BY CHRISTA LINCY

The final countdown for the most anticipated film of 2026 has begun.Marking the release of the fourth single from Jana Nayagan, the makers have unveiled the high-octane track Raavana Mavandaa today, January 2, 2026. Billed as the Ultimate Elevation Anthem, the song is already setting the internet on fire, serving as a powerful tribute to Thalapathy Vijay in his final cinematic outing. Composed by the Rockstar Anirudh Ravichander, the track follows a string of chartbusters from the film, further solidifying the massive hype for this political action thriller. Raavana Mavandaa is designed to be a theatre-shaking moment. After being teased during the film's grand audio launch, the full version showcases Anirudh's signature heavy beats paired with powerful lyrics that reflect the protagonist's people's hero persona. The lyrics for the song have been penned by Vivek. Within minutes of its release, the song has clocked millions of views, trending at #1 on YouTube and various music streaming platforms. The film's soundtrack has been a record-breaking journey so far. The second single, Oru Pere Varalaaru, recently made history by becoming the most-viewed Tamil song within 24 hours, garnering over 26 million views. With Raavana Mavandaa being a pure mass elevation track, trade analysts expect it to challenge those existing records. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({})   Directed by H. Vinoth, Jana Nayagan is arguably the biggest Indian release of the year. As Vijay's 69th and final film before his full-time entry into politics, every promotional update is being celebrated like a festival. The film is slated for a grand pan-India release on January 9, 2026, in Tamil, Telugu (as Jana Nayakudu), Hindi (as Jan Neta), Kannada, and Malayalam. With the release of Raavana Mavandaa, the stage is now set for the official trailer launch, which is expected to drop on Jan 3rd

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, January 2 - The mega success of Ranveer Singh's Dhurandhar may have a lot more to say than just its box office numbers, as the latest report suggests a massive change in the industry regarding two of the most-awaited films, which are reportedly going Dhurandhar way. Directed by Aditya Dhar, Dhurandhar has proved to be a game-changer with over 1100 crores worldwide (so far), and its second part, which is scheduled to release on March 19, 2026, is easily one of the most hyped films in Indian cinema. Following this monstrous success, the buzz is that Shah Rukh Khan's King, along with Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Love & War, might also go the same way. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) According to the report by Bollywood Hungama, there are very high-level discussions in Shah Rukh Khan and Sanjay Leela Bhansali's camp around the release of King and Love and War. It is said that both films are big-budget spectacles and have gone beyond what was on paper when it comes to the cost of production. The report suggests that both SRK and Bhansali are individually contemplating splitting their epics into two parts and releasing them in a gap of less than 6 months. While Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt and Vicky Kaushal-fronted film could arrive in August 2026 and January 2027, King is reportedly contemplating September 2026 and March 2027. While the idea is in preliminary discussions, it will only happen if both films have enough footage to be able to release in two parts, just like Dhurandhar. The final decision regarding this will be taken on the editing table, once the shoot is done. Stay tuned...

BY CHRISTA LINCY

The Rebel Star mania is reaching a fever pitch as the countdown for The Raja Saab begins. In a move that showcases the makers' absolute confidence in the content, the production house has officially confirmed Paid Premieres across India on Thursday, January 8th, 2026, a day before its grand worldwide release. Billed as India's biggest horror-fantasy film, The Raja Saab is not just breaking genre norms but also setting new benchmarks in terms of premiere scale and pricing. According to the latest official updates, the paid premiere shows in India will commence from 06:00 PM onwards on January 8. In a move reflecting the film's Premium status and massive demand, ticket prices for these exclusive early shows are reportedly being pegged at ₹800. While the pricing has sparked conversations among trade circles, the advance booking trends from overseas markets suggest that fans are more than willing to pay a premium to catch their Vintage Darling back in a comical yet horrific avatar. Directed by Maruthi, The Raja Saab is a grand romantic horror-comedy and fantasy film that marks Prabhas' first foray into this genre. The plot revolves around a carefree young man, played by Prabhas, who inherits a haunted ancestral mansion. The primary antagonist of the film is the spirit of his grandfather, portrayed by Bollywood veteran Sanjay Dutt, who haunts the mansion. With a massive runtime of over 3 hours and Prabhas appearing in nearly 90% of the film, the project is being treated as a one man show. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({})   The craze for the Rebel Star is evident in the overseas markets, where early pre-sales for The Raja Saab in North America have already surged past the dollar 350,000 (₹2.9 Cr) mark for the premiere shows alone. With over 1,045 shows already listed and more than 10,500 tickets sold, the film is witnessing a steady build-up ahead of its Sankranti release. Following this massive overseas momentum, the India advance bookings are expected to open with a Big Bang shortly, as fans across the country gear up for the January 8th premieres Producer TG Vishwa Prasad and Director Maruthi have promised a grand horror experience with top tier CGI work. While the first half is designed to cater to the vintage Darling persona of Prabhas for Telugu fans, the second half is reportedly tailored to appeal to the Hindi heartland and North Indian audiences who have a high appetite for large scale horror fantasy.

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, January 2 - The third instalment of the social comedy drama franchise Oh My God is reportedly in the works, with Rani Mukerji set to join Akshay Kumar, marking one of the biggest casting coups in recent times. Director Amit Rai will return to helm the upcoming film. According to the report by Pinkvilla, Rani Mukerji has been confirmed to join Akshay in Oh My God 3, and her presence will add immense gravitas and freshness to the narrative. The upcoming film will mark Akshay and Rani's maiden collaboration, bringing together two iconic stars of the 90s. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The report further states that director Amit Rai has cracked the story that is bigger, more relevant, and hard-hitting than the previous instalments. Akshay Kumar wanted OMG 3 to be a notch up in every aspect, from story, emotions, to performances, and Rani coming on board has made the film even bigger. The film is currently in the pre-production stage and is expected to go on floors by mid-2026. Known for thought-provoking stories with strong entertainment, the Oh My God franchise has carved a special place in Hindi cinema, and the stakes are higher than before for the upcoming film. Stay tuned...

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Los Angeles, January 2 - Netflix may have, once again, left a lot of money on the table by not giving one of its most popular series, Stranger Things 5, a proper theatrical release. The final episode of this sci-fi show was released on December 31st, with limited fan screenings across North America. In October this year, Netflix announced that the final episode of Stranger Things would be having fans screenings in the domestic market. The finale was set to screen in just over 350 theatres across the U.S. and Canada on December 31, 2025, and January 1, 2026, but due to increasing demand, the number jumped to 620+ theatres. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Technically, there are no box office numbers for these screenings. Because of residual and distribution complications tied to TV series, theatres are charging seat reservation fees (around $20 at AMC), which are then converted into concession vouchers. So, there were no ticket sales via a traditional online platform, so the actual grosses are unknown. However, according to the trade estimated figures, over 1.5 million reservations were made for the Stranger Things finale, and with a $20 million average ticket price, or a reservation fee, it could mean at least $25 million and upto $30 million in just 1 and a half days, and that too, despite the series being availble on streamer with no extra cost. By comparison, 20th Century Studios' Avatar: Fire and Ash, the No. 1 grossing film of the season, made a combined $23.7M over New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. Netflix has been a hardcore anti-cinema OTT platform, and because of its stubborn approach, trade has time and again said that the streamer has been leaving plenty of money it could have made by releasing its movies or shows on the big screens. Stay tuned...

BY CHRISTA LINCY

Six years after acquiring the rights to the Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna starrer Dear Comrade, Karan Johar's Dharma Productions is finally moving ahead with its official Hindi adaptation. According to the latest reports as of January 2026, the studio has found its lead pair in Siddhant Chaturvedi and rising star Pratibha Ranta. The project, which had been on the backburner since 2019, has been revitalized following the recent success of the leads in their respective projects. Dharma Productions is reportedly betting big on this fresh pairing. Siddhant Chaturvedi, who recently delivered a power-packed performance in Dhadak 2 (2025), is said to bring the required intensity to the role originally played by Vijay Deverakonda. Joining him is Pratibha Ranta, the breakout star of Laapataa Ladies (2024). Ranta's ability to portray deep emotional vulnerability made her the top choice for the character of Lilly, a role that earned Rashmika Mandanna significant acclaim in the original. Karan Johar famously bought the remake rights of Dear Comrade in 2019, even before the Telugu film's theatrical release, after being moved by a special screening. However, the project faced several delays. Now, in early 2026, the studio is reimagining the story to fit a Pan India sensibility. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({})   The official Hindi adaptation of the 2019 Telugu blockbuster Dear Comrade, originally directed by Bharat Kamma, is finally moving into production under Karan Johar's Dharma Productions.The creative vision for the film aims to preserve the raw emotional intensity and hard-hitting social commentary that defined the original, while seamlessly adapting the narrative to resonate with a contemporary audience. While the original Telugu version saw a mixed response at the box office, it eventually developed a massive cult following on digital platforms. Dharma Productions aims to replicate the slow burn success of the original but on a much larger scale in the Hindi market. With Siddhant Chaturvedi's growing popularity as a versatile leading man and Pratibha Ranta's critical acclaim, the Hindi remake of Dear Comrade is poised to be one of the most anticipated romantic dramas of 2026.

BY CHRISTA LINCY

The Ranveer Singh led espionage thriller Dhurandhar has achieved what was once considered impossible for a Hindi film. Directed by Aditya Dhar, the film has scripted history by becoming the first-ever Hindi film to cross the ₹100 crore mark in its fourth week of release. While most blockbusters exhaust their steam by the end of the third week, Dhurandhar has shown an extraordinary second wind, fueled by the New Year 2026 holidays and an unprecedented 27 day double digit streak. The film's performance in its fourth week (Day 22 to Day 28) was nothing short of a rampage. Capping off the week with a massive New Year boost, the film collected ₹ 15.75 Cr on Day 28 (4th Thursday).This surge propelled its Week 4 total to a staggering ₹ 106.5 Cr, nearly doubling the previous record held by Pushpa 2 (Hindi). Rank Movie Title Week 4 Collection (India Net) 1 Dhurandhar (2025/26) ₹ 106.5 Cr 2 Pushpa 2: The Rule (Hindi) ₹ 69.65 Cr 3 Chhaava ₹ 55.95 Cr 4 Stree 2 ₹ 36.1 Cr 5 Jawan ₹ 35.63 Cr The film ended its fourth week on a massive high. On Day 28 (4th Thursday/January 1, 2026), the New Year holiday propelled the film to an early estimate of ₹ 15.75 Cr. Remarkably, the collection on Day 28 is significantly higher than its Day 25 (₹ 10.50 Cr), a trend rarely seen in box office history. Dhurandhar 27-Day Collection Summary: India Net Collection: ₹ 739.00 Cr India Gross Collection:₹ 886.75 Cr Overseas Collection: ₹ 255 Cr Worldwide Collection: ₹ 1141.75 Cr With a worldwide total of₹ 1141.75 Cr, Dhurandhar is now rapidly closing in on the all time highest grossing Hindi films. The film's ability to stay in double digits for 28 consecutive days is a historic feat that likely won't be challenged for years to come. As it enters its 5th week, the movie remains the primary choice for audiences across India, proving that Dhurandhar is indeed the true Dhurandhar of Hindi Cinema.

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, January 2 - Ranveer Singh's Dhurandhar has become the highest Bollywood ticket seller on BookMyShow, after beating Vicky Kaushal's Chhaava. The spy actioner continues to rewrite history at the box office and is breaking records with each passing day. Directed by Aditya Dhar, Dhurandhar has sold 13+ million tickets so far on BMS, beating Chhaava, which sold 12.50+ million tickets on the platform, followed by Shah Rukh Khan's Jawan (12.40+ million) and Maddock's horror comedy Stree 2 (11.15+ million). (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The biggest movie on BookMyShow is Allu Arjun's Pushpa 2: The Rule, with nearly 20 million tickets, followed by Kantara Chapter and Dhurandhar. The Ranveer Singh-starrer has still enough legs left to outnumber the Rishab Shetty-starrer to emerge as the number 2 film on the platform. Dhurandhar is racing towards beating Pushpa 2's 810+ crores net collection to become the highest-grossing movie ever in the Hindi language at the domestic box office. The film has so far scored 740 crores (885+ crores gross) in 28 days, as the second biggest grosser. Worldwide, the spy actioner is nearing 1150 crores and is likely to beat Jawan's 1160 crores gross to become the biggest Bollywood blockbuster (without China) by today or tomorrow. Interestingly, it is the only single-language film to enter the 1000 crores club, which speaks a lot about its legendary box office run. Stay tuned...

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, January 2 - Ranveer Singh's Dhurandhar has rewritten Bollywood box office history by achieving a landmark feat. The Aditya Dhar directorial has surpassed Shah Rukh Khan's Jawan to become the highest-grossing Bollywood film globally without any contribution from the Chinese market. Jawan, released in 2023, had concluded its worldwide theatrical run at around 1,160 crore, emerging as the biggest Bollywood grosser at the time. Dhurandhar has now gone past that figure at a much faster pace in just 29 days, setting a new benchmark for Hindi cinema. The spy action thriller has grossed nearly 900 crores at the domestic box office, while its overseas performance is no less than miraculous, with over 265 crores in 29 days so far. This historical achievement makes Dhurandhar the biggest Bollywood blockbuster to-date, as said, without China. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) When it comes to overall numbers, Aamir Khan's Dangal is the biggest Bollywood as well as Indian grosser to date with 2070 crores worldwide gross. However, the film made over 1300 crores gross at the Chinese box office, which is not a regular market for Indian films. Only a very small number of Indian titles have ever managed to release there, so it is not a fair comparison. Dhurandhar has achieved its massive worldwide number without China, relying entirely on audience support from India and established international territories such as North America, Australia, and Europe. In fact, Dhurandhar wasn't even released in the Middle East due to its subject, which has reportedly led to nearly 100 crores in revenue loss to the makers. As Dhurandhar continues its theatrical run, the film's total is expected to climb even higher, further strengthening its position not just in Bollywood but also in Indian cinema's all-time box office rankings, and cementing its legacy as one of its kind global phenomena. Stay tuned...

BY CHRISTA LINCY

Despite being mounted as a massive Pan India spectacle starring Mollywood legend Mohanlal, Vrusshabha has failed to find an audience. Released in multiple languages, the film struggled to even cross the starting line across most territories, ending its first week with shockingly low numbers. Marketed as a multi language spectacle in Malayalam, Telugu, Hindi, and Kannada, the film struggled across all territories. Weak writing, poor visual effects, and lack of promotional buzz resulted in embarrassingly low numbers, making it one of the biggest commercial failures of 2025. Vrusshabha Total Box Office Collection Summary (7 Days) Category Collection (Approx) India Net Collection ₹ 1.64 Cr India Gross Collection ₹ 1.91 Cr Overseas Collection ₹ 0.25 Cr Worldwide Collection ₹ 2.16 Cr Verdict Disaster Until the release of Vrusshabha, 2025 was shaping up to be one of the most successful years in Mohanlal's storied career. He had delivered a rare hat-trick of blockbusters: the massive action spectacle L2: Empuraan (₹ 266.81 Cr worldwide), the crime thriller Thudarum (₹ 235.38 Cr worldwide), and the family drama Hridayapoorvam ( ₹ 76.25 Cr worldwide). Collectively, these three films grossed over ₹600 Cr, reaffirming his status as the ultimate box office draw. Vrusshabha, however, has brought this golden run to a screeching halt.With a worldwide gross of just ₹2.16 Cr in its first week, the film failed to recover even 3% of its reported ₹70 Cr budget, marking a rare and massive commercial dent in his recent track record. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({})   Timing played a crucial role in Vrusshabha's collapse. The film was released at the height of the Dhurandhar phenomenon, a Hindi blockbuster that was recording historic double digit collections for nearly 30 consecutive days. While Dhurandhar dominated the Pan India audience, the local Malayalam market was also split by Nivin Pauly's horror-comedy Sarvam Maya. Unlike Vrusshabha, which struggled to hit the ₹1 Cr mark on its opening day, Sarvam Maya enjoyed strong word-of-mouth and a healthy opening of ₹3.35 Cr, eventually grossing over ₹65 Cr worldwide. Caught between a global juggernaut and a local favorite, Vrusshabha found itself with almost no theatrical oxygen. Vrusshabha is an ambitious reincarnation epic spanning centuries, following Mohanlal as King Vijayendra Vrusshabha in an ancient timeline where a generational curse pits him against his own son. The conflict carries over to the modern day, where he is reborn as businessman Aadi Deva Varma (reunited with his son, played by Samarjit Lankesh). Directed by Kannada filmmaker Nanda Kishore (Pogaru, Victory), this was intended to be a massive Pan-India gamble. However, the transition into fantasy heavy storytelling failed to resonate; Audience noted that the director's vision was marred by dated execution and distracting AI driven visual effects, ultimately failing to balance its mythological roots with modern-day sensibilities.

BY CHRISTA LINCY

The Hindi film industry has found its ultimate Dhurandhar. The film, aptly titled Dhurandhar, has not just ended 2025 on a high note but has stormed into 2026 with an unprecedented momentum. Shattering major benchmarks, the film has achieved a feat never seen before in the history of Hindi cinema. The biggest highlight of Dhurandhar's box office journey is its incredible consistency. The film has recorded double digit collections for 28 consecutive days. This is a historic first for a Hindi film, proving that the word of mouth is exceptionally strong and the repeat audience factor is at an all time high. Despite being in its fourth week, the film refused to slow down. After a steady 4th Monday and Tuesday, the film witnessed a massive surge on its 4th Thursday (Day 28). As the calendar turned to January 1, 2026, the New Year holiday provided a significant boost, with early estimates suggesting a collection of ₹ 15.75 Cr. Interestingly, the 4th Thursday collection is significantly higher than its 4th Monday (₹ 10.5 Cr), a rarity for any film this late in its theatrical run. Dhurandhar 4th Week Box Office Collection Breakdown (India Net) Day Day Wise India Net Collection Day 25 4th Monday ₹ 10.50 Cr Day 26 4th Tuesday ₹ 11.25 Cr Day 27 4th Wednesday ₹ 11.00 Cr Day 28 4th Thursday (New Year) ₹ 15.75 Cr * Total 28 Days Total ₹ 739.00 Cr Dhurandhar is not just a domestic success; it is a global juggernaut. With an impressive ₹ 250 Cr coming from overseas markets, the film has crossed the coveted 1000-crore mark worldwide with ease. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({})   Total Collection Snapshot (28 Days): India Net Collection: ₹ 739.00 Cr(28 days) India Gross Collection: ₹ 867.90 Cr Overseas Collection: ₹ 250.00 Cr Worldwide Collection: ₹ 1117.90 Cr With no major competition in the immediate horizon and the New Year holiday spirit still lingering, Dhurandhar is aiming to emerge as the highest grossing Hindi film ever. It has already surpassed the lifetime collections of several all time blockbusters and is currently eyeing the top spot on the leaderboard. The film's ability to stay in double digits for nearly a month suggests that it will continue to dominate the box office throughout January 2026. Dhurandhar is a high octane cinematic spectacle that has resonated with audiences across all age groups, ending 2025 with a Big Bang and setting the gold standard for the year 2026.

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, January 1 - Disney's Zootopia 2 is rewriting history for Hollywood at the Chinese box office with an extraordinary theatrical run that very few foreign films have ever managed to achieve. The animated sequel has crossed a landmark that places it in an elite club dominated by only the biggest global blockbusters. According to trade estimates, Zootopia 2 has sold over 100+ million tickets in China, making it the first Hollywood film since Titanic (1997) and only the 8th film ever to cross the 100 million admissions mark in a single market. This historic feat highlights the film's unexpected and unprecedented reach among Chinese audiences. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The animated juggernaut has already grossed $560+ million in China, firmly establishing itself as one of the highest-grossing Hollywood films of all time in the territory. The film continues to draw massive footfalls, an extremely rare phenomenon for imported releases in recent years. The record-breaking run is particularly significant given Hollywood's recent struggles in China, where local productions have largely dominated the box office. Zootopia 2 has managed to buck that trend entirely, emerging as a cultural event rather than just a successful release. Zootopia 2 is heading towards finishing at $575+ million in China, as the second highest-grossing Hollywood title in the country after Avengers: Endgame ($632 million). At the worldwide box office, the film has topped $1.45 billion, becoming the third biggest animated film of all-time (excluding The Lion King), and the biggest-grossing Disney animated film. Stay tuned...