BY SUNIT JANGIR

Chennai, May 16 - After a series of underperformances, Tamil superstar Suriya seems to have come back in the game with action drama Karuppu. The film has had its struggles to hit the big screens. It was supposed to be released on May 14, but the financial issues forced the makers to cancel the shows for the entire day, and it eventually hit the big screens on May 15. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The film's advance booking was disrupted due to the last-minute changes. Before the film was pushed to May 15, Karuppu had sold over 500K tickets in advance for May 14. This, as said, eventually became worthless once the film was pushed back by a day, as advance tickets sold for May 15 were around 75K. However, the delay in the release amplified the buzz as Karuppu was all in its glory on the release day. It sold 700K tickets on BookMyShow for both Tamil and Telugu versions on May 15 only, making it the fourth highest Tamil film, and highest ever for a Suriya starrer, in terms of ticket sales on BMS on the release day. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Karuppu's hourly BMS ticket sales peaked at 46.2K, which is again a record for the Singham star. There is no denying that the cancellation of the original day 1 fueled the massive response on the BooMyShow, but the numbers are still huge for an actor who hasn't had a success in recent times. Meanwhile, superstar Rajinikanth's Jailer is the number one film in terms of BMS ticket sales on the release day with 1 million tickets. Thalapathy Vijay's Leo is the second in the list with 756K tickets sold, followed by Rajinikanth's Coolie with 715K tickets. With 700K tickets, Suriya is now officially in the league of Tamil cinema giants. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Top 5 Tamil Films By Day 1 BookMyShow Ticket Sales S. No. Movie Lead Actor Day 1 BMS Ticket Sales (Tamil) 1 Jailer Rajinikanth 1M 2 Leo Vijay 756K 3 Coolie Rajinikanth 715K 4 Karuppu Suriya 700K 5 The GOAT Vijay 584K Data via Filmy View/X*

BY CHRISTA LINCY

There is something incredibly nostalgic about watching a pair return to the screen after a long gap, and in the case of Suriya and Trisha Krishnan, that gap has spanned over two decades. Their latest collaboration in Karuppu is not just another theatrical release; it is a celebration of a journey that began in the early 2000s. For many moviegoers, seeing these two together again is a reminder of why they were once considered the quintessential face of modern Tamil romance. From the quiet streets of Mounam Pesiyadhe to the gritty landscape of Karuppu, their dynamic has evolved from youthful chase to seasoned partnership. To understand the depth of this pairing, we have to go back to where it all began in 2002 with Mounam Pesiyadhe. This was a landmark film for several reasons—it was the debut of director Ameer and marked Trisha's first lead role. At the time, the film operated on a modest budget of approximately 1.5 crore, but it went on to collect nearly 9.2 crore worldwide, earning a Superhit verdict. The chemistry was built on the Opposites Attract template, with Suriya playing the cynical Goutham and Trisha as the bubbly Sandhya. It established the famous eye-contact chemistry where their silence often spoke louder than words, a trait that became their trademark. Here is a look at their historical collaborations and how their lifetime numbers compare to the massive start of their latest outing: Suriya & Trisha Box Office Journey: Comparing Past Hits With Karuppu's Record Opening Day MOVIE NAME APPROX. WW LIFETIME GROSS Mounam Pesiyadhe(2002) ₹ 9.20 Cr Aayutha Ezhuthu(2004) ₹ 11.00 Cr Aaru(2005) ₹ 12.50 Cr Karuppu(2026) ₹ 18.00 Cr India Gross (Day 1) (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The duo then moved into what many call their Intellectual Phase with Mani Ratnam's Aayutha Ezhuthu in 2004. Here, Suriya's Michael Vasanth and Trisha's Geetha felt like equals. They were urban, modern, and their romance was rooted in mutual respect rather than typical tropes. While the hyperlink narrative was experimental for its time and faced some challenges in rural markets, it was a solid hit with an approximate worldwide gross of 11 crore against a 5 crore budget. To this day, the beach argument and the proposal scene remain some of the most realistic portrayals of young love in Tamil cinema. By 2005, they transitioned into the high-octane commercial space with Aaru. This was a classic Beauty and the Beast dynamic, where Trisha's character acted as the moral compass for Suriya's unrefined street thug. Aaru was a significant commercial success, grossing approximately 12 crore worldwide. It was particularly strong in Tamil Nadu, where it earned around 11 crore in that state alone. Interestingly, Suriya's character in Aaru was named Saravanan—which is the actor's real birth name—and Karuppu brings this full circle by using the same name for his character once again. Fast forward to 2026, and Karuppu presents us with the Modern and Gritty version of this pair. Moving away from traditional romance, they function as a formidable power couple. Suriya plays a vigilante caught in a moral gray area, while Trisha portrays a sharp professional who acts as his strategist. Unlike her recent special appearances or limited roles in other big-ticket films, her role in Karuppu is a full-fledged lead. Their partnership here mirrors the intense, grounded energy found in Suriya's recent successes like Jai Bhim, focusing on shared trauma and a common goal to take down a corrupt system. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Director RJ Balaji has clearly made this film with a fan-boy's heart, packing it with nostalgic Easter eggs. He intentionally recreated the famous watermelon scene from Ghajini to introduce that original style to Gen-Z audiences. There is also a courtroom callback that reminds viewers of Jai Bhim, but with the added intellectual spark reminiscent of Michael and Geetha from Aayutha Ezhuthu. Even the dialogue Daddy is home serves as a meta-reference to his iconic dual roles in the past. Balaji's use of tight close-up shots on their eyes during planning scenes is a direct tribute to the minimalism that defined their first film together. The success of the Suriya-Trisha dynamic lies in its maturity. Throughout their filmography, Trisha's characters have always been the catalyst for change in Suriya's world, forcing his characters to evolve and find a new path. Whether it was Goutham finding love, Michael finding a partner in his activism, or Aaru finding a reason to leave crime, the pattern remains. In Karuppu, that growth continues as they stand together as equals. For fans who have followed them for 20 years, seeing them reclaim their throne at the box office is as much about the nostalgia as it is about the excellent filmmaking.

BY CHRISTA LINCY

Suriya has finally found the theatrical footing he has been searching for over the last thirteen years. While his recent journey has included ambitious big-screen projects like Kanguva and critically acclaimed hits like Soorarai Pottru and Jai Bhim—which were unfortunately restricted to OTT releases due to the pandemic—the raw, mass-market success of the Singham era had remained elusive in cinema halls. Karuppu changes that narrative. Acting as a major theatrical comeback for the star, the film delivers the kind of high-octane energy that fans have been craving since his peak years in the early 2010s. It is a return to form that reminds the trade why Suriya remains one of the most bankable names in the South. The journey to the theaters was not without its share of drama. Initially scheduled for a May 14 release, eleventh-hour financial hurdles forced the producers to shift the opening by a day. While such a last-minute delay often hurts a film's momentum, for Karuppu, it seemed to only heighten the anticipation among the audience. When the movie finally hit screens on May 15, the response was immediate and strong. On its opening day, the film collected a net of 15.50 crore across 4,891 shows in India, resulting in a domestic gross of approximately 18 crore. This performance confirms that the last-minute scheduling shift did little to dampen the star's pulling power at the ticket windows. Total India Net Collection: ₹15.50 Cr Total India Gross Collection: ₹18.00 Cr Tamil Net Collection: ₹13.10 Cr Telugu Net Collection: ₹2.40 Cr (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The linguistic breakdown highlights the film's core strength in its home territory. The Tamil version led the charge with 13.10 crore net, operating at a very healthy 54 percent occupancy. The Telugu version added another 2.40 crore to the kitty, maintaining a 30 percent occupancy. State-wise, Tamil Nadu was the primary driver with an 11.25 crore gross. Interestingly, the film showed decent reach across other southern states, pulling in 3.00 crore in the Andhra Pradesh and Telangana regions, 2.00 crore in Karnataka, and 1.50 crore in Kerala. The rest of India contributed a modest 0.18 crore, as the film currently remains a heavy hitter primarily in the South. Occupancy rates in major cities suggest that the movie is successfully drawing people into theaters for evening and night shows. In Chennai, the film opened with a massive 70.5 percent overall occupancy across 592 shows, with night shows peaking at a staggering 92 percent. Coimbatore was not far behind with 63.8 percent occupancy. In the Telugu market, Hyderabad saw 31.5 percent occupancy across 246 shows, while Vizag recorded a higher 36 percent. Bengaluru also stayed steady with 38.5 percent occupancy across 367 shows. These numbers indicate that the word-of-mouth among the mass audience is translating into high seat-fill rates. Looking at the broader 2024 box office charts, the first-day performance of Karuppu has managed to find a respectable place among the top performers in recent years. Despite the scheduling hurdles and the last-minute release shift, the film has successfully broken into the list of the biggest Kollywood openings seen from 2024 onwards. Here is how the top 10 rankings currently stand based on their India net collections. Top 10 Kollywood Openers (From 2024) - Day 1 Net MOVIE NAME INDIA NET COLLECTION Coolie ₹ 44.50 Cr The Greatest of All Time ₹ 39.15 Cr Good Bad Ugly ₹ 28.15 Cr Vettaiyan ₹ 27.75 Cr Vidaamuyarchi ₹ 25.50 Cr Amaran ₹ 17.45 Cr Retro ₹ 17.25 Cr Indian 2 ₹ 16.50 Cr Karuppu ₹ 15.50 Cr Kanguva ₹ 14.90 Cr (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) While the overall Day 1 performance is encouraging, a deeper look at the morning trends reveals some room for growth. On its opening morning, Karuppu recorded around 25 percent occupancy, which is a significant step down from the 75 percent morning occupancy seen by Suriya's previous film, Retro. However, this slower start is understandable when you consider the chaos surrounding the release. The lower morning turnout was largely a result of the immense confusion and last-minute updates regarding the shifting release date. Moving the film from Thursday to Friday at the eleventh hour left many casual moviegoers unsure of the actual schedule, which naturally impacted the initial rush. As reported, the film entered theatres on a very strong financial footing, thanks to its impressive pre-release business. Karuppu has already recovered over 110 crore through the sale of its satellite, digital, and theatrical rights even before the first show began. This significant recovery provides a substantial safety net for the producers and serves as a testament to the massive brand value Suriya continues to command in the trade, despite a few years of theatrical turbulence. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Watch audiences reception Thambi.@SaiAbhyankkar, do you even realize what you’ve done to #TamilNadu?.@RJ_Balaji’ climax of #Karuppu starring.@Suriya_offl has sent theatres into absolute madness fans screaming, dancing, and literally “saami aadifying” inside cinema halls! Mass hysteria at another level! pic.twitter.com/83dKEmXDtJ— Parthiban Shanmugam (@hollywoodcurry) May 15, 2026 However, given that this is a high-budget venture, the focus now shifts to how the movie performs over the long haul. While the pre-release deals have moved it closer to the safe zone, the film needs to deliver big and maintain sustained legs at the ticket windows to be a definitive victory after the stars recent setbacks.The combination of a steady domestic run and a strong contribution from the overseas market will be the deciding factors in making Karuppu a massive theatrical success. The performance across the national multiplex chains—PVR, INOX, and Cinepolis—highlights the strong interest the film has generated. On its opening Friday, these major chains recorded a combined sale of over 29,000 tickets, contributing roughly 48 lakh to the day's gross. PVR led the charge by selling approximately 21,100 tickets with an occupancy of nearly 25 percent, while INOX and Cinepolis together added another 8,000 tickets to the tally. This momentum was equally strong on digital platforms, with BookMyShow reporting a massive 7 lakh ticket sales for Day 1 alone. Now that the initial release hurdles are cleared and the film has secured a domestic gross of 18 crore, Karuppu has successfully set the stage for a very promising first weekend.

BY CHRISTA LINCY

Bhooth Bangla has hit a significant turning point in its box office journey. For the first time since its release 29 days ago, the daily collections have dipped below the 1 crore mark. On its fifth Friday, the film brought in 0.75 crore net, which reflects a 40 percent drop from the 1.25 crore it earned on Thursday. While the film has shown incredible stamina so far, this shift is a natural result of a crowded Friday marketplace and a logical change in theater scheduling. This dip is a direct result of the heavy competition entering the arena. The arrival of new titles like Pati Patni Aur Woh Do and Aakhri Sawal has caused a significant shift in screen allocation, with Pati Patni Aur Woh Do immediately climbing to the second spot in national level ticket sales. When you add the two-week-old hit Raja Shivaji to the mix—which is still holding strong after previously topping charts—the screen sharing impact becomes very clear. Bhooth Bangla saw its show count slashed from 4,061 on Thursday to just 2,297 on Friday. As a result, Bhooth Bangla saw its show count slashed from 4,061 on Thursday to 2,297 on Friday. If we look closely at the performance within the major national multiplex chains, we can see how the screen sharing played out. In total, the big three—PVR, INOX, and Cinepolis—accounted for approximately 2,500 tickets on Friday, contributing roughly 7.3 lakh to the day's gross. PVR led the trio with around 1,000 tickets sold and a gross of 3.5 lakh. INOX followed closely with another 1,000 tickets for a 2.7 lakh gross, while Cinepolis added about 400 tickets and 1.1 lakh to the tally. On the digital front, BookMyShow recorded 11.96K tickets for the day, which pushes the total lifetime bookings on that platform to a massive 30.82 lakh. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Looking at the occupancy across major regions, the film continues to find takers in the metros despite fewer screenings. In Mumbai, the movie recorded 16.3 percent occupancy across 86 shows, a notable shift from the 10.8 percent occupancy it saw across 142 shows on Thursday. In the National Capital Region (NCR), the occupancy stood at 9.8 percent across 282 shows, compared to 7.8 percent across 478 shows yesterday. Ahmedabad also followed this trend, recording 8.3 percent occupancy across 137 shows. These numbers suggest that while the show volume has decreased, the audience is still turning up for the available slots. Despite the slowing daily pace, the overall numbers for Bhooth Bangla remain very impressive. The total India net collection now stands at 165.05 crore, while the India gross has reached 195.70 crore. The overseas market added another 5 lakh to the kitty on Day 29, bringing the total international gross to 53.35 crore. All of this brings the worldwide gross collection to 249.05 crore. The film is now just a few steps away from the 250 crore worldwide milestone, a feat it should comfortably achieve by today.

BY SACNILK TEAM

Here is the Hindi movie Aakhri Sawal box office collection which is a drama film. This film is directed by Abhijeet Mohan Warang and produced by Nikhil Nanda Motion Pictures and Neem Tree Entertainment. ## Aakhri Sawal stars Sanjay Dutt, Namashi Chakraborthy, Nitu Chandra Srivastava, Amit Sadh, Sameera Reddy, and Mrinal Kulkarni in key roles. ## Aakhri Sawal Box Office Collection Day Wise | All Language DayIndia Net Collection Day 1 [1st Friday] ₹ - Cr * may earn Total ₹ - Cr ## India Net Collection ₹ - Cr ## Worldwide Collection ₹ - Cr ## Overseas Collection ₹ - Cr ## India Gross Collection ₹ - Cr ## Aakhri Sawal Budget: ₹ - Cr * Approx ## Aakhri Sawal Verdict: Coming Soon ## Aakhri Sawal Screen count ## India: - ## Overseas: - ## Worldwide total: - ## Release Date: 15th May 2026 ## For more and the latest news about Bollywood Box Office Collection, Stay tuned to us.

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Hyderabad, May 15 - Telugu superstar Ram Charan's upcoming pan-India sports action drama Peddi has reportedly been made on a staggering budget of around 350 crore, making it one of the costliest Telugu films ever produced. The massive budget has now become part of the ongoing tension between Telangana exhibitors and producers over the percentage model dispute. During a recent chamber meeting amid the ongoing conflict, the producer of Peddi reportedly made an emotional appeal requesting exhibitors not to affect the film's release. "My release was planned even before this issue. I spent 350 crores on this film. We have already postponed from March 27 and April 30. My film should not be affected by this percentage model conflict," the producer said during the discussion, according to Gulte. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The dispute erupted after several Telangana single-screen exhibitors demanded a shift from the current rental system to a percentage-sharing model, claiming theatres are facing severe financial pressure. Some exhibitors have even threatened to boycott major releases if their demands are not addressed soon. With Peddi positioned as one of the biggest Telugu releases of the year, the issue has created significant concern within the industry. Trade circles believe producers are particularly worried because any disruption in Telangana could impact the film's collections despite the strong buzz surrounding the project. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Directed by Buchi Babu Sana, Peddi stars Ram Charan in a rugged sports-action avatar alongside Janhvi Kapoor. The film also features Jagapathi Babu, Shiva Rajkumar, and Divayenndu in key roles, with music composed by A. R. Rahman. The trailer and promotional assets have already generated massive anticipation across Telugu states and overseas markets. Produced by Vriddhi Cinemas and IVY Entertainment, the film is scheduled for a grand worldwide release on June 4, 2026, while negotiations between exhibitors and producers are still ongoing in Telangana.

BY CHRISTA LINCY

Suriya is back on the big screen with Karuppu, and the early buzz suggests that the film is off to a flying start. Directed by RJ Balaji, this movie is an interesting blend of a fantasy courtroom drama and a mass superhero entertainer. The story follows a man with divine powers who navigates a corrupt judicial system. While the first half stays grounded as a hard-hitting take on the legal system in a lower court, the second half switches into what critics are calling God mode, where the protagonist uses supernatural elements to take on his enemies. The response at the ticket windows has been nothing short of phenomenal. Karuppu has managed to secure the 4th spot for peak hour sales on BookMyShow, which is quite a feat for a non-holiday release. During the peak hour of 1 pm to 2 pm today, the film sold over 40,450 tickets. This makes it only the 4th Tamil film ever to cross the 40K hourly sales mark on the platform, joining the ranks of blockbusters like Leo, Coolie, and Jailer. From 6 am to 2 pm, the movie has already sold a total of 1,92,070 tickets on BookMyShow, proving that the fan excitement is at an all-time high. Critical reception has been generally positive, with most reviews falling between 3.25 and 4 out of 5. The leading star is being praised for fitting the title role perfectly, especially in how the character controls his rage in the beginning and goes full blast towards the end. The supporting cast, playing roles ranging from a wily, unscrupulous lawyer to an upright legal professional, have also been noted for their strong performances. The courtroom drama is said to have a neat emotional angle that keeps the audience hooked throughout the first half. The film is being described as a proper theatrical mass entertainer that is best enjoyed with an energetic crowd and loud celebrations. The first half provides a good emotional connect, while the climax is packed with whistle-worthy moments and a superb ending. Technically, the background score is receiving praise for elevating the emotional and mass sequences, and the visuals involving the fantasy elements are reportedly well-executed. While some felt the songs were average, the overall technical package is being seen as a significant strength for the film. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Some observers pointed out that the second half lacks the tight grip of the first half and relies more on theatrical gimmicks and references to other major hit films. There is a specific one-liner and several popular culture references that have been included to add zest to the proceedings. While these moments worked well for many, some felt they were a bit of a departure from the earlier tone. Despite these minor critiques, the movie is being seen as a satisfying mass entertainer for families this summer. With such a massive start in ticket sales, the journey at the box office is off to a very promising start. With its massive ticket sales and the generally positive word-of-mouth, Karuppu is well on its way to becoming a significant box office success. The combination of Suriya's intense screen presence and the fantasy-mythological elements involving Karuppu Saamy seems to have struck the right chord. It remains to be seen how the movie holds up over the weekend, but for now, it is safe to say that the God mode has officially begun at the theaters. Take a look at what critics have to say about the film #Karuppu Review : Fantasy courtroom drama with mass superhero elements. My Rating : 3.25/5A pucca commercial movie packaged with lots of theatrical elevation scenes by @RJ_Balaji. First half is whacky and hooks you as it a hard -hitting take on how the judiciary functions… pic.twitter.com/7PlWwRirzT— Sreedhar Pillai (@sri50) May 15, 2026 #Karuppu is a ‘God Mode’ Mass Fantasy film, made with many enjoyable theatrical moments. A courtroom drama with good emotional connect. As God #Karuppu #Suriya sir is fabulous. Fully loaded and mass mode, especially the climax sequence. Loved it. He rocked. An engaging watch 🏆… pic.twitter.com/V2xDIagGo5— G Dhananjheyan (@Dhananjayang) May 15, 2026 #Karuppu [4/5] : BLOCKBUSTER 🔥 A Mass Fantasy Entertainer! It's @Suriya_offl show all the way! Looks into how dysfunctional our court system is..@Suriya_offl has catered to both fans and general audience.. Jus one word - GOD MODE! 🙏 @RJ_Balaji as corrupt lawyer Baby…— Ramesh Bala (@rameshlaus) May 15, 2026 (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) #KARUPPU First Half Review 🍿 - An Entertaining Show So Far with a Neat Emotional Angle from #RjBalaji..👌- #Suriya's Entry and his Screen Presence was Terrific..🤩💥 Man Looks Semma on Screen..🤝- #SaiAbhyankkar's BGM was Superb..👌 Elevates the Emotional and Mass Scenes… pic.twitter.com/AIxKJE1Mxq— Laxmi Kanth (@iammoviebuff007) May 15, 2026 #Karuppu - 3.75 stars. A highly entertaining, high voltage commercial entertainer from @Suriya_offl after a long time. The kind of film that works across the board and proves all those wrong who doubted @RJ_Balaji’s capabilities in handling a star and a project of this scale.… pic.twitter.com/NE9wTcowhP— Haricharan Pudipeddi (@pudiharicharan) May 15, 2026 #Karuppu [#ABRatings - 4.25/5]- Action & Emotional First half followed by a Commercial second half with many high moments & references 👌- Suriya as Karuppasamy carried the role extraordinary with his screen presence👏- RJBalaji's precise Writing & SaiAbhyankkar's BGM… pic.twitter.com/xCj9bMmwgp— AmuthaBharathi (@CinemaWithAB) May 15, 2026

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Chennai, May 15 - The buzz for Tamil superstar Suriya's Karuppu has exploded, with the BookMyShow ticket sales indicating one of the biggest openings ever for the actor in Tamil cinema. The action drama has generated tremendous hype across Tamil Nadu and overseas markets despite facing unexpected release hurdles. Directed by RJ Balaji, the film was originally scheduled to release on May 14, but the shows were cancelled for the entire day due to financial issues. The sudden disruption only amplified the buzz surrounding the film, especially amid the positive industry reports and strong early reactions. Karuppu was officially released on May 15 and has received an excellent response at the box office. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) According to the latest update, the film is currently selling nearly 39K tickets per hour on BookMyShow for the Tamil version, which is a record pace for a Suriya starrer. The film has already sold over 200K tickets on the platform on May 15 only, for both Tamil and Telugu versions, with half of the day still left, registering massive audience interest. Also starring Trisha Krishnan, the fantasy action drama witnessed a sharp spike in bookings after positive fan reactions started surfacing online following the early shows. Fans have particularly praised Suriya's screen presence, emotional moments, and the film's mass appeal, which are expected to boost spot bookings further through the day. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Looking at the current trend, Karuppu is expected to score in the range of 20 crores gross at the domestic box office, which will be one of the biggest openings ever for Suriya. With positive word of mouth pouring in, the film is set for a big opening weekend at the worldwide box office.

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, May 15 - Amid the growing suspense, JioHotstar has finally provided the update regarding the digital release of Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge. The Ranveer Singh-starrer has been in theatres since March 19 and has done extraordinary business at the box office by emerging as the second-highest-grossing Indian film of all-time. JioHotstar had acquired the post-theatrical streaming rights of Ranveer Singh starrer, and it was assumed to be released digitally on May 15, after completing 8 weeks (56 days) in theatres. However, there was no update from the platform, which raised curiosity among the fans about when the film will actually be available on OTT. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) JioHotstar Announces Digital Release of Dhurandhar 2 On Friday, JioHotstar teased the much-anticipated OTT release of the spy action thriller. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), the streamer teased, "Ladies and gentlemen, are you ready for this?", and confirmed via a short clip that the film will start streaming very, very soon. Meanwhile, on its app, the streamer has listed the film for June 4 release. Dhurandhar 2 has already passed 8 weeks of the routine theatrical window, and going by the latest update from the makers, it is clear that the makers have extended the window. This makes sense since the film is still regularly earning over 30 lakh daily despite being in its 9th week, and has grossed around 1800 crores worldwide. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Ladies and gentlemen, are you ready for this? 😉 pic.twitter.com/yYGs06uI4H— JioHotstar (@JioHotstar) May 15, 2026 (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Netflix To Release Extended Version Internationally The Ranveer Singh starrer has started streaming internationally on the platform from midnight in several international territories. As confirmed by the platform, it will stream the uncut version of the film outside India starting May 15. It has been released under the extended title Dhurandhar: The Revenge (Raw and Undekha) and will reportedly include additional footage along with uncensored dialogues that were removed from the theatrical cut.

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, May 15 - Mounting a big-budget war film is among the toughest challenges in filmmaking. From military research to realistic combat design and large-scale outdoor shoots to VFX, sound design, and emotionally charged music, every detail demands precision and massive investment. But trade experts say a great spectacle alone no longer guarantees box office success. Today's audiences want authenticity, emotion, and characters they can connect with beyond the battlefield. Over the span of six months, there were some major war films that were released in theatres. The audience verdict, though, was evident with Border 2 emerging as a big blockbuster and eventually becoming the most successful war film of recent times with 450 crores worldwide gross collection. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Industry chatter suggests that the film's emotional storytelling and patriotic core struck a chord with viewers across generations, proving that the appetite for war dramas coupled with a strong emotional core is still very much alive. Many within the trade are now crediting the Duttas for once again redefining the genre they mastered decades ago. With Border and now Border 2, producer and co-writer Nidhi Dutta has shown that the secret to a successful war film lies not just in scale, but in soul. The blockbuster success of Border 2 has reignited interest in the genre. Produced by Nidhi Dutta under JP Films, and Bhushan Kumar of T-Series, Border 2 stars Sunny Deol, Varun Dhawan, Diljit Dosanjh, and Ahaan Shetty, and was released on 23rd January 2026.

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, May 15 - After delivering a big hit in the form of Bhooth Bangla, superstar Akshay Kumar is set for another laugh riot in Ahmad Khan-directed Welcome To The Jungle. The third instalment in the iconic Welcome franchise has been in the making for quite some time and is now gearing up for release on June 26. On Friday (May 15), the makers dropped the teaser without prior announcement, and this came as a pleasant surprise for the fans. The teaser is filled with laugh-out-loud moments, set against a forest (Jungle) backdrop. The teaser promises that Welcome 3 will stay true to the franchise's trademark style of slapstick humour, outrageous confusion, and nonstop comic situations. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Produced by Firoz Nadiadwallah, Cape Of Good Films, Seeta Films, Rakesh Dang, Vedant Vikaas Baali, and Base Industries Group, Welcome To The Jungle has generated strong excitement across social media, with fans expressing confidence in the film's box office prospects and Akshay Kumar's winning streak. With the teaser, the makers have confirmed that the film will be released as scheduled, on June 26. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Meanwhile, as per the reports, JioStar has acquired the film's domestic theatrical rights, along with satellite and OTT rights. This means the film will release nationwide under JioStar's distribution, followed by its television premiere and digital streaming on JioHotstar, giving the company complete control over its India lifecycle. Directed by Ahmed Khan, Welcome 3 stars Akshay Kumar, along with Suniel Shetty, Paresh Rawal, Sanjay Dutt, Arshad Warsi, Jacqueline Fernandez, Disha Patani, Raveena Tandon, Lara Dutta, Tusshar Kapoor, Shreyas Talpade, Krushna Abhishek, and Kiku Sharda, among others, in key roles.

BY CHRISTA LINCY

Athiradi has finally made its grand debut at the box office, and the initial response suggests a very positive start for this Malayalam action-drama. The film follows a high-stakes narrative filled with intense moments that have clearly drawn the audience to the theatres in large numbers. While the journey began with limited premiere shows on Wednesday, the full-fledged opening on Thursday has set a strong tone for the days ahead. If we look at the opening day performance, the film collected a net of 5.55 crore on its first Thursday. This is a massive jump of 967.3 per cent from the premiere day (Day 0), which had collected 0.52 crore from just 115 shows with a high occupancy of 77 per cent. This brings the total India net collection after day one to 6.05 crore. In terms of gross earnings, the India total stands at 7.04 crore, and with an overseas contribution of 3.50 crore (estimated), the worldwide gross has reached 10.50 crore. The film's reach was quite wide for a Malayalam release, with 1,915 shows screened on the opening day. The average occupancy across these shows was 52.0 per cent, which is quite healthy. Kerala, as expected, was the primary contributor, bringing in a gross of 5.50 crore. Other regions like Karnataka and Tamil Nadu added 0.55 crore and 0.22 crore, respectively, while the rest of India contributed 0.12 crore. The advance booking, including premieres, had already signalled a strong start by gathering 2.78 crore in gross collections. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) In terms of regional occupancy, some pockets saw exceptional performance. Kozhikode led the way with a fantastic 75.5 percent occupancy across 83 shows, while Kochi recorded 60.8 percent occupancy from 205 shows. The night shows in these regions were particularly crowded, with Kozhikode reaching as high as 91 percent. Other major cities like Trivandrum and Chennai also maintained steady interest with 43.3 percent and 44.8 percent occupancy respectively. The digital engagement for the film has been very high as well. On its first day, Athiradi sold 204K tickets on BookMyShow, reflecting the high anticipation among the youth and urban audience. This strong ticket movement helped the film secure the third-biggest opening for a Mollywood film in 2026, trailing only behind Patriot (10 crore) and Aadu 3 (6.03 crore). It also successfully moved past the opening day numbers of Vaazha 2, which had collected 4.75 crore. On the national chain front, Athiradi sold a total of 13,380 tickets on its opening day across PVR, INOX, and Cinepolis. Breaking this down with the nearest rounded figures, PVR accounted for 8,640 tickets, INOX sold around 2,250 tickets, and Cinepolis contributed 2,490 tickets to reach the total. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Despite this strong start, Athiradi narrowly missed out on entering the all-time top 10 opening day list for Malayalam cinema. To give you some context, the tenth spot on that list is currently held by King Of Kotha with 5.60 crore, meaning Athiradi was just 5 lakhs away from breaking into the record books. Here is a look at the current top 10 opening day net collections in Mollywood history for perspective. L2: Empuraan - ₹ 18.60 Cr Patriot - ₹ 10.00 Cr Bha. Bha. Ba. - ₹ 6.70 Cr Aadujeevitham - The Goat Life - ₹ 6.55 Cr Marakkar: Lion of the Arabian Sea - ₹ 6.30 Cr Turbo - ₹ 6.25 Cr Aadu 3 - ₹ 6.03 Cr Bheeshma Parvam - ₹ 5.80 Cr Malaikottai Vaaliban - ₹ 5.65 Cr King Of Kotha - ₹ 5.60 Cr Overall, Athiradi has had a very successful launch. With a solid worldwide gross already surpassing the 10 crore mark and strong occupancy trends, the film is well-positioned for a productive first weekend. The positive reception in Kerala and steady ticket sales on BookMyShow suggest it will continue to perform well. However, with the highly anticipated Drishyam 3 set to arrive on May 21, we will likely see some screen sharing in the coming days. It will be interesting to wait and watch how the movie maintains its momentum once that competition arrives.