Entertainment

IIE DIGITAL DESK : Aditya Dhar’s much-anticipated sequel “Dhurandhar 2” has opened to an extraordinary response at the box office, creating history even before its official release. The film, starring Ranveer Singh in the lead role, recorded an unprecedented ₹52 crore collection from paid premiere shows across India, surpassing the opening performance of its first installment.

The Hindi version of the film was showcased in over 12,000 theatres nationwide through a special paid premiere format, marking one of the largest premiere distributions ever seen in Indian cinema. Industry trackers estimate that a total of approximately 12,292 screenings were arranged for the paid premiere, making it a massive nationwide event.

The overwhelming response ensured that “Dhurandhar 2” broke multiple records even before its theatrical release on 19 March. The film’s premiere earnings have already outperformed the first part, which had collected around ₹33 crore from its paid premiere shows. With this achievement, the sequel has set a new benchmark in Indian box office history for advance premiere revenue.

Trade experts believe that “Dhurandhar: The Revenge”, the official title associated with the franchise, is on track to surpass several existing milestones and potentially become one of the biggest openings in Indian film history. The scale of its release and early audience turnout have reinforced expectations of a strong theatrical run.

Director Aditya Dhar issued an apology to audiences due to technical and logistical issues that affected some premiere screenings. Reports indicated delays in show timings at several locations due to late delivery of film reels, while some viewers also faced ticketing disruptions caused by system errors. The director expressed regret over the inconvenience caused, acknowledging the efforts of audiences who attended the early screenings.

Despite these challenges, the film’s record-breaking premiere earnings have dominated headlines and reaffirmed the franchise’s reputation for delivering large-scale cinematic spectacles and box office milestones.