. Interestingly, when we compare this to the trend of Akshay Kumar's previous hit Jolly LLB, the dynamics are quite different. While Jolly LLB saw an explosive jump from 40,000 to 81,000 tickets, doubling its numbers, Bhooth Bangla is operating on a much larger base. Even though it doesn't have the same percentage leap as the courtroom drama, it has managed to sustain its high opening momentum and still grow, ultimately edging past the Saturday numbers of Jolly LLB. This indicates that while the former relied on word-of-mouth for a big Day 2 surge, Bhooth Bangla started as a big-ticket event and is managing to build further on that massive volume. Taking a closer look at the projections for Day 2, the film is heading for a very healthy jump. If we analyze the trajectory using a standard box office multiplier, a 40 to 50 percent growth from Friday's 12.25 crore net seems highly likely. This would put the Saturday India net collections in the range of 17 to 19 crore.. Given that the morning shows are already outperforming the opening day by such a wide margin, it won't be a surprise if the actuals lean toward the higher side of this prediction. Akshay Kumar's horror-comedy is officially on track to deliver a massive opening weekend, resetting the box office dynamics for his upcoming slate.

BY CHRISTA LINCY

Superstar Rajinikanth is currently in a league of his own where he keeps resetting the benchmarks he once created. In a massive development that has sent ripples through the South Indian film industry, the digital rights for his upcoming mega-sequel Jailer 2 have been sold for a record-breaking price. According to an exclusive report by Lets Cinema, Amazon Prime Video has secured the post-theatrical streaming rights of this Sun Pictures production for a staggering 160 crore. This deal is not just a high point for Rajinikanth but stands as the biggest digital rights acquisition in the history of Tamil cinema. To understand the sheer magnitude of this deal, one has to look at how the market for the Superstar has exploded in just three years. Back in 2023, the original Jailer was picked up by the same platform for approximately 75 crore. Fast forward to his collaboration with Lokesh Kanagaraj for Coolie, the number jumped to 120 crore. Now, with Jailer 2, the value has touched 160 crore, marking a massive 113 percent growth from the first installment's digital price. This suggests that streaming giants now view the Jailer franchise as a goldmine that transcends regional boundaries, especially after the first part grossed over 600 crore worldwide. Jailer 2 has now officially pushed the boundaries of the Tamil film market, sitting comfortably at the top with its massive 160 crore deal. It has comfortably surpassed the previous records held by Thalapathy Vijay's Leo and Rajinikanth's own upcoming film Coolie, both of which were valued at approximately 120 crore. This shift also highlights the intense competition between streaming giants, as Amazon Prime Video reclaimed the crown from Netflix, which had previously made headlines with high-profile acquisitions like Leo and Kamal Haasan's Thug Life, the latter being pegged at around 110 crore. The jump is even more poetic when compared to the first installment of Jailer, which was picked up for a relatively modest 75 crore just two years ago, proving that the brand value of the Superstar is on an unprecedented upward trajectory. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The premium price tag comes from the fact that Sun Pictures is bringing back the entire winning combination that made the 2023 blockbuster a cultural phenomenon. Nelson Dilipkumar returns to the director's chair to expand the world of Tiger Muthuvel Pandian, while Anirudh Ravichander is set to compose the score. The cast is equally formidable, with Ramya Krishnan, Yogi Babu, and Vinayakan reprising their roles. Adding more fuel to the fire is the inclusion of S. J. Suryah in a pivotal role, along with the confirmed return of Mohanlal as Mathew and Shiva Rajkumar as Narasimha. While the financial side of the film is looking rock solid, there is a slight shift regarding its arrival on the big screen. Initially, there were reports suggesting a June 12 release, but the latest industry buzz indicates that the makers are now eyeing the Independence Day corridor in 2026. With principal photography having wrapped in April, Nelson is reportedly spending more time on the post-production and action recalibration to ensure the sequel matches the sky-high expectations. Releasing around August 13 or 14 would allow Jailer 2 to capitalize on the same holiday window that the original conquered so effortlessly. For Sun Pictures, this 160 crore deal is just one part of the recovery puzzle. With Tamil satellite rights expected to stay with Sun TV and separate packaging for Hindi and international dubbed rights, the film is likely to be in the profit zone before the first show even begins. It is clear that the ceiling for Tamil OTT deals has been permanently shattered, and as of now, the Superstar remains the undisputed king of the digital landscape.

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumabi, April 18 - A minor social media activity involving cricket legend Virat Kohli recently turned into a viral sensation after fans noticed that he had liked — and later unliked — an Instagram post of German influencer LizLaz. While the like disappeared quickly, screenshots had already spread across platforms, sparking widespread discussion and a flood of memes. The curiosity around the incident grew because Kohli does not follow LizLaz, and the interaction reportedly took place on an older post. As social media users dissected every detail, the moment quickly escalated beyond a simple "like," becoming one of the most talked-about online topics. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Breaking her silence, LizLaz responded with a calm and balanced perspective. She revealed that she was unaware of the like initially and only found out after receiving numerous messages. While she admitted feeling happy at first, she later said she felt "a bit sorry" for Kohli as the situation snowballed into an unnecessary controversy. "No, I felt a bit sorry for him, actually! I was so happy that he liked it, but then him unliking it, I felt a bit bad for him because I don't even know how it became such a big story. How did people notice, how did they make it news... that was probably not his intention behind it, but still I am grateful for it, and I appreciate the support from him", LizLaz said (via Hindustan Times). (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Interestingly, LizLaz is also a fan of Kohli and follows the Indian Premier League (IPL), particularly supporting the Royal Challengers Bengaluru. She has previously described Kohli as one of the most exciting players to watch, making the viral moment feel more like an unexpected fan interaction than anything serious. Funnily, Virat Kohli was in a similar situation last year, also when he accidentally liked one of the pictures of actress Avneet Kaur, and he later issued a clarification stating that it was non-intentional and happened due to the algorithm of Instagram. Ultimately, the episode highlights how even the smallest actions of global celebrities can become amplified in the digital age. Despite the noise, LizLaz’s composed reaction helped keep the situation light, turning what could have been a controversy into a fleeting and largely harmless viral moment. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) View this post on Instagram A post shared by LizLaz (@lizlaz_tv)

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, April 18 - Ranveer Singh-fronted Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge has climbed one more milestone at the global box office. The blockbuster has now surpassed the lifetime worldwide box office of Pushpa 2: The Rule to emerge as the third-highest-grossing Indian film of all time. It is produced by Jyoti Deshpande, Aditya Dhar and Lokesh Dhar under the banners of Jio Studios and B62 Studios. After a phenomenal theatrical run spanning weeks, Dhurandhar 2's worldwide gross has climbed to 1,742+ crore, overtaking Pushpa 2, which concluded its run at around 1,742 crore. The achievement comes on the back of sustained momentum in both domestic and overseas markets, after the monstrous opening week. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Strong Hold Across Markets The film has performed exceptionally well in India, where it has already crossed the 1,100 crore net mark, making it the highest-grossing Bollywood film in the country. Internationally too, Dhurandhar 2 has delivered outstanding numbers, contributing around 420 crores to the overall total. What makes this run even more remarkable is the film's consistency. Even in its later weeks, it has managed to draw audiences to theatres, aided by positive word-of-mouth and repeat viewership. With this milestone, Dhurandhar 2 now stands behind only two films in the all-time global rankings (including all markets). (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Top Indian Grossers Worldwide Without Gulf & China S. No. Movie Total Worldwide Gross 1 Dangal ₹ 2070 Cr 2 Baahubali 2 ₹ 1788 Cr 3 Dhurandhar 2 ₹ 1742+ Cr 4 Pushpa 2 ₹ 1742 Cr As of April 17, 2026. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) A Landmark Moment For Bollywood The success of Dhurandhar 2 is being seen as a significant boost for Bollywood on the global stage. Not only has it outperformed several big-ticket releases, but it has also proven the massive overseas potential of Hindi cinema without depending heavily on select international territories. In fact, it is the highest-grossing Indian film overseas, if excluding China. The film's scale, mass appeal, conviction to tell the original story, and star power have all contributed to its historic run, with Ranveer Singh delivering one of the biggest successes of his career. While Dangal remains far ahead at the top, the next immediate target for Dhurandhar 2 is Baahubali 2: The Conclusion. With a gap of around 45 crore, the film still has an outside chance of climbing to the second position, depending on how long it can sustain its run in theatres. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Highlight of Dhurandhar 2's Box Office Run - The first film ever to cross 1000 crore net in a single language in India - The highest-grossing Indian film of all time without China. - Places Dhurandhar among the biggest global film brands from India - Only Indian film series to have two titles in the 1000 crores club - Highest-grossing Indian film overseas without China. - The first Indian film series to cross 3000 crores worldwide (Dhurandhar and Dhurandhar 2).

BY CHRISTA LINCY

The Indian box office on April 17, 2026, has turned into a fascinating case study of two different kinds of stardom. While the industry is laser-focused on the grand reunion of Akshay Kumar and Priyadarshan with Bhooth Bangla, the long-running behemoth Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge is refusing to fade into the background. In what can only be described as a display of incredible theatrical legs, the Ranveer Singh starrer is actually recording a spike in ticket sales on its 30th day compared to its 29th day, despite losing more than half of its showcasing to the new horror-comedy release. The most striking piece of data from today is the show count shift. On Day 29, Dhurandhar 2 was running across a healthy 8,654 shows. Today, with the arrival of Bhooth Bangla, that number has plummeted to 4,162 shows. This marks the first time in the film's month-long journey that its show count has dipped below the 5,000 mark. However, the logic of the box office has been turned on its head. Usually, a 50 per cent cut in screens leads to a massive drop in ticket sales, but for Dhurandhar 2, the occupancy has surged so sharply that it is actually selling more tickets per hour than it did yesterday with double the screens. Looking at the BookMyShow (BMS) hourly trends, the resilience of the spy actioner is evident. In the prime 8-9 pm window today, Dhurandhar 2 sold 4,520 tickets compared to 3,190 tickets in the same slot yesterday. Similar spikes were seen in the 7-8 pm window (4,090 today vs 2,770 yesterday) and the 6-7 pm slot (3,310 today vs 2,700 yesterday). By 9 pm, the total tickets sold for the day reached 42,530, which is higher than yesterday’s 42,360. This suggests that the audience which was previously spread across 8,600 shows is now consolidating into the available 4,100 shows, leading to packed houses and high-intensity collections for a film in its fifth week. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) On the other side of the spectrum, Bhooth Bangla is operating on a different level of mass momentum. Being its opening day, the film is naturally the primary driver of the market, running across a massive 11,881 shows. The horror-comedy has been consistently selling over 13,000 to 16,000 tickets every hour on BMS. In the 8-9 pm window alone, the Akshay Kumar starrer sold 16,580 tickets, bringing its total tally from 7 am to 9 pm to a staggering 1,70,550 tickets. This is a testament to the 16-year anticipation for the Akshay-Priyadarshan duo, which has successfully captured the multiplex audience and the mass belts simultaneously. The contrast between the two films provides a healthy outlook for the 2026 box office. Bhooth Bangla is thriving on the fresh buzz and the brand power of its director-actor duo, while Dhurandhar 2 is thriving on its established legacy and repeat value. While the new release has dominated the volume of tickets, the older film has maintained its relevance by offering high occupancy in its limited screens. For the trade, this indicates that the market is currently big enough to accommodate a massive new opener without completely killing off a blockbuster holdover. As we head into the late-night shows, the momentum for both films remains strong, promising a record-shattering weekend for the industry. BMS Hourly Ticket Sales Comparison - April 17TIME SLOTBHOOTH BANGLA (DAY 1)DHURANDHAR 2 (DAY 30)5:00 PM - 6:00 PM13,5703,190 (vs 2,880 Yest)6:00 PM - 7:00 PM15,2803,310 (vs 2,700 Yest)7:00 PM - 8:00 PM16,5604,090 (vs 2,770 Yest)8:00 PM - 9:00 PM16,5804,520 (vs 3,190 Yest)Total (Till 9 PM)1,70,55042,530

BY CHRISTA LINCY

Today, April 17, 2026, marks more than just a theatrical release; it is the culmination of a 16-year-long wait that has turned a simple actor-director reunion into a massive cultural phenomenon. The return of the Akshay Kumar and Priyadarshan duo with Bhooth Bangla has proven that in the modern box office landscape, nostalgia is the ultimate force multiplier. This unprecedented surge in advance bookings isn't merely about the popular horror-comedy genre—it is the direct result of a decade-and-a-half hiatus that has transformed the quirky brand of humor from the Bhool Bhulaiyaa and Khatta Meetha era into a legendary legacy. This pent-up demand has successfully bridged a generational gap, bringing the 2000s nostalgia audience and the 2026 multiplex crowd together for what is already looking like a historic return to form. The first sign of this being a special run came from the paid previews on Thursday evening. While the trade was conservatively estimating a collection in the range of ₹2.50-3 Crore, Bhooth Bangla comfortably surpassed those expectations by netting approximately ₹3.35 Crore to ₹3.75 Crore. This over-performance was largely due to surprisingly high spot bookings, a trend that typically doesn't happen for preview shows. It indicates that the early critics' reactions and the positive buzz surrounding the horror-comedy genre have successfully convinced the neutral audience to hit the theaters. For a non-holiday release, these preview numbers have set a very strong foundation for the opening weekend. As of 5:45 PM today, the live data for the first Friday shows a collection of ₹5.03 Crore net. When combined with the paid preview business, the total India net collection for Bhooth Bangla currently stands at ₹8.53 Crore. The film is playing across a massive 8,127 shows, which is one of the widest releases for Akshay Kumar in recent years with over 4,800 screens nationwide. Regionally, West Bengal is leading the charts with a solid 26 per cent occupancy in initial counts, followed by strong movements in Maharashtra and Delhi-NCR. With the evening and night shows showing a monumental jump in bookings, the trade is now eyeing an opening day in the range of ₹15 Crore net, which would be a fantastic result for this genre. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) A deep dive into the numbers reveals just how much the market has expanded since their last collaboration. When Bhool Bhulaiyaa released in 2007, its 1,050-screen count was considered a massive release, eventually netting over ₹49 Crore—a benchmark for profitable screen utilization that remains legendary. By 2010, Khatta Meetha had pushed that footprint to 1,450 screens, dominating the Maharashtra and CP Berar single-screen belts. Fast forward to 2026, and Bhooth Bangla is operating on a different plane altogether, boasting more than double the screens of Khatta Meetha with a staggering 4,800+ screens nationwide. This massive expansion, fueled by over 1.7 lakh tickets in pre-sales alone, proves that the Akshay-Priyadarshan brand has successfully moved from being a mass-belt favorite to a pan-India juggernaut. Akshay Kumar's Top BMS Pre-Sales (Tickets Sold): • Housefull 5: 185K • Bhooth Bangla: 170K •Welcome To The Jungle: 142K •Sooryavanshi: 135K (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) This digital momentum on BookMyShow is specifically historic as it makes Bhooth Bangla the second-highest pre-seller for an Akshay Kumar starrer. A staggering 117K of these tickets were sold in the final 24 hours alone, indicating a massive FOMO effect among fans. Throughout the day, the film has been clipping along at a rate of 14,000 to 15,000 tickets per hour. This level of engagement on a working Friday suggests that the family audience is planning to turn up in big numbers for the late-night and weekend shows. The PVR-Inox chain has also reported over 25,000 ticket sales, further solidifying its multiplex grip. The strategy of late-night Paid Previews starting at 9 PM on April 16 further highlights this nostalgia-demand. These previews alone netted approximately ₹3.50 Crore, which is nearly half of what Khatta Meetha's entire first Friday collection was back in 2010. Interestingly, the regional stronghold has also shifted significantly over the years. While the duo was historically a monster in the Maharashtra and CP Berar single-screen markets, Bhooth Bangla is showing its strongest early momentum in Gujarat and Delhi-NCR. Gujarat, in particular, is recording the highest gross in early reports, indicating that the urban-premium audience is now just as hungry for this brand of comedy as the single-screen masses. Looking back at the duo's historical benchmarks, the evolution of their box office power is evident. Bhool Bhulaiyaa had opened to ₹3.88 Crore back in 2007, while Khatta Meetha netted ₹7.05 Crore on its first Friday in 2010. While the Average Ticket Price (ATP) in 2026 is significantly higher, the sheer volume of 8.53 Crore in early evening reports shows that the reach of this reunion is far greater. Bhooth Bangla is currently tracking for a healthy opening that validates Akshay Kumar's credibility in the horror-comedy space. If the current word-of-mouth holds steady, we are looking at a potential blockbuster that will dominate the box office for weeks to come, especially as it begins to snatch screens from the long-running holdovers.

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, April 17 - Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar's Bhooth Bangla is looking at a good opening at the domestic box office amid growing interest among audiences. After the better-than-expected paid previews of 3.50+ crores net, the horror comedy is seeing a good turnaround on its first full-fledged release day. Bhooth Bangla Eyes 15 Crore Net Opening (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Directed by Priyadarshan, the horror-comedy is looking to score around 12 crores net on its pure opening day, which is a good result. Akshay's last film, Jolly LLB 3, opened to 12.50 crores net, but that was a franchise movie, and here, Bhooth Bangla is the original title, and that makes the opening look even better on paper. Including the paid previews, the film should be able to post 15+ crores net opening day, and with initial word of mouth seems to be positive, this sets the movie up for a good first weekend at the domestic box office. Jolly LLB 3 delivered 53.50 crores net opening weekend, and the latest horror comedy will be aiming to clock around it. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Bhooth Bangla Eyes Top 3 Opening Day For Akshay Kumar In Post Covid-Era In the post-pandemic era, it has been a mixed bag for Akshay Kumar when it comes to the box office results. Only two films of the actor have opened above 20 crores net in the form of Sooryavanshi and Housefull 5. While Bhooth Bangla is not going to be open in the 20 crore range, it will surely be aiming for the top 3 spot among the biggest openers of Akshay in recent times. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Top 5 Opening Day Hindi Net Grossers of Akshay Kumar (Post-Pandemic) S. No. Movie Release Year Hindi Net Opening 1 Sooryavanshi 2021 ₹ 26.29 Cr 2 Housefull 5 2025 ₹ 24.00 Cr 3 Bade Miyan Chote Miyan 2024 ₹ 15.50 Cr 4 Ram Setu 2022 ₹ 15.20 Cr 5 Bachchhan Paandey 2022 ₹ 13.25 Cr

BY CHRISTA LINCY

LIK: Love Insurance Kompany has officially completed its first week at the box office, showcasing a journey that has been a mix of a strong start followed by a noticeable stabilization. On its seventh day, which was the first Thursday, the film collected a net of ₹2.44 Cr across 3,368 shows. This represents a healthy recovery from its Wednesday low of ₹1.95 Cr, indicating that the urban audience in the Tamil and Telugu belts is providing the necessary support to keep the film afloat as it enters its second week. The total India net collection currently stands at ₹34.04 Cr, with the India gross reaching ₹39.32 Cr. While the domestic numbers are fair, the overseas performance of LIK is where the trade is seeing the most significant signs of a slowdown. The film has grossed a total of ₹10.60 Cr internationally so far. Analyzing the day-wise movement, it is clear that the project was heavily front-loaded. It earned about ₹2 Cr on its opening Friday and surged to ₹9.30 Cr by the end of its first Sunday. However, the weekdays saw a steep decline, with only about ₹1.30 Cr being added over the subsequent four days. In the North American circuit, the film has managed to collect $247k as of Wednesday, a figure that is respectable but far from the record-shattering numbers the trade has come to expect from a Pradeep Ranganathan project. To put this performance into perspective, one must look at Pradeep's previous outings in 2025. His February release, Dragon, remains the gold standard for his appeal, having achieved a massive ₹88.40 Cr worldwide in its opening week. In comparison, LIK's ₹49.92 Cr total means it is trailing behind Dragon by a massive 43 per cent globally. Similarly, his Diwali release, Dude, was in a different league altogether, where the worldwide gross had already reached ₹66.17 Cr by its fourth day. These comparisons indicate that LIK is facing a much steeper uphill climb; with a high production budget of ₹60 crore and mixed word of mouth affecting organic growth, the film is yet to be declared a success. Unlike his earlier blockbusters, the lack of unanimous praise has prevented the kind of weekday momentum needed to bridge the gap between its current collections and the breakeven mark. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The language-wise breakdown reveals that the Tamil version continues to be the primary engine, contributing ₹26.82 Cr to the total India net. The Telugu version has also made a solid impact, chipping in with ₹7.22 Cr. The overall worldwide gross currently stands at ₹49.92 Cr, just shy of the ₹50 Cr milestone. As we head into the second weekend, the focus will be on whether the film can recapture its initial surge or if it will continue its low-level crawl. With the worldwide total being dominated by the domestic share of nearly 78 per cent, the dependency on the home market has never been higher for this Vigesh Shivan directorial. Here is the day-wise breakdown at the Indian box office (net collection): • Day 1: ₹ 7.05 crore • Day 2: ₹ 7.95 crore • Day 3: ₹ 7.50 crore • Day 4: ₹ 3.00 crore • Day 5: ₹ 4.15 crore • Day 6: ₹ 1.95 crore • Day 7: ₹ 2.44 crore • Total Week 1 Net: ₹ 34.04 crore LIK: Love Insurance Kompany Week 1 SummaryCATEGORYCOLLECTION AMOUNTIndia Net Collection₹ 34.04 CrIndia Gross Collection₹ 39.32 CrOverseas Gross Collection₹ 10.60 Cr ($ 247k from North America)Total Worldwide Gross₹ 49.92 Cr

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, April 17 - Bollywood superstar Ranbir Kapoor is currently going through what industry experts call the "Golden Phase" of his career. Following the historic box office success of Animal (2023), the actor has strategically chosen a lineup that balances grandeur with gritty action and high-concept drama. While it may have been over 2 years since Ranbir has had a release after Animal, the next few years will probably see at least one film of the actor hitting the big screens. Here is a deep dive into Ranbir Kapoor's films that will define Indian cinema over the next three years. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) 1. Ramayana Parts 1 & 2 Director Nitesh Tiwari is currently helming what is arguably the most ambitious project in Indian cinematic history. Ranbir Kapoor steps into the role of Lord Ram, a performance that reportedly required months of physical transformation and vocal training, which is reflected in the first look teaser, though it doesn't have any dialogue. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The scale of this production is unprecedented, and the makers gave a glimpse of that by launching the first look teaser recently, after earlier showing the vision. The ensemble cast is equally legendary, featuring Sai Pallavi as Sita, Yash as Ravana, and Sunny Deol as Hanuman. Part 1 is scheduled for a grand Diwali 2026 release, with Part 2 following exactly a year later. 2. Love & War (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) In a massive casting coup, filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali has reunited Ranbir Kapoor with Alia Bhatt and Vicky Kaushal for a period romantic war drama, Love & War. This marks Ranbir's first collaboration with Bhansali since his debut in Saawariya (2007). Unlike Bhansali’s recent period pieces, this film is described as a "contemporary war-backed romance." With a release date locked for January 21, 2027, after being postponed multiple times, the film is expected to dominate the Republic Day holiday window with its blend of intense emotion and visual splendour. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) 3. Animal Park Sandeep Reddy Vanga's action thriller Animal was a polarising juggernaut, and its sequel, Animal Park, is already one of the most searched upcoming titles. Ranbir will expand his role, playing both the protagonist Ranvijay and the menacing antagonist Aziz. The script is currently being finalised, with filming expected to commence once Vanga completes his project Spirit with superstar Prabhas. Fans should expect an even darker, more visceral exploration of the family's violent legacy sometime in late 2028. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) 4. Dhoom 4 Perhaps the most surprising addition to his roster is the reboot of the Dhoom franchise. While there is no official confirmation yet, Ranbir is set to take over the mantle of the sophisticated "anti-hero" in Dhoom 4. The film aims to modernise the heist-action genre for a global audience. The shooting timeline is yet unknown, but if all goes well, the film may hit the big screens in 2028. 5. Brahmāstra: Part Two – Dev (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Amid the uncertainty over its future, Ramayana producer Nitesh Tiwari recently confirmed that he will take care of Brahmastra 2 after Ramayana. The first film was produced by Dharma Productions and Star Studios. Except for the fact that the movie is on, there is no concrete development in it yet. Director Ayan Mukerji is currently busy with scripting, and if things go as planned, the movie might go on floors next year for a 2028 or 2029 release.

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, April 17 - CinemaCon 2026 turned into a spectacle for Hollywood fans as major studios unveiled massive updates on some of the industry's biggest franchises. From Marvel's next Avengers epic to the return of Top Gun, and a strategic re-release of Endgame, the event was packed with headline-making announcements. Avengers: Doomsday – MCU's Next Big Chapter Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige took the stage to a standing ovation to unveil the first trailer for Avengers: Doomsday, set for release on December 18, 2026. Despite the rumours making the rounds of release date shifting, Marvel cleared that the film will be released as scheduled, meaning clashing with Warner Bros.' Dune 3 on the same date. This could lead to one of the collective weekends in box office history. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The first trailer footage teased the arrival of Robert Downey Jr.'s Doctor Doom, the most formidable foe the Avengers have faced yet. "Something's coming, something we may not be able to deter," said Patrick Stewart's Professor Xavier. (according to Deadline). The trailer then introduced Chris Hemsworth's Thor, who said that to stop Doctor Doom, they need a miracle, and that miracle may be Chris Evans' Captain America, who returns for the first time since Avengers: Endgame in 2019. Apart from Doctor Doom, Thor, Captain America, and X-Men, other Marvel characters introduced in the trailer are Shang-Chi (Simu Liu), Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh) and the Thunderbolts, Namor (Tenoch Huerta) and the Black Panthers, Gambit (Channing Tatum), the Fantastic Four and Magneto (Ian McKellen), among others. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Revisiting the Finale: Avengers: Endgame Returns As was already announced, Disney announced a global theatrical re-release of Avengers: Endgame starting September 25, 2026. This is not a standard encore; the studio is calling it the "Infinity Vision" cut. This version will feature never-before-seen footage integrated into the film, reportedly providing more context on the "five-year gap" and the Multiversal consequences that lead directly into the events of the upcoming Avengers films. The news comes as part of the announcement of Infinity Vision, a new certification for premium large format (PLF) theatres. Disney said that Infinity Vision will "signify to audiences which auditoriums offer the biggest, brightest, and most immersive cinematic experiences." The focus is on the largest screens for maximum scale, laser projection for superior brightness and clarity, and premium audio formats for fully immersive sound. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Back to the Danger Zone: Top Gun 3 Confirmed Not to be outdone, Paramount Pictures closed its presentation with the news fans have been waiting for since 2022 - Top Gun 3 is officially cleared for takeoff. While Maverick was once thought to be a perfect swan song, producer Jerry Bruckheimer confirmed that a script is currently in development that finds a "necessary and high-stakes" reason for Tom Cruise's Pete Mitchell to return to the cockpit. Stay tuned...

BY CHRISTA LINCY

The makers of Sanjay Leela Bhansali's much-awaited film, Love & War, have officially locked its theatrical release date. Starring Ranbir Kapoor, Vicky Kaushal, and Alia Bhatt, the film is set to hit cinemas on Thursday, January 21, 2027. By picking a Thursday release, the production is looking to capitalize on a massive six-day extended holiday window, as Republic Day falls on the following Tuesday, January 26. The film will release in three languages, including Hindi, Telugu, and Tamil, aiming for a wide pan-India reach during the holiday period. While the date is now fixed, the production is currently navigating a few scheduling hurdles. Reports suggest that the film is about 40 days behind its original schedule, with roughly 10 per cent of the filming still pending. This includes the crucial climax sequence which is yet to be canned. The delay is largely attributed to Bhansali's meticulous working style and the intricate visual effects requirements. Since the story features 1960s-period aesthetics and significant aerial action sequences, the makers want to ensure a lengthy post-production phase to maintain high-quality VFX standards. Another major factor for the January 2027 date is the conflict in actor schedules. Ranbir Kapoor is currently involved in the filming of Ramayana: Part 2, while Vicky Kaushal is preparing for his next project, Mahavatar. This new release window also provides a comfortable gap between Love & War and Ranbir's other big-budget project, Ramayana: Part 1, which is scheduled for a Diwali 2026 release. To keep the look of the film under wraps, the production has enforced a very strict policy on set, including NDAs for over 500 crew members and a total ban on mobile phones during the shoot. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The plot is rumored to be an epic love triangle set against a war-torn backdrop, with many drawing comparisons to the 1964 classic Sangam. Industry insiders describe the relationship between Ranbir Kapoor and Vicky Kaushal’s characters as a clash of fire and ice. Both play Indian Armed Forces officers, with Ranbir's character reportedly having aggressive and slightly negative shades, while Vicky plays a more subdued yet opinionated officer. The conflict arises as both best friends fall for the same woman, played by Alia Bhatt. Interestingly, Alia has already completed her emotionally heavy portions of the film. This project marks the first time that Ranbir, Alia, and Vicky will share the screen together, making it one of the most anticipated casting combinations in recent years. It also marks a significant reunion for Ranbir Kapoor and Sanjay Leela Bhansali, who last worked together on Ranbir's debut film, Saawariya, in 2007. While the initial budget was planned at ₹250 crore, the current estimates suggest it has surged to approximately ₹350–380 crore due to the extended shoot days and the grand scale of the production.