BY CHRISTA LINCY

The collaboration between Allu Arjun and director Atlee for their upcoming film Raaka is taking the Indian film industry by storm with its massive scale. According to an exclusive report by India Today, this project is no longer just a single film but has been expanded into a two-part franchise. The sheer ambition of the project is reflected in its staggering budget, which is currently estimated to be around 1,000 crore, making it one of the most expensive cinematic ventures ever attempted in the country. What makes Raaka particularly interesting is its narrative structure, which aims to bridge the gap between ancient mythology and the modern day. The film is set to weave together two entirely different worlds across distinct timelines. One major segment of the story will transport audiences back to a tribal Puranic Vedic era, a period that promises to showcase a unique aesthetic rarely explored with such high-end production values. The second segment will contrast this by bringing the story into a modern contemporary world. This dual-timeline approach suggests a deep, interconnected mystery between the ancestral past and the present, with Allu Arjun at the center of the narrative. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The casting choices for the film further highlight the divide between these two distinct eras. In the contemporary setting, Mrunal Thakur is set to play a lead role. Meanwhile, the historical Puranic Vedic segment will feature an incredible trio of leading ladies, including Deepika Padukone, Janhvi Kapoor, and Rashmika Mandanna. Having four major stars like this in a single project shows the level of world-building Atlee is putting into the franchise, ensuring that both parts carry significant star power and narrative weight across the different time periods. Beyond the primary cast, the film continues to generate headlines with its high-profile special appearances. The much-anticipated cameo by Shah Rukh Khan remains a key highlight for fans. It is reported that his portions are yet to be filmed and are currently being planned for an international schedule overseas to match the global aesthetic the makers are aiming for. Despite the complexity of filming two separate timelines and managing such a massive ensemble, industry reports suggest that the team intends to complete the principal photography for both parts before the end of this year. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) While the production house has kept specific plot points under wraps, the vision for Raaka is clearly aimed at creating a landmark cinematic experience. By moving away from a standalone format and embracing a two-part franchise model, Atlee and Allu Arjun are giving the story the room it needs to breathe.

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, July 29 - Marvel Studios and Sony Pictures' Spider-Man: Brand New Day is rewriting the record books even before hitting the big screens in India. The Tom Holland-led superhero blockbuster has registered unprecedented demand across the country, putting it on course to deliver the biggest opening ever for a non-Indian film. With bookings continuing to surge, the film is now within touching distance of surpassing Avengers: Endgame's long-standing pre-sales record. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) According to the latest update, Spider-Man: Brand New Day has sold approximately 85+ crore gross worth of tickets for its opening weekend, including around 45+ crore gross for the opening day alone. The film is expected to overtake Avengers: Endgame's estimated 90 crore opening weekend advance booking before the first show begins and could even become the first Hollywood release in India to touch the 100 crore gross pre-sales milestone. These are unprecedented numbers for a non-Indian title and reflect the extraordinary anticipation surrounding the latest Spider-Man adventure. The massive bookings have put Brand New Day firmly on track for a historic debut at the Indian box office. Industry projections suggest the film is capable of delivering the biggest opening day and opening weekend ever for a Hollywood release in India, surpassing the benchmarks established by Avengers: Endgame. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Strong occupancy across premium formats, coupled with exceptional momentum in national multiplex chains, has fueled confidence that the film will shatter multiple box office records over its first four days. The record-breaking trend is mirrored worldwide, where Spider-Man: Brand New Day is tracking for one of the biggest global openings in cinema history. With exceptional pre-sales across major international markets and overwhelmingly positive early buzz, the Marvel blockbuster is poised to begin its theatrical run with a historic worldwide opening, further cementing Spider-Man's status as one of the biggest cinematic brands on the planet. It is scheduled to release on July 30 in India in multiple languages.

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, July 29 - The cast of director Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana Part 1 is not only gearing up for one of the biggest Indian films ever made but is also preparing for an incredibly busy theatrical window. Several of the film's lead actors have two major releases within roughly three months, either before or after Ramayana Part 1, ensuring they remain in the spotlight throughout the festive season and into early 2027. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Ranbir Kapoor, who plays Lord Rama, will first headline Ramayana Part 1, slated for a grand Diwali 2026 release, before reuniting with Sanjay Leela Bhansali for Love & War, which is scheduled to hit theatres on January 21, 2027. The gap between the two releases is less than three months, giving the actor back-to-back event films in completely different genres. Yash, who essays Ravana in Ramayana, will kick off his theatrical run with the action thriller Toxic on August 26, 2026, which will be his first release in 4 years since the mega blockbuster KGF: Chapter 2. He will then return to the big screen during the Diwali season with Ramayana Part 1, making it two of the year's biggest pan-Indian releases within a short span. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Sunny Deol is also set for a packed release schedule. The actor will first arrive with the period drama Batwara 1947 on August 14, 2026, before portraying Hanuman in Ramayana Part 1 during Diwali. He also has the emotional drama, Gabru, ready for release. Similarly, Sai Pallavi will be seen in Dhanush-fronted OM Chapter 1 on October 16, 2026, followed shortly by her portrayal of Sita in Ramayana Part 1. With blockbuster titles such as Toxic, Batwara 1947, OM, Ramayana Part 1, and Love & War arriving within a compact three-month window, the ensemble cast of Ramayana is poised to dominate the box office conversation. It is rare for so many stars from a single film to have multiple high-profile theatrical releases clustered so closely together, making the final months of 2026 and the beginning of 2027 particularly significant for Indian cinema.

BY CHRISTA LINCY

Spider-Man: Brand New Day is currently witnessing a massive wave of excitement across the Indian box office. The wall-crawler has always been a favorite in the Indian market, but the pre-sales numbers for this latest installment suggest we are looking at something truly historic. As of now, the film has already sold a gigantic 1.3 million tickets in advance on BookMyShow alone. This incredible surge has placed the movie at the number eight spot for the best pre-sales on the platform since August 2023, and the momentum is not showing any signs of slowing down. When we dive into the data from the national cinema chains—PVR, INOX, and Cinepolis—the performance is even more striking. For the release date of July 30, the film has already locked in approximately 3,69,500 tickets. This has resulted in a staggering advance gross of over 18 crore from these major multiplexes alone. If we break down these numbers, PVR leads the charge with about 1,76,100 tickets, followed by INOX with 1,20,400 tickets, and Cinepolis contributing 73,000 tickets. These figures represent an elite level of interest that is usually reserved for the biggest Marvel crossover events. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The interest remains strong for the second day as well. For Friday, July 31, the national chains have already sold approximately 1,97,400 tickets, which has brought in an additional of over 10 crore in gross collections. PVR has moved about 1,04,200 tickets for the second day, while INOX and Cinepolis have sold 59,600 and 33,600 tickets respectively. Seeing nearly 2 lakh tickets sold for a second day while the first day is still in pre-sales mode is a clear indicator that the film is heading for a massive opening weekend. To understand the scale of this performance, we have to look at how it compares to previous Hollywood blockbusters in India. Trade analysts are projecting that Spider-Man: Brand New Day is firmly on track to close its total pre-sales at over 5,00,000 tickets across national chains. If it hits this mark, it will comfortably surpass the record set by Avengers: Infinity War, which sold 4,86,000 tickets. This would make it the third-highest Hollywood advance-seller of all time in the country, trailing only its predecessor Spider-Man: No Way Home and the all-time record holder, Avengers: Endgame. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The hype surrounding this film is fueled by several factors. Following the emotional conclusion of the previous film, fans are eager to see Tom Holland's Peter Parker navigate a world where no one remembers him. The inclusion of the Hulk in the promotional material has also sent ripples through the fanbase, suggesting a new and unexpected team-up within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Furthermore, the film is being heavily promoted for premium formats like 4DX and IMAX, which are driving a significant portion of the higher-priced ticket sales in urban centers. With an overall occupancy of nearly 39 percent for the first day based on current bookings, the film is dominating theater schedules. In some premium venues, evening and night shows are already nearing capacity. Given the current rate of hourly bookings, the 5 lakh ticket milestone seems almost certain. Here is how the film currently stands compared to the top Hollywood performers in terms of first-day ticket sales at national chains. Top Hollywood Openings - National Chain Ticket Sales (Approximate)HOLLYWOOD MOVIETICKETS SOLD (PIC)Avengers: Endgame10,25,000Spider-Man: No Way Home5,50,000Avengers: Infinity War4,86,000Spider-Man: Brand New Day3,69,500*Doctor Strange: Multiverse of Madness3,90,000 Note: The figure for Brand New Day reflects current pre-sales and is expected to climb significantly before release.

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, July 22 - The final month of 2026 is shaping up to be an absolute blockbuster for moviegoers. Bollywood, pan-Indian cinema, and Hollywood are all bringing some of their biggest titles within a span of just three weeks, setting the stage for one of the most competitive months in box office history. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) With multiple event films eyeing premium screens, IMAX auditoriums, and the lucrative holiday season, December could witness several high-profile clashes. The action kicks off on December 3 with Prabhas' Fauzi, directed by Hanu Raghavapudi. The pan-India spectacle is one of the most anticipated films, and will be dominating screens nationwide. Just a day later, Ajay Devgn's Ranger arrives on December 4, while Akshay Kumar's upcoming comedy with Anees Bazmee is also targeting the same day release. That means the opening week itself could see three major commercial entertainers competing for audiences across the country, if the release dates remain unchanged. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The biggest Hollywood showdown is reserved for December 18, when Marvel Studios' Avengers: Doomsday goes head-to-head with Denis Villeneuve's Dune Part 3 (Dune: Messiah). Both films are expected to command a massive IMAX presence worldwide, creating an intense battle for premium screens in India as well. The simultaneous release of two of the year's most anticipated Hollywood blockbusters is likely to have a significant impact on screen allocation. Come this Christmas, superstar Shah Rukh Khan's highly-awaited King is releasing on December 24, giving Bollywood another mega event release during the lucrative holiday period. Directed by Siddharth Anand, the action thriller is expected to be one of the biggest Indian films of 2026 and will arrive just days after the Hollywood heavyweights. A day later, Hollywood blockbuster Jumanji: The Open World hits the big screens, making the competition further intense. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Major Movies Releasing In December 2026 S. No. Movie Lead Actor(s) Director Release Date 1 Fauzi Prabhas Hanu Raghavapudi December 3, 2026 2 Untitled Akshay Kumar-Anees Bazmee Film Akshay Kumar Anees Bazmee First Week of December 2026 3 Ranger Ajay Devgn Jagan Shakti December 4, 2026 4 Avengers: Doomsday Robert Downey Jr. & Ensemble Anthony Russo & Joe Russo December 18, 2026 5 Dune: Messiah (Dune 3) Timothée Chalamet Denis Villeneuve December 18, 2026 6 King Shah Rukh Khan Siddharth Anand December 24, 2026 7 Jumanji: Open World Dwayne Johnson Jake Kasdan December 25, 2026

BY CHRISTA LINCY

Dhamaal 4 is showing surprising resilience as it moves through its third week. For a comedy franchise that relies on repeat value and family audiences, the film is holding its ground despite newer competition. On its nineteenth day, which was its third Tuesday, the movie brought in a net collection of 2.10 crore. This is a notable 31.3 percent jump from Monday's 1.60 crore, suggesting that the film is benefiting from mid-week theater-goers and perhaps a steady word-of-mouth trail. This growth is particularly impressive because the film is currently navigating a market with strong holdover like The Odyssey, which continues to see good traction in India. While it currently sits as the fourth highest-grossing Bollywood film of the year, catching up to Bhooth Bangla will be a challenge. The road ahead is packed with upcoming releases like Batwara 1947 and Awarapan 2, plus the major Hollywood arrival of Spider-Man, which will make securing screens much tougher in the coming weeks. If we look at the broader picture, the India gross collection has now reached 182.32 crore, which translates to a domestic net total of 153.35 crore. The film has also found some traction abroad, adding 0.25 crore on Tuesday to bring its total overseas gross to 29.45 crore. Combining the domestic and international business, the worldwide gross for Dhamaal 4 now stands at 211.77 crore. This milestone is significant because it puts the film in striking distance of some of Ajay Devgn's biggest career hits. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Ticket sales on BookMyShow reflect this late-week surge. On Monday, the film sold about 27,900 tickets, but that number climbed to 39,250 on Tuesday. In total, the film has sold over 26.56 lakh tickets on the platform since its release. In the national cinema chains—PVR, INOX, and Cinepolis—it currently stands as the third highest-selling movie, trailing only behind the massive holdover of The Odyssey and the recent hit Jana Nayagan. Looking at the daily advance figures for these chains, the film generated a gross of approximately 32.3 lakh. This came from around 16.7 lakh at PVR, 11.1 lakh at INOX, and 4.5 lakh at Cinepolis, totaling roughly 23,400 tickets sold across these venues. The regional occupancy for the Hindi 2D version shows that the National Capital Region (NCR) remains a stronghold with 21.3 percent occupancy across 620 shows. Mumbai followed with 17.8 percent occupancy across 405 shows, while Pune recorded a healthy 17.3 percent. Other regions like Ahmedabad and Surat saw lower overall occupancy but maintained strong night show turnouts, often peaking near 26 to 29 percent. This trend of evening and night show growth is helping the film sustain its daily numbers. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) In terms of annual rankings, Dhamaal 4 is currently the fourth highest-grossing Bollywood movie of the year. It trails behind Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge, Border 2, and Bhooth Bangla. While it is performing well, surpassing Bhooth Bangla might be a tall order. The upcoming schedule is crowded with major releases like Batwara and Awarapan on the domestic front, alongside Hollywood heavyweights like Spider-Man. Additionally, the continued dominance of The Odyssey makes it difficult for any holdover film to claim more screen space. For Ajay Devgn, this film is another strong addition to his box office portfolio. It is currently very close to surpassing Singham Returns, which earned 216.56 crore worldwide. Once it crosses that mark, it will cement its place among his most successful leading roles. To give you some context on where this film stands compared to his other major solo hits, here is the ranking of his top movies based on worldwide gross collection. Top 5 Leading Role Movies of Ajay Devgn - Worldwide Gross CollectionMOVIE NAMEWORLDWIDE GROSSTanhaji: The Unsung Warrior₹ 361.00 CrDrishyam 2₹ 342.31 CrGolmaal Again₹ 308.62 CrTotal Dhamaal₹ 232.18 CrSingham Returns₹ 216.56 Cr