Dhurandhar’s dominance reshuffles New Year box office — other releases feel the squeeze
The Dhurandhar wave shows no signs of slowing down. The Ranveer Singh-starrer continues to influence screen allocations and ticket sales, squeezing recent and upcoming releases such as Kis Kisko Pyaar Karoon 2, Avatar: Fire And Ash and the new romcom Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri. The big change on the ground: exhibitors and distributors are reshuffling shows to accommodate films backed by strong distribution clout.
Why Ikkis has a leg up
Ikkis, which stars Agastya Nanda alongside the late Dharmendra, opens tomorrow as the first Bollywood release of 2026. Its distributor — Jio Studios — also handled Dhurandhar. That common distributor-producer link has allowed Ikkis to secure a healthy chunk of screens despite Dhurandhar still doing business. Exhibition sources say Jio has asked for roughly 30–40% showcasing for Ikkis as Dhurandhar moves into its fifth week.
How screens are being allocated
Exhibitors have been given fairly specific instructions on show counts and timing. The general pattern being requested is:
- 2-screen cinemas: 4 shows for Ikkis
- 3-screen cinemas: 6 shows for Ikkis
- 4-screen multiplexes: 8 shows for Ikkis
- 5+ screen cinemas: 10+ shows for Ikkis
There are also timing guidelines — early morning shows are being discouraged in many single- and small multi-screen venues, likely because Ikkis is expected to build via word-of-mouth rather than early-bird footfalls. And ticketing-wise, theatres have been asked to keep Ikkis tickets at regular weekend rates, so prices should remain reasonable.
Winners, losers — who got pushed out?
The reshuffle has meant Dhurandhar’s shows have been cut sharply in many single-screen venues — in some places halved from four shows to two. Several Mumbai single-screen theatres that have trimmed Dhurandhar include Gold Cinema Santacruz, Chitra, Plaza, Roxy, Citylight, Star City, MovieTime Dahisar, Inox Nakshatra Dadar, PVR Le Reve, MovieTime Suburbia and Gold Cinema Dadar.
The romcom Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri lost ground in a few of the biggest G7 auditoriums as well. It didn’t secure shows at Gaiety and Galaxy and had to be slotted into smaller houses like the 228-seater Gemini and the 105-seater Gossip. By contrast, Ikkis managed to get four shows daily in the sprawling 819-seater Galaxy.
In many single-screen circuits the running pattern now looks like this: 2 shows of Dhurandhar, 2 shows of Ikkis and 1 show of the Marathi release Krantijyoti Vidyalay Marathi Madhyam, which features Sachin Khedekar and marks Prajakta Koli’s Marathi debut. Some single-screens in certain regions will continue to prioritise Dhurandhar because of its sustained mass appeal, while a few single-screens may skip Ikkis entirely due to the distributor’s limited release strategy.
Trade view: why this strategy makes sense
Industry insiders say the advantage for Ikkis is its ability to secure single-screen shows — traditionally strong windows for local footfalls — a territory Dhurandhar owned until recently. Even though the romcom may have broader urban appeal, Ikkis stands to benefit from targeted shows and controlled pricing, allowing it to gain momentum over time.
At the same time, distributors are balancing risk and reward: Dhurandhar has already delivered big business, so cutting some shows for the new release doesn’t hurt long-term returns, while giving Ikkis a fair shot at box office growth in the first crucial days.
What moviegoers should expect this weekend
- More choices in larger venues: multiplex audiences will see Ikkis and Dhurandhar running side by side in key houses.
- Smaller houses will mix films based on local tastes — some focusing on Marathi audiences, others keeping Dhurandhar-heavy lineups.
- Ticket prices for Ikkis are likely to be at regular weekend rates, not premium fares, making it accessible to a wider audience.
- Early-morning shows for Ikkis may be limited, so plan for afternoon and evening screenings if you want to catch the new release on opening weekend.
Closing note
With Dhurandhar entering week five on January 2 and Ikkis opening the same weekend, the box office story for the start of 2026 will be driven as much by distribution strategy as by audience demand. For viewers, that means more variety in some theatres, while in others the Dhurandhar momentum will still hold sway. Expect a classic New Year scramble at the box office as films jostle for the best slots and audiences decide which stories win their hearts.
