Dhurandhar has quietly reshaped the playbook for big-ticket Indian films. Beyond box-office records, the film’s success is nudging filmmakers and studios to rethink how they build and release epics — and two of Hindi cinema’s biggest names are already in conversations about riding that wave.
SRK and Bhansali in talks: two parts or one?
Bollywood Hungama has learned that teams around Shah Rukh Khan and Sanjay Leela Bhansali are having high-level discussions about turning their forthcoming spectacles — King and Love and War — into two-part releases. Both films were always conceived as grand, expensive productions; sources say rising costs and the Dhurandhar effect are prompting producers to explore a split-release strategy.
Possible release windows
- Love and War: being considered for August 2026 and January 2027.
- King: discussions point to September 2026 and March 2027.
These dates are preliminary. The final decision will come only after the edit: if the filmmakers find enough material to justify two parts, they may opt to split. If not, both films could still release as single features.
Why the two-part trend is gaining traction
Producers and creators see multiple advantages in the two-part formula. It’s not just about stretching box-office windows — it’s also about unlocking additional satellite and OTT deals, and giving directors the space to develop sub-plots and characters without compromises.
One insider put it simply: two parts mean more revenue streams and greater creative freedom. The impact of Dhurandhar has made studios and financiers more open to bold packaging and longer-format storytelling.
What this means for audiences and the industry
- Audiences can expect more layered narratives with room for richer sub-tracks and character arcs.
- Studios are likely to plan marketing and distribution differently, with staggered promotional campaigns across parts.
- The success of one major franchise can set off a domino effect, encouraging other filmmakers to think bigger and longer.
Where things stand now
Both King and Love and War are still in production. The split-release idea is currently exploratory — a response to how Dhurandhar redefined expectations for scale and returns. A final call will be taken on the edit table once the teams assess footage and narrative needs.
Meanwhile, Dhurandhar 2 is slated to hit theaters on March 19, keeping the momentum alive and likely influencing more such decisions in the months ahead.
Bottom line
Dhurandhar’s ripple effects are already visible: filmmakers are tempted to stretch epics into two parts to maximise creative scope and commercial gain. Whether King and Love and War become two-part sagas will depend on footage, editing choices, and how confident studios feel about sustaining audience interest across multiple releases. For now, the next few months promise some interesting strategic shifts in big-budget Hindi cinema.
