Bollywood Sequel Boosts India's Box Office

A new Bollywood release is translating into measurable gains for cinema operators in India, with a spy-thriller franchise again drawing large crowds. The sequel, “Dhurandhar: The Revenge” , opened last week and is being positioned as a major commercial driver after the first film’s breakout run.

The earlier installment, “Dhurandhar” , ended 2025 with about $155 million in worldwide gross, placing it among the biggest hits in Hindi-language cinema. That performance has become a reference point for exhibitors and distributors looking for reliable “event” titles that can pull audiences back into theaters.

What changed in the market

Multiplex operator PVR Inox has already linked improved attendance to the first film’s draw. The company reported nearly a 9% year-on-year rise in footfalls for the quarter ending December, attributing the increase to “Dhurandhar” .

Across the full year, PVR Inox said its overall box-office collections increased by 13% . While the company’s statement highlights one title as a key contributor, the source material does not provide a full breakdown of how much of the annual gain came from the franchise versus other releases.

Sequel demand signals and distribution scale

Early indicators for the sequel point to strong pre-release demand. More than 1.5 million advance tickets were sold across five languages , suggesting a push beyond a single-region audience and a strategy aimed at maximizing nationwide occupancy.

Cinemas across India have scheduled up to three dozen shows per day for the film, reflecting high screen allocation and aggressive programming. The source does not specify how long this level of show frequency will be maintained, which will depend on sustained turnout and competing releases.

Content themes and political sensitivity

Both films star Ranveer Singh as an Indian spy and combine espionage and action with geopolitical storylines. The narrative includes themes tied to India–Pakistan tensions , which can broaden interest but also heighten scrutiny.

Critical response has been mixed: reviewers have credited the franchise’s spectacle and technical execution, while some have questioned its political messaging and described it as jingoistic. These critiques are opinions rather than verified claims, and the source material does not cite any official response from the filmmakers or cast.

Why it matters for business and policy watchers

For listed exhibitors and the wider film supply chain, a high-performing franchise can influence near-term revenue visibility through ticket sales and show allocation. The reported footfall and collection increases underscore how a single blockbuster can affect quarterly performance metrics for multiplex operators.

At the same time, the political framing of entertainment products can shape cross-border perceptions and public debate, especially when storylines touch on sensitive regional issues. What remains uncertain is whether the sequel’s early demand converts into a sustained run comparable to the first film’s global gross, as the source provides no opening-weekend totals or longer-term forecasts.