Ranveer Singh’s Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge is gearing up for a grand theatrical release on March 19, coinciding with the festive period of Eid and Ugadi.
However, the big-budget spy action thriller is expected to face stiff competition in the Telugu states due to the release of Pawan Kalyan’s Ustaad Bhagat Singh.
Originally planned for March 26, Ustaad Bhagat Singh was advanced to March 19 after Yash’s Toxic was postponed amid the military tensions in the Middle East.
The change has set up a direct box office clash between the two big films across India, particularly in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, where Pawan Kalyan commands a massive fan following.
While Dhurandhar 2 is expected to perform strongly across the country thanks to the success of its first part and its pan-India release in five languages, the Telugu states could be a challenging market.
The film is also releasing in Telugu, but competing against a local star-driven mass entertainer may make screen allocation tougher.
Interestingly, trade circles feel the pressure could be greater on Ustaad Bhagat Singh.
Despite Pawan Kalyan’s strong fan base, Dhurandhar 2 carries significant pan-India buzz and franchise value, which could attract multiplex audiences and neutral viewers in the Telugu states if the word-of-mouth turns positive.
Reports suggest that the makers of Dhurandhar 2 are planning paid premiere shows on March 18 to build early momentum.
At the same time, Ustaad Bhagat Singh is reportedly considering a ticket price hike, a move some sections of the Telugu media believe could push neutral audiences toward the Bollywood action sequel.
With both films targeting the same festive window, March 19 is shaping up to be one of the biggest box office clashes of 2026.
The real test, however, will be how each film sustains its momentum beyond the opening weekend.