Mar 02, 2026 6:04pm IST
Box Office: ‘Dhurandhar 2’ and ‘Toxic’ Set to Finally End Bollywood’s Dry Spell on Eid
This month’s most anticipated releases, "Dhurandhar 2" and "Toxic," are poised to rewrite box office history. Headlined by Ranveer Singh and KGF star Yash, respectively, the two big-ticket entertainers are set to arrive in cinemas on March 19, 2026, and are already tracking for record-breaking openings.
"Dhurandhar: The Revenge" and "Toxic" are collectively expected to deliver historic numbers for an Eid release. Trade estimates suggest a combined domestic opening of over ₹100 crore on day one — with Aditya Dhar’s "Dhurandhar 2" projected to contribute ₹60–65 crore, and "Toxic" expected to add ₹40–45 crore.
If achieved, this would mark the first time in Indian cinema history that the domestic box office crosses ₹100 crore in a single day — a milestone the March 19 release is aiming to accomplish.
Early projections indicate that Eid 2026 could become one of the most significant festive periods in box office history. The combined lifetime Hindi collections of both films are expected to cross the ₹1,000 crore mark.
"Dhurandhar 2" is currently tracking to emerge as the biggest-ever Eid release, with Toxic close behind. As of now, the record for the highest-grossing Hindi film released on Eid is held by Salman Khan’s "Bajrangi Bhaijaan," which collected approximately ₹320 crore net.
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Eid’s Struggle Post-Pandemic
Once considered one of the most lucrative windows for blockbuster releases, Eid has struggled to deliver consistent theatrical hits in the post-pandemic era.
From "Radhe" (which saw a hybrid release in 2021) to "Runway 34" and "Heropanti 2" in 2022, "Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan" in 2023, "Bade Miyan Chote Miyan" and "Maidaan" in 2024, and "Sikandar" last year, recent Eid releases have underperformed at the box office.
With strong pre-release momentum behind both "Dhurandhar 2" and "Toxic," trade analysts believe the 2026 Eid weekend could restore the festival’s stature as a box office powerhouse.
The Screen War
Both films are expected to secure among the widest releases in India, with negotiations ongoing over screen allocation. While the final showcasing will be locked closer to release, Aditya Dhar’s ensemble spy action thriller appears to have an edge in the Hindi-speaking markets.
Meanwhile, Yash’s high-octane actioner is expected to dominate the Southern territories, where the star enjoys a massive fan base.
"Dhurandhar 2" and "Toxic" are set to hit cinemas on March 19, 2026.
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