- By Sidhi Agarwall
- Tue, 10 Mar 2026 12:35 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Dhurandhar 2 vs Ustaad Bhagat Singh: A massive clash is brewing at the box office this month. Following the news that Yash’s film Toxic has moved its release date to June, Ranveer Singh’s highly anticipated sequel, Dhurandhar: The Revenge, was expected to have a clear run. However, the vacuum was quickly filled by the Telugu action thriller Ustaad Bhagat Singh, starring Pawan Kalyan. Both films are now set to go head-to-head on March 19, 2026.
While Dhurandhar 2 is a Hindi-origin film directed by Aditya Dhar, its massive popularity has caused concern for local distributors. The first film was a sensation, grossing Rs 1000 crore in India. The sequel is being released with a Telugu dub, and early signs suggest it is already performing exceptionally well in the south. Trade experts are worried that the neutral audience and urban viewers could shift to Dhurandhar 2, which is a proven film, if Ustaad Bhagat Singh prices its tickets too high. Even in Pawan Kalyan’s own territory, the pressure is mounting. An anonymous exhibitor noted the difficulty in balancing the two giants, “Pawan Kalyan is a big name and he draws crowds. Distributors want us to give Bhagat Singh more screens, but Dhurandhar 2 is also a big release. So, it’s a challenge.”
Dhurandhar 2 vs Ustaad Bhagat Singh Advance Booking Trends
Meanwhile, the gap between the two films is even more noticeable in the international market. In the United States, Dhurandhar 2 has already grossed over $1 million in pre-sales. In contrast, Ustaad Bhagat Singh has earned under $100,000 so far. According to tracking reports, the Ranveer Singh-starrer has sold over 38,000 tickets across North America. Regarding the domestic numbers, Dhurandhar 2 has already recorded approximately Rs 12.29 crore in advance bookings across India.
Also Read: What To Expect From Pawan Kalyan's Ustaad Bhagat Singh Amid Dhurandhar 2 Clash?
On the other hand, Ustaad Bhagat Singh is a remake of the hit film Theri and follows the massive success of Pawan Kalyan's previous film, OG. The makers are banking on the festive weekend of Ugadi and Gudi Padwa to bring in families. However, trade analyst Sreedhar Pillai warns that the dubbed version of the Hindi sequel is a major threat. He mentioned, “Dhurandhar was huge in the south. And with dubbed versions, Dhurandhar 2 can increase its reach in the region, even if there is competition from a big local release.”
As March 19 approaches, all eyes are on whether the Power Star Pawan Kalyan can protect his turf or if Ranveer Singh’s juggernaut will rewrite the record books in the Telugu states.