Toxic and Dacoit Postponed? Are Yash and Adivi Sesh Moving Dates to Avoid the Dhurandhar 2 Storm?
The Indian film calendar for 2026 is undergoing a major reshuffle as the Dhurandhar wave continues to dominate the industry. Following the unprecedented success of Aditya Dhar's first installment, filmmakers are reportedly reconsidering their release strategies to avoid a head-on collision with the upcoming sequel, Dhurandhar: The Revenge. While one major project has officially moved its date, speculation is mounting that another pan-India giant might also seek a safer release window.
It is now official that the Adivi Sesh and Mrunal Thakur starrer Dacoit has been postponed. Originally slated for a high-profile theatrical premiere on March 19, 2026—the exact same day as the massive espionage sequel Dhurandhar: The Revenge—the makers have decided to push the film to a later date to avoid a head-on collision. While the production house has officially cited post-production requirements as the reason for the delay, industry insights suggest that the primary driver is the anticipated dominance and massive screen occupancy expected for the Ranveer Singh-starrer.
For a stylized actioner like Dacoit, securing a sufficient number of screens against a billion-dollar franchise would be an uphill battle. Consequently, the makers are now reportedly eyeing an April 2026 release, seeking a clearer window that would allow the film the breathing room it needs to maximize its box office potential.
The bigger question mark surrounds Yash's highly anticipated pan-India film, Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-ups. While there is no official confirmation yet, rumors are rife that the Geetu Mohandas directorial may also move its release date. Toxic is currently one of the most awaited films in Indian cinema, and a clash with Dhurandhar 2 would mean a division of screens and box office potential between two of the biggest giants of the year. While Yash's stardom is massive, the momentum behind the Dhurandhar franchise has created a situation where even the biggest producers are hesitant to risk a day-and-date clash.
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The hesitation among filmmakers stems from the historic performance of the first Dhurandhar, which released on December 5, 2025. The film became an all-time blockbuster, recording a Worldwide Collection of ₹1303 Crore and an India Gross of ₹1004 Crore.
What has truly added fuel to the fire is the film's record-breaking OTT trajectory. While the theatrical release was restricted to the Hindi language, the digital premiere on Netflix included Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada versions. This move allowed the film to penetrate the South Indian markets, where it became a massive hit among audiences and industry professionals alike.
The digital release achieved an unprecedented milestone: within just 48 hours, Dhurandhar topped the trending charts in more than 10 countries, including the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Malaysia, Singapore, and Canada, as well as entering the Global Top 10 (Non-English) list. This streaming explosion transformed the film from a Hindi-language hit into a verified pan-India brand. The resulting hype has made Dhurandhar: The Revenge a much more formidable force than its predecessor, effectively turning the sequel into a must-watch event across all territories and forcing competitors to rethink their release windows.
From a trade perspective, releasing two high-stakes films like Toxic and Dhurandhar 2 simultaneously is widely considered a poor move. Both films represent high production values and expect a massive opening. By staggering the releases, the industry ensures that each giant gets the breathing room required to maximize its box office potential. As of now, the world awaits March 19, 2026, to see if Ranveer Singh and Aditya Dhar can replicate the ₹1300 crore magic, and whether other films will clear the path for this cinematic storm.
Bollywood
