Dhurandhar 2: Ranveer Singh Starrer Breaks DDLJ Record, 24-Hour Shows Announced

The upcoming release of Aditya Dhar's spy-thriller 'Dhurandhar: The Revenge' (Dhurandhar 2) has triggered a massive wave at the Indian box office. 5 million tickets through advance bookings. To accommodate the unprecedented demand, cinema chains across major Indian cities have decided to run 24-hour screenings. The film is positioned to become one of the biggest openers in the history of Indian cinema, surpassing several previous milestones even before its official premiere.

The Maratha Mandir Milestone and DDLJ Slot Change

In a significant development for Indian cinema history, Mumbai's iconic Maratha Mandir theater has adjusted its long-standing schedule. For the past 30 years, Shah Rukh Khan's 'Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge' (DDLJ) has occupied the 11:30 AM slot. However, due to the extensive 4-hour runtime of 'Dhurandhar 2' and the high volume of ticket requests, the theater management has shifted the DDLJ screening to an earlier morning slot. This move highlights the massive scale and anticipation surrounding the Ranveer Singh starrer.

Advance Booking and Financial Performance Data

According to industry analysts, 'Dhurandhar 2' has generated ₹35 crore through paid previews alone, breaking the previous record of ₹25 crore. The first-day advance booking in India has reached a gross collection of ₹21 crore. On the international front, the film has made history by becoming the first Indian production to earn 5 million dollars in pre-sales in North America. The total global advance booking collection has officially crossed the ₹125 crore mark, indicating a strong start in both domestic and overseas markets.

Operational Strategy for 24-Hour Screenings

The film's runtime of nearly 4 hours presents a logistical challenge for theater owners. To maintain a schedule that includes trailers, intervals, and cleaning, theaters are allocating a window of 4 hours 40 minutes per show. In cities like Mumbai, Thane, and Ahmedabad, major chains such as PVR and MovieMax have scheduled shows starting as late as 1:50 AM for the opening weekend. This 24-hour screening model is expected to be adopted by more theaters across South and West India to meet the surge in demand.

Ensemble Cast and Production Background

Directed by Aditya Dhar, the sequel features an ensemble cast including Ranveer Singh, R. Madhavan, Arjun Rampal, Sanjay Dutt, Sara Arjun, and Rakesh Bedi. The first installment, 'Dhurandhar', was a massive success, earning ₹1300 crore worldwide. Reports suggest that Akshaye Khanna, who played the antagonist in the first part, might appear in a cameo role. The film is scheduled for a wide theatrical release on March 19, supported by a high-budget production and extensive marketing campaign.

Global Projections and Market Impact

Trade analysts suggest that based on current pre-sale trends, 'Dhurandhar 2' has the potential to cross the ₹2000 crore mark globally. If achieved, this would place the film among the highest-grossing Indian films of all time, potentially challenging records held by films like 'Dangal'. Strong pre-booking numbers have also been reported from the UK and Gulf countries. Despite the long duration of the film, the steady pace of ticket sales indicates a high level of audience interest in the narrative continuation of the franchise.