Tanuj Virwani directs short film amid COVID-19 pandemic

BY SACNILK

Fans walking into theatres for Dhamaal 4 today were greeted with an unexpected and emotional surprise right at the start. The film, which marks the fourth installment of the long-running comedy franchise, opens with a specially designed animated sequence that features a digital resurrection of the late veteran actor Satish Kaushik. Reprising his iconic role as Bata Bhai from Double Dhamaal (2011), the late actor's appearance was made possible through a blend of high-end CGI and Artificial Intelligence. Satish Kaushik, whose sudden passing in 2023 left a void in the Indian film industry, was a key highlight of the second film with his hilarious underworld antics. By using AI to recreate his likeness and voice, director Indra Kumar has ensured that the actor's legacy remains part of the Dhamaal universe. In a touching gesture, the makers have specifically thanked Satish Kaushik's wife, Shashi Kaushik, in the opening credits for her support in making this digital tribute possible. This sequence serves as a bridge between the new story and the franchise's history, immediately setting a nostalgic tone for the audience. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The surprises don't stop with Bata Bhai. The same animated sequence also features an appearance by Jackie Shroff, marking his second unique contribution to the series. In the previous installment, Total Dhamaal (2019), Jackie Shroff had lent his distinct voice to a tapori-style GPS system that guided the characters—a gimmick that became a fan favorite. This time, his AI-generated appearance adds another layer of madness to the opening, signaling that the film intends to lean heavily into the slapstick, pure-comedy roots that made the 2007 original a cult classic. Produced on a reported budget of ₹200 crore, Dhamaal 4 is a high-stakes adventure that moves away from the multi-story structure of Total Dhamaal, functioning instead as a direct continuation. The film follows a massive treasure hunt involving sea pirates and supernatural elements, where the gang tracks down a hidden ₹50 crore treasure. The scale of the production is evident in the technical work, especially the use of CGI to bring back beloved characters, which allows the film to balance modern technology with old-school humor. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The core of the film remains the dynamic between the veteran cast. Ajay Devgn leads as the sharp-witted Guddu Rastogi, alongside the franchise's original trio: Arshad Warsi as Aditya Srivastav, Jaaved Jaaferi as the lovable but dim-witted Manav, and Riteish Deshmukh as the eccentric Deshbandhu Roy. Joining them in this chaotic race is Sanjay Mishra as Johnny D'Costa and Ravi Kishan, who plays the primary antagonist, a pirate captain named Michael. The film also introduces Sanjeeda Shaikh, Esha Gupta, and Anjali Anand, the latter of whom is already receiving praise for her performance as Paaro. By honoring Satish Kaushik right at the beginning, Indra Kumar has successfully tapped into the emotional connection fans have with this franchise, making Dhamaal 4 more than just a typical comedy sequel.

BY SACNILK

Ajay Devgn has carved out a unique space for himself where he effortlessly balances high-octane action with mass-market comedy. While he is often associated with the intense Singham persona, his track record in the comedy genre is arguably just as impressive. With Dhamaal 4 arriving in cinemas today, July 10, 2026, all eyes are on the box office to see if this new installment can break into the list of his all-time biggest comedy openers. Top 5 Comedy Openers of Ajay Devgn - India Net CollectionMOVIE NAMEDAY 1 NET COLLECTIONRELEASE YEARGolmaal Again₹ 30.14 Cr2017Total Dhamaal₹ 16.50 Cr2019Bol Bachchan₹ 12.10 Cr2012Golmaal 3₹ 8.10 Cr2010Double Dhamaal₹ 7.60 Cr2011 (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) At the top of the pyramid sits Golmaal Again, which remains a landmark film in the genre. Its opening of 30.14 crore in 2017 is particularly historic because it came during a massive Diwali clash against Secret Superstar. Despite the competition, the Rohit Shetty-Ajay Devgn brand ensured maximum theatre occupancy, making it the highest opening day ever for a Bollywood comedy at the time. It eventually finished as one of the career-best performers for Devgn, proving that family audiences would turn up in droves for the right brand of humor. Total Dhamaal holds the second spot with a 16.50 crore opening in 2019. What makes this number special is that it was achieved on a standard, non-holiday Friday. Most big openers rely on festival windows, but this film relied purely on mass-market dominance, especially in circuits like Gujarat and Central India. It also famously reunited the hit pair of Anil Kapoor and Madhuri Dixit after seventeen years, adding a layer of nostalgia that helped it kick off a double-blockbuster year for the actor. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Looking at the 2012 release Bol Bachchan, its 12.10 crore start was a significant milestone because double-digit openings were relatively rare back then for comedy films. It was also a breakthrough film for Devgn in overseas markets, particularly in the UAE and North America, where it collected 2.05 million dollars in its first weekend. It remains one of the fastest comedies of that era to cross the 100 crore net mark, finishing its domestic run at an exact 103.12 crore. Golmaal 3, which released in 2010, remains one of the most significant milestones in the history of Indian comedy. It shattered long-standing records by becoming the first-ever film in a Bollywood comedy franchise to enter the prestigious 100 crore net club. Backed by a lean production budget of 40 crore, the film performed exceptionally well not just in India but also in international markets, securing over 18 crore in overseas collections. It eventually finished with a massive 162.30 crore worldwide gross, earning an undisputed Blockbuster verdict and setting the stage for the even larger sequels that followed. Following closely in 2011 was Double Dhamaal, which recorded a solid 7.60 crore on its opening day. This film was a massive win in terms of profitability, achieving complete recovery and earning a Hit verdict with an India lifetime net of 44.10 crore. It was a true heavyweight in the mass market, deriving more than 65% of its total theatrical footfalls from single-screen theatres and B-centers across North and Central India. This performance established the Dhamaal brand as a family-favorite commercial draw, eventually closing its global run with a 71 crore worldwide gross. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) So, where does Dhamaal 4 stand in this elite company? Current tracking and advance booking data suggest that the film is heading for a very strong start. With a net advance of 2.57 crore and steady morning occupancy of around 8.38 percent, trade experts are projecting an opening day in the range of 10 to 14.5 crore net. If the film touches the upper end of these estimates, it will comfortably overtake Bol Bachchan to secure the third spot on this list, trailing only behind the massive holiday records of Golmaal Again and Total Dhamaal. Even a mid-range performance will see it easily surpassing the initial day figures of Golmaal 3 and Double Dhamaal, solidifying the Dhamaal brand's enduring pull at the box office. The momentum for Dhamaal 4 is being driven by strong ticket sales on BookMyShow, which saw over 33,000 tickets sold in the morning hours alone. While it may not challenge the massive holiday record of Golmaal Again, entering the top three would be a significant achievement for the franchise. It would further solidify Ajay Devgn's position as a consistent star in the comedy space, showing that his brand of entertainment continues to resonate with both multiplex and single-screen audiences.

BY SACNILK

Before the global spotlight hits the international stage, the makers of Ramayana are starting their journey at home by engaging with India's youngest creators. They have launched the Colours of Ramayana contest, an art competition specifically for school students across the nation. It's a creative call to bring the ancient epic to life through paintings and sketches, with some very exciting rewards on the line. Winners won't just get official limited-edition merchandise; they will also get a world-first chance to watch the movie's trailer in 3D in theaters before anyone else. This local initiative, which closes for entries on July 14, 2026, is just the first step in a massive marketing campaign that is now heading toward a historic global debut. The scale of this outreach is truly massive, with the promotional tour set to actively reach over 400 schools across 18 major cities in India. The goal is to connect directly with more than 5 lakh students through various interactive segments. Beyond just the art competition, the team is hosting historical quizzes and educational sessions designed to make the epic's rich history relatable to the younger generation. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The "Ramayana: Our Truth. Our History. Contest" is LIVE!We invite school students across India to participate in Colours of Ramayana, an art competition that celebrates their imagination, devotion and creativity.Bring your vision to life with your paintings, sketches and… pic.twitter.com/BMv8tflqax— The World Of Ramayana (@WorldOfRamayana) July 9, 2026 The global stage is being set for what is perhaps the most ambitious project in the history of Indian cinema. Namit Malhotra and Nitesh Tiwari’s upcoming retelling of the Ramayana is heading to the prestigious San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC) for a major international showcase on July 23, 2026. This move places the Indian epic alongside top-tier global franchises and television networks that traditionally dominate the event. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) For its exclusive international debut, the movie has been officially titled Ramayana: The Epic Begins. The panel is scheduled to take place in Ballroom 20, located on the upper level of the San Diego Convention Center. To understand the scale of this event, one must look at the venue itself. Ballroom 20 is the second-largest hall at SDCC, boasting a massive seating capacity of approximately 4,800 to 5,000 attendees. Historically, this space is reserved for major studio presentations and top-tier television networks. With this milestone, Ramayana becomes only the second Indian film in history to secure a major hall showcase at SDCC, following in the footsteps of Kalki 2898 AD. The panel is scheduled for Thursday, July 23, 2026, running for exactly one hour from 3:15 PM to 4:15 PM PDT. For fans in India who want to track the updates live, the event will kick off early the next morning at 3:15 AM IST on Friday, July 24. The creators are treating this as a Hollywood-grade international launch, intended to introduce the scale of the Indian epic to a global audience. The lineup for the panel is equally impressive. Lead superstars Ranbir Kapoor, who portrays Lord Ram, and Yash, who plays Ravana, will take the stage live alongside director Nitesh Tiwari and producer Namit Malhotra, who is also the Global CEO of the Academy Award-winning VFX powerhouse DNEG. Their presence indicates a significant level of commitment to the film’s international positioning, offering fans a chance for live interactions and interviews. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) One of the most intriguing highlights of the presentation will be the reveal of world-first technology. The team is expected to unveil a special version of the trailer that utilizes Brahma AI. This is an indigenously developed, advanced artificial intelligence system designed to sync English lip movements perfectly with the live-action footage. This technological leap aims to solve the immersion issues often found in dubbed content, making the film more accessible to international viewers without losing the impact of the performances. Beyond the technical reveals, attendees in Ballroom 20 will be treated to never-before-seen footage and exclusive behind-the-scenes breakdown clips that detail how this ancient epic was visualized for the modern big screen. The one-hour block also promises live stage performances and special limited-edition giveaways for those inside the hall. While the global marketing kicks off in San Diego, the makers are also engaging audiences back home through the Colours of Ramayana art contest, which offers Indian school students a chance to win exclusive merchandise and early trailer screenings.

BY SACNILK

Bollywood comedy franchises have become some of the most reliable assets for producers over the last two decades. While action films often grab headlines for their massive openings, comedy series like Housefull, Golmaal, and Dhamaal have built a loyal fanbase that ensures longevity at the ticket windows. As Dhamaal 4 makes its theatrical debut today, July 10, 2026, the stakes are higher than ever for this slapstick series to climb the all-time rankings. The success ratio of these franchises is remarkably high. Looking at the records, the Housefull series has seen four out of its five films being tagged as Hits or Superhits. Similarly, the Golmaal franchise has a flawless record, with Golmaal 3 becoming a historic milestone in 2010 as the first-ever Bollywood comedy franchise film to enter the ₹100 crore club. This consistency is what separates these brands from standalone comedy hits; they have the unique ability to bring family audiences back to the silver screen regardless of critics' reviews. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Highest Grossing Comedy Franchises in Bollywood - Worldwide Box OfficeRANKFRANCHISEFILMSWORLDWIDE COLLECTION1Housefull5₹ 1,077.77 Cr2Golmaal4₹ 599.66 Cr3Welcome*3₹ 468.26 Cr4Dhamaal (Pre-Part 4)3₹ 354.48 Cr5Fukrey3₹ 290.75 Cr *Welcome includes the current worldwide box office collection of Welcome to the Jungle, which is still running in its third week of release. The Housefull franchise currently stands at the top of the mountain. It remains the only comedy series in Indian cinema to cross the ₹1,000 crore milestone worldwide. While Housefull 2 marked the entry into the elite tier in 2012, it was Housefull 4 in 2019 that completely redefined the scale by raking in nearly ₹300 crore globally. More recently, Housefull 5 set a record-breaking pace in 2025 by entering the ₹100 crore net club in just 4 days, eventually finishing with a domestic net of ₹183.38 crore. Housefull Franchise: Housefull | Worldwide: ₹119.00 Cr Housefull 2 | Worldwide: ₹188.40 Cr Housefull 3 | Worldwide: ₹185.70 Cr Housefull 4 | Worldwide: ₹296.00 Cr Housefull 5 | Worldwide: ₹288.67 Cr (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Following closely is the Golmaal franchise. While it has one fewer film than Housefull, its peak performance has been massive. Golmaal Again in 2017 shattered expectations by grossing ₹205 crore net in India alone. It established 13 independent box office records at the time and proved that Ajay Devgn could dominate holiday slots usually reserved for the Khans. With Golmaal 5 already in development, the battle for the top spot is far from over. Golmaal Franchise: Golmaal: Fun Unlimited | Worldwide: ₹46.70 Cr Golmaal Returns | Worldwide: ₹82.04 Cr Golmaal 3 | Worldwide: ₹162.30 Cr Golmaal Again | Worldwide: ₹308.62 Cr The Welcome franchise has been a consistent box office heavyweight since 2007, when the original film finished as the second-highest grosser of the year, just behind Om Shanti Om. Beyond turning Majnu Bhai and Uday Shetty into pop-culture icons, the series has shown remarkable financial legs across decades. With the ongoing run of Welcome to the Jungle, the franchise's cumulative worldwide total has climbed to ₹468.26 crore, setting a high bar for Dhamaal 4 as it attempts to break into the top three comedy brands. Welcome Franchise: Welcome | Worldwide: ₹119.50 Cr Welcome Back | Worldwide: ₹168.70 Cr Welcome To The Jungle | Worldwide: ₹180.06 Cr Even franchises like Fukrey have demonstrated that comedy often succeeds through steady momentum rather than just initial hype. The Fukrey films hold a unique box office milestone because of how the journey began. While the first Fukrey in 2013 opened to a tiny and negligible day-one number, it eventually achieved an incredible sleeper hit status purely through positive word-of-mouth. This shows that in the comedy genre, audience appreciation can often override a slow start at the ticket windows, a trend Dhamaal 4 will be looking to capitalize on as it moves through its first weekend. Fukrey Franchise: Fukrey | Worldwide: ₹50.70 Cr Fukrey Returns | Worldwide: ₹112.30 Cr Fukrey 3 | Worldwide: ₹127.75 Cr (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The Dhamaal franchise, however, is the one in focus today. Before the release of the fourth installment, the series stood at a combined ₹354.48 crore. Total Dhamaal in 2019 was the turning point, achieving blockbuster status in mass territories like Gujarat and settling at a colossal ₹155.67 crore net in India. For Dhamaal 4 to push the franchise into the third spot, it needs to overtake the Welcome series, which currently sits at ₹468.26 crore. This means Dhamaal 4 needs a lifetime worldwide gross of roughly ₹114 crore—a figure that looks very achievable given the initial trends. Dhamaal Franchise: Dhamaal | Worldwide: ₹51.30 Cr Double Dhamaal | Worldwide: ₹71.00 Cr Total Dhamaal | Worldwide: ₹232.18 Cr Based on the final advance booking data, Dhamaal 4 has sold approximately 92.81K tickets on BookMyShow, trending ahead of films like OMG 2 and Jolly LLB 3. The total Day 1 advance gross stands at ₹2.57 crore without block seats and ₹5.79 crore with them. Historically, these mass-market comedies see a huge surge in spot bookings for evening shows. National chains like PVR, INOX, and Cinepolis have contributed 1.65 crore to the gross, showing that the urban audience is turning up. If the film follows the growth pattern of its predecessor, we are looking at an opening day India net in the range of ₹9 to ₹11 crore. While this is lower than the ₹16 crore opening of Total Dhamaal, a steady weekend could easily propel the film toward a healthy lifetime total. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The real test for the film will be its performance in mass circuits like Maharashtra and Gujarat, which have historically been the backbone for the Dhamaal and Golmaal films. Maharashtra is already leading the charts today with a gross of nearly 60 lakh in advance sales. If the film manages to sustain its momentum through the weekend, it will comfortably cement the Dhamaal series as one of the most bankable comedy brands in the country.

BY SACNILK

Mumbai, July 10 - Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar's Welcome To The Jungle has continued its good theatrical run by collecting around 32 crore net in its second week at the Indian box office. Despite facing fresh competition and a reduction in screens, the comedy entertainer has displayed stability, taking its two-week domestic total to around 125 crore net. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The Ahmed Khan directorial maintained a steady hold throughout its second week, driven largely by family audiences and positive word of mouth. While weekday collections naturally slowed after a strong opening week, the film's healthy trend ensured a good second-week total of 32 crore net, keeping it comfortably among the biggest Hindi successes of the year. The film now enters its third week with Ajay Devgn's Dhamaal 4 arriving in cinemas today. As a direct comedy release, Dhamaal 4 is expected to take away a significant share of screens and show timings, making the coming days more challenging for Welcome To The Jungle. Even so, if the film manages to retain a section of its family audience, it remains on course to finish its theatrical run in the 150 crore net range in India. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Worldwide, Welcome 3 has collected approximately 180 crores in 14 days so far, eyeing a 215-225 crores finish, which is a good result. Featuring a massive ensemble cast including Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty, Paresh Rawal, Arshad Warsi, Tusshar Kapoor, Shreyas Talpade, Jacqueline Fernandez, Disha Patani and several others, Welcome To The Jungle has emerged as a crowd-pleasing commercial entertainer. Its consistent box office performance over two weeks has reaffirmed the enduring popularity of the Welcome franchise and positioned the film for a strong lifetime finish. It also marked Akshay Kumar's return to the franchise after leading the original Welcome in 2007. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Welcome Franchise Box Office Collection S. No. Movie Year Second Week Lifetime India Net 1 Welcome 2007 ₹19.30 Cr ₹70.15 Cr 2 Welcome Back 2015 ₹18.70 Cr ₹96.55 Cr 3 Welcome To The Jungle 2026 ₹31.90 Cr ₹125+ Cr* As of July 9, 2026.

BY SACNILK

Mumbai, July 10 - Alia Bhatt and Sharvari-starrer Alpha has completed its first week at the Indian box office with a modest 47.50 crore net. The film did decently considering the immense negativity, but it failed to live up to the high expectations YRF Spy Universe has set over the years with blockbuster starts. The Yash Raj Films spy thriller witnessed a decent opening weekend. Still, it could not maintain the momentum during the weekdays, resulting in the lowest first-week total (not surprisingly) among all films in the YRF Spy Universe. Directed by Shiv Rawail, Alpha opened with 9.25 crore net on its first day and showed growth over the weekend. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) However, collections dropped considerably from Monday onwards, with the discounted ticket offer providing only a limited boost. It is going to be tough for Alpha to score going forward due to the new releases and strong holdovers occupying maximum screens, leaving little room for actioner to cover the lost ground. As said, among all seven released films in the YRF Spy Universe, Alpha has registered the lowest first-week collection by a considerable margin. Shah Rukh Khan-led Pathaan continues to hold the record with a phenomenal 350+ crore net in its opening week, while the rest of the films also opened huge. The failure of Alpha could be the final nail in the coffin for the YRF Spy Universe, which has been losing its mojo for the last couple of films. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) YRF Spy Universe First Week India Net Box Office (Hindi) S. No. Movie Year 1st Week India Net 1 Pathaan 2023 ₹351.00 Cr 2 War 2019 ₹228.50 Cr 3 Tiger Zinda Hai 2017 ₹206.00 Cr 4 Tiger 3 2023 ₹183.00 Cr 5 Ek Tha Tiger 2012 ₹154.20 Cr 6 War 2 2025 ₹150.40 Cr 7 Alpha 2026 ₹47.50 Cr Note: Including extended week (Tiger 3 - 5 days)

BY SACNILK

Dhamaal 4 released in theatres today, July 10, 2026, opening as one of the most anticipated family entertainers of the year. The film marks the return of one of Bollywood's most successful comedy franchises, which has collectively grossed approximately ₹355 crore across its previous three installments. The fourth part looks to build on that legacy with a mix of returning favorites and new faces. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The film sees Ajay Devgn, Riteish Deshmukh, and Arshad Warsi returning to the madness, this time joined by Ravi Kishan, Sanjeeda Shaikh, and Esha Gupta. Deviating from the standard road-trip formula, Dhamaal 4 introduces sea pirates and supernatural elements as the gang tracks down a ₹50 crore treasure. Notably, the film received a UA 13+ rating from the CBFC with zero scene cuts, making it a wide-access film for family audiences. Initial trends suggest the film is finding its footing in major circuits like Maharashtra and Delhi-NCR. While the franchise started in 2007 as a cult comedy inspired by the Hollywood classic 'It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World', the fourth installment aims to capture the box office momentum seen by Total Dhamaal. The coming hours will be crucial to see how spot bookings translate into the final Day 1 numbers. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) LIVE BLOG 08:50 PM (IST) 10 JUL 2026 Live Update: Evening Shows On Fire; Nears ₹10 Crore Net Mark Dhamaal 4 is witnessing an explosive trend as night approaches. The film has recorded a massive jump in occupancy, with evening shows hitting 24.85%—nearly triple the morning show occupancy of 8.38%. As of 8:30 PM, the film has minted ₹8.90 crore net across 9,343 shows, bringing its total India gross to ₹10.50 crore so far. The momentum on BookMyShow is currently at its peak, with 19,540 tickets sold between 7 PM and 8 PM alone. This takes the total tickets sold since 7 AM this morning to an incredible 1,54,580. 04:05 PM (IST) 10 JUL 2026 Live Update: Afternoon Shows Surge; Collections Cross ₹3 Crore Net Dhamaal 4 is witnessing a massive surge in momentum as the evening shows approach. The film has officially crossed the ₹3 crore net mark, currently standing at ₹3.44 crore net (₹4.06 crore gross) across 5,724 tracked shows in India. The ticket sales on BookMyShow are currently in explosive mode. Between 3 PM and 4 PM alone, the film sold 15,850 tickets, maintaining the high pace seen in the previous hour (15,680 tickets). This brings the total tickets sold on the platform since 7 AM this morning to a staggering 90,320. With the film trending at nearly 16K tickets per hour, the night shows are expected to witness heavy capacity across multiplexes. 01:30 PM (IST) 10 JUL 2026 Live Update: Morning Occupancy Steady; Collections Near ₹2 Crore Mark Dhamaal 4 has recorded a steady morning occupancy of 8.38% for its Hindi (2D) version. As of 1:30 PM, the film has minted ₹1.82 crore net (₹2.15 crore gross) across 4,048 tracked shows in India. The momentum on BookMyShow remains strong, with 12,510 tickets sold between 12 PM and 1 PM alone. This takes the total tickets sold since 7 AM this morning to 45,770. 12:30 PM (IST) 10 JUL 2026 Live Update: Joginder Tuteja Interval Report - A HIT Loading Trade analyst Joginder Tuteja has shared a very positive interval report for Dhamaal 4, noting that the film is far more entertaining than its trailer suggested. He highlighted the very fast-paced screenplay, mentioning that the first hour and 15 minutes went by quickly. Tuteja particularly pointed out that the humor is well-designed for kids, which is rare in current Bollywood films, and concluded that if the second half holds up, a HIT is loading. #Dhamaal4 #IntervalReportThe film is far more entertaining than the trailer and the best part is that it’s very very very fast paced. 1:15 hour just went by in a jiffy. The humour element is designed especially for the kids, which is so rare in #Bollywood today. Second half… pic.twitter.com/kyuzXeQdSd— Joginder Tuteja (@Tutejajoginder) July 10, 2026 12:25 PM (IST) 10 JUL 2026 Live Update: Crosses ₹1 Crore Net Mark; Ticket Sales Spike Dhamaal 4 is showing significant momentum as it enters the afternoon shows. As of now, the film has minted ₹1.10 crore net across 3,558 tracked shows in India, bringing its total gross collections to ₹1.30 crore so far. The booking pace on BookMyShow has witnessed a sharp spike, with 11,330 tickets sold between 11 AM and 12 PM alone. This takes the total tickets sold since 7 AM this morning to an impressive 33,260. The trend indicates strong walk-in numbers as the day progresses, with final first-day figures expected to be much higher. 12:15 PM (IST) 10 JUL 2026 Live Update: Taran Adarsh Calls Dhamaal 4 "MAZEDAAR" Renowned film critic Taran Adarsh has shared his review for Dhamaal 4, giving it a 3.5-star rating and calling it MAZEDAAR. He noted that the film lives up to its title with LOL moments throughout the first half and an excellent post-interval sequence. While describing it as a stressbuster that doesn't require logic, he specifically praised the spot-on comic timing of Ajay Devgn and Sanjay Mishra. Riteish Deshmukh also earned high marks for his emotional switch in the climax, alongside refreshing energy brought in by Ravi Kishan and Sanjeeda Shaikh. #OneWordReview...#Dhamaal4: MAZEDAAR.Rating: ⭐⭐⭐️½#Dhamaal4 lives up to its title, taking the madness to an altogether new level... LOL moments in first half, excellent post interval, with tadka of emotions in climax... Don't look for logic – this one's a stressbuster.… pic.twitter.com/4EvlaKRVhj— taran adarsh (@taran_adarsh) July 9, 2026 09:30 AM (IST) 10 JUL 2026 Live Update: Early Morning Box Office Tracking As of Day 1, Dhamaal 4 is currently running across 51 shows and has collected a net of ₹0.02 Cr Live today. This brings total India gross collections to ₹0.02 Cr and total India net to ₹0.02 Cr so far, with India final collections yet to be reported. 10:15 AM (IST) 10 JUL 2026 Live Update: Morning Ticket Sales Momentum The film continues to see steady movement on BookMyShow as more theater shows open up. Between 9:00 AM and 10:00 AM today, Dhamaal 4 sold 6,770 tickets. This brings the total tickets sold since 7:00 AM this morning to 12,660. The accelerating pace indicates healthy interest for the morning and matinee shows across major cities. 8:30 AM (IST) 10 JUL 2026 Live Update: Final Advance Booking Reports Dhamaal 4 has concluded its pre-sales on a stable note, showing a significant surge in momentum during the final 24 hours. The film sold approximately 92.81K tickets on BookMyShow, which places its pre-sales ahead of notable films like Crew (98K), OMG 2 (90K), and Jolly LLB 3 (88K). The booking trend saw a sharp rise towards the end, jumping from 21K tickets sold on July 8 to over 65K on July 9 alone. In the national chains (PVR, INOX, and Cinepolis), the film sold nearly 45,000 tickets, contributing approximately ₹1.65 crore to the gross. PVR led the three chains with 23.4K tickets (₹92 lakh), followed by INOX with 15.4K tickets (₹52.7 lakh) and Cinepolis with 6.2K tickets (₹20.7 lakh). Overall, the total Day 1 advance gross for all of India stands at ₹2.57 crore without block seats. When including block seats, the figure reaches ₹5.79 crore. A total of 96,720 tickets were sold across all versions before the first show commenced. Geographically, Maharashtra is the top-performing state for the film, recording a real gross of ₹59.4 lakh (₹1.2 crore with block seats). Delhi followed with ₹42.9 lakh, while Gujarat contributed ₹22.9 lakh to the opening day advance totals. In terms of major regions, the National Capital Region (NCR) and Mumbai showed the highest occupancy, both hovering around the 4% mark in early reports. The total Day 1 advance gross (excluding block seats) stands at ₹2.57 crore, while the figure with block seats reaches ₹5.79 crore. Geographically, Maharashtra led the charts with a gross of ₹59.4 lakh, followed by Delhi at ₹42.9 lakh. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) @keyframes pulse { 0% { opacity: 1; } 50% { opacity: 0.2; } 100% { opacity: 1; } } .blinking-dot { height: 10px; width: 10px; background-color: white; border-radius: 50%; display: inline-block; animation: pulse 1.2s infinite ease-in-out; } { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "LiveBlogPosting", "headline": "Dhamaal 4 Box Office Collection Day 1 Live Update", "description": "Live updates and analysis for Dhamaal 4 Day 1 box office performance and advance booking.", "liveBlogUpdate": [ { "@type": "BlogPosting", "headline": "Dhamaal 4 Final Advance Booking Report", "datePublished": "2026-07-10T10:00:00+05:30", "articleBody": "Dhamaal 4 finishes pre-sales with 92.8K tickets sold on BMS and a gross of 2.57 Cr excluding block seats." } ] }

BY SACNILK

Mumbai, July 9 - Ajay Devgn returns to the big screen with Dhamaal 4, the fourth instalment in the popular comedy franchise directed by Indra Kumar. The film is set to release in cinemas on July 10 and has generated decent pre-release buzz among family audiences. Riding on the franchise's popularity and the genre's appeal, the film is expected to register a decent opening at the Indian box office. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Based on the current trend, Dhamaal 4 is expected to collect 12-14 crore net on its opening day in India. As of 8 PM on Thursday, the film has recorded 5 crore+ gross in advance bookings (with block seats) for Day 1, with final pre-sales expected to close at around 6 crore+ gross. These numbers are almost identical to the booking of Akshay Kumar's Welcome To The Jungle before its release. Despite similar advance sales, the box office trajectory of the two films is slightly different. Welcome To The Jungle went on to open at 15 crore+ net (19 crore net with previews), largely because its paid previews generated positive word of mouth before the official opening day, resulting in a surge in spot bookings from morning shows themselves. Dhamaal 4 does not have the benefit of paid previews, making its opening more dependent on Friday's audience response. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Nevertheless, the film still has the potential to exceed expectations. Comedy entertainers traditionally rely heavily on spot bookings and walk-in audiences, especially in mass circuits and smaller centres. If the initial audience reactions are positive, Dhamaal 4 could witness a strong jump in evening and night shows, giving it a realistic chance of touching the 15 crore net mark on its opening day. Positive word of mouth will be the key factor in determining whether the film can outperform its current projections.

BY SACNILK

Mumbai, July 9 - Sidharth Malhotra's much-awaited folk thriller Vvan: Force of the Forest has officially shifted its theatrical release date and will now arrive in cinemas on September 25, 2026. The move comes as a strategic decision by the makers to avoid the crowded late-August release window, which was set to witness a high-profile three-way clash with Shraddha Kapoor's Eetha and Yash's pan-India action spectacle Toxic. Vvan, which stars Sidharth Malhotra and Tamannaah Bhatia in the lead, was previously scheduled to release on August 28, 2026. However, with Toxic now locked for August 26 and Eetha also coming on August 28, the makers have opted to push the film by nearly a month to secure a cleaner release window and maximise its box office potential. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Directed by Deepak Mishra, Vvan is positioned as a rooted folklore-based thriller backed by Balaji Motion Pictures, TVF Motion Pictures, and 11:11 Productions. The film marks Sidharth Malhotra's return to the big screen in a genre that blends mythology, mystery, and supernatural elements, making it one of the most anticipated Hindi releases of the year. The new release date gives Vvan a significantly better opportunity at the box office by avoiding direct competition for screens and premium formats. With Toxic expected to dominate the Pan India market upon release and Eetha carrying strong anticipation of its own, the September 25 slot offers Vvan a more favourable theatrical runway ahead of the festive season.

BY SACNILK

The Welcome franchise has established itself as one of the most resilient comedy brands in Indian cinema over the last two decades. The journey began in 2007 with the first film grossing roughly 119.50 crore worldwide, followed by Welcome Back in 2015 which earned approximately 168.70 crore. Together, the first two installments brought in a combined worldwide gross of 288.20 crore. Now, with the third part, Welcome To The Jungle, the franchise is expanding significantly, already pushing the collective total well past the 460 crore mark globally. Featuring a massive ensemble led by Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty, and Paresh Rawal, this film has managed to sustain interest by leaning into the nostalgic value of the brand. Looking at the Day 13 box office numbers, which fell on its second Wednesday, Welcome To The Jungle collected a net of 2.35 crore across India. This represents a 21.7 percent drop from the previous day’s net of 3.00 crore. While mid-week dips are expected for big-budget entertainers in their second week, the film maintained a presence across 6,372 shows during the day. This brings its total India net collection to 122.90 crore and its total India gross to 146.10 crore. When we look at the cumulative footprint, these numbers have been achieved through a massive scheduling of over 1.13 lakh shows since its release. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The international market has provided a steady cushion to the overall totals. On its thirteenth day, the film added 0.50 crore from overseas territories, taking its total overseas gross to 31.45 crore. According to data tracked by Venky Box Office, the film earned 37,000 dollars (approx. 31 lakh) in North America on Tuesday, pushing its total in that region to 1.51 million dollars (approx. 12.65 crore). When we combine the domestic and international figures, the total worldwide gross collection for Welcome To The Jungle currently stands at 177.55 crore. The major national cinema chains provides a detailed look at urban audience engagement. PVR led the contributions with approximately 4,700 tickets sold for a gross of 12.90 lakh. INOX followed with about 3,100 tickets and a gross of 7.20 lakh, while Cinepolis accounted for roughly 1,650 tickets with a gross of 3.60 lakh. Collectively, these chains sold approximately 9,450 tickets, contributing around 23 lakh to the day's earnings. The overall occupancy for the Hindi 2D version stood at 11.92 percent on Wednesday, with night shows showing the best footfalls at 16.08 percent. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Regional performance remains fairly consistent across the major hubs. The National Capital Region recorded an occupancy of 11 percent across 670 shows, while Mumbai saw slightly higher engagement at 12 percent from 421 shows. Cities like Bengaluru and Pune also hovered around the 11 to 12 percent mark. Digital engagement on BookMyShow also remains visible, with 30,940 tickets booked on Wednesday following a high of 54,120 on Tuesday. This brings the total number of tickets sold on the platform to approximately 21.93 lakh so far. Amidst this theatrical run, director Ahmed Khan has shared some significant updates regarding the future of the franchise. In an exclusive conversation with Koimoi, the filmmaker officially confirmed that Welcome 4 is already in the development pipeline. While his immediate priority is launching his son Azaan, he mentioned that the next part of the Welcome series will be his subsequent project. Ahmed Khan also hinted at having a packed schedule with multiple event films in development with producers like Firoze Nadiadwala and Sajid Nadiadwala. The confirmation of a fourth part, coming just as the third installment crosses major domestic milestones, suggests that the producers are keen on maintaining the momentum of this comedy universe. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) With its worldwide gross approaching the 180 crore mark, Welcome To The Jungle has managed to scale higher than the original 2007 film and is closing the gap with the second installment. The focus for the coming weekend will be on how much further it can push its totals before new releases arrive. For a franchise that relies heavily on ensemble energy and family-friendly humor, the current trajectory indicates that there is still a significant appetite for this brand of entertainment on the big screen.

BY SACNILK

Mumbai, July 9 - After the massive success of Chhaava and a potential big success of the upcoming film Eetha, director Laxman Utekar is reportedly setting the wheels in motion for his next directorial venture. According to the latest industry reports, the director has approached Hrithik Roshan to headline an ambitious new film, although the project is still in its early stages and no agreement has been finalised yet. As per a Variety India report, Laxman Utekar recently narrated the script to Hrithik Roshan, who is said to have responded positively to the concept. However, the superstar is yet to make a final decision, as he is currently occupied with multiple commitments. If everything falls into place, the project will mark the first-ever collaboration between the actor and the acclaimed filmmaker. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Laxman Utekar has emerged as one of Bollywood's most successful directors in recent years with films such as Luka Chuppi, Mimi, Zara Hatke Zara Bachke, and the blockbuster historical drama Chhaava. He is currently awaiting the release of Eetha, a biographical drama starring Shraddha Kapoor, before moving on to his next feature. Meanwhile, Hrithik Roshan has an exciting slate ahead. The actor is currently focused on the pre-production of his directorial debut, Krrish 4. He will be next seen in Rajinikanth's Jailer 2 as he has already shot his cameo on June 22 and June 23 in Chennai. While reports of his collaboration with Laxman Utekar have generated considerable buzz, the project may take some time to start as Hrithik also has a movie with Hombale Films.

BY SACNILK

The Dhamaal franchise has been a staple of Hindi comedy for years, known for its slapstick humor and an ensemble cast that usually brings chaos to the screen. As Indra Kumar prepares to release the fourth installment, Dhamaal 4, tomorrow on July 10, there is already significant news regarding the future of the series. According to a report by Bollywood Hungama, the makers are so confident in the latest film that they have ended it with a direct hint of a sequel. A source mentioned that a specific sequence at the end of the movie indicates that Dhamaal 5 is already in the offing, promising another madcap entertainer for the fans. Directed by Indra Kumar, Dhamaal 4 sees the return of the franchise core members including Ajay Devgn, Riteish Deshmukh, Arshad Warsi, Sanjay Mishra, and Jaaved Jaaferi. To keep the dynamic fresh, new faces like Esha Gupta, Sanjeeda Shaikh, Anjali Anand, and Ravi Kishan have been added to the mix. The film is produced by a large team including Ajay Devgn and Bhushan Kumar, and the industry is keeping a close eye on how this ensemble will perform at the box office. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Looking at the advance booking numbers, the film is showing a decent buildup for its opening day. So far, the all-India advance booking gross stands at 1.13 crore, excluding block seats. If we include block seats, that figure jumps to approximately 3.33 crore. A total of 44,659 tickets have been sold across 7,626 shows for the first day. Most of the sales are coming from the standard 2D format, which has contributed nearly the entire gross amount, while premium formats like 4DX are just beginning to see some movement. As we reach midday on July 9, the performance in national cinema chains is showing steady growth leading into tomorrow's release. Based on the latest tracking, PVR has sold approximately 7,100 tickets for a gross of 29.30 lakh. INOX follows with about 3,550 tickets and a gross of 10.95 lakh, while Cinepolis has added roughly 1,030 tickets for a gross of 3.35 lakh. In total, these major national chains have already accounted for approximately over 11,000 tickets and a combined gross of around 43 lakh as the film enters its final countdown before hitting theaters. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The momentum on digital platforms like BookMyShow also indicates a rising interest as the release date nears. On July 7, the platform saw 6,170 tickets booked, which significantly increased to 21,260 tickets on July 8. This brings the total tickets sold on the platform to approximately 27,430 so far. More recent tracking shows that between 11 am and 12 pm today, another 2,100 tickets were sold, bringing the total since 9 am this morning to 5,220 tickets. This hourly acceleration is a good sign for the film's spot bookings tomorrow. Regionally, the National Capital Region and Mumbai are the primary drivers for the advance bookings. NCR has recorded a gross of 21.48 lakh across 948 shows, a figure that goes up to 66.68 lakh if we include block seats. Mumbai follows with 19.47 lakh from 744 shows, reaching 41.32 lakh with block seats. While real occupancy in these major hubs currently stands at 2 percent, both cities have already seen one almost full show and several filling fast statuses. Hyderabad is performing slightly better in terms of engagement with a 5 percent occupancy across 230 shows, earning 6.18 lakh. Interestingly, Chennai reports the highest occupancy at 14 percent despite having a smaller window of 59 shows, contributing 2.37 lakh. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) In other markets, Ahmedabad has grossed 4.26 lakh across 438 shows, while Jaipur and Bengaluru have collected 3.85 lakh and 3.33 lakh respectively. Other cities like Pune, Kolkata, and Surat are currently seeing more modest movement, with gross totals ranging from 1.50 lakh to 2.90 lakh. Although overall occupancy levels are mostly around 1 percent right now, the presence of filling fast shows across multiple regions indicates that demand is starting to pick up. With the news of a fifth installment already being teased, the makers of Dhamaal 4 seem to be leveraging the strong franchise recall across these major urban centers.