Dhurandhar 2 vs Ustaad Bhagat Singh: Trade fears Ranveer Singh film could dent Pawan Kalyan starrer even in Telugu states

A major box office clash was avoided this month when Yash’s comeback film Toxic postponed its release from March 19 to June 4, stepping away from a direct showdown with Ranveer Singh’s highly anticipated sequel Dhurandhar: The Revenge.

However, within hours of Toxic vacating the date, the Telugu action film Ustaad Bhagat Singh moved in to occupy the slot, creating another clash — this time largely confined to the Telugu-speaking states. Trade experts believe the Telugu film could face greater risk at the box office.

Dhurandhar 2 vs Ustaad Bhagat Singh

Directed by Aditya Dhar, Dhurandhar 2 is expected to be a nationwide blockbuster. The first instalment, Dhurandhar, reportedly grossed around ₹1,000 crore in India despite releasing only in Hindi. The sequel will also arrive in a Telugu dubbed version, expanding its reach in the southern market.

Meanwhile, Ustaad Bhagat Singh is a long-awaited film starring Pawan Kalyan and is a remake of Theri, the Tamil blockbuster headlined by Vijay. Expectations are high as Pawan Kalyan’s previous film OG was a major success.

Early indicators suggest Dhurandhar 2 has already gained traction in the Telugu states. Paid previews have reportedly collected about ₹15 lakh from 96 shows, with roughly 65–70 tickets sold per show on average — a strong start for a dubbed release.

Overseas too, the film appears to be ahead. In the United States, Dhurandhar 2 has crossed $1 million in premiere pre-sales, compared with under $100,000 for Ustaad Bhagat Singh.

Can Dhurandhar 2 challenge a local star?

Ustaad Bhagat Singh is hoping to benefit from the festive window. March 19 coincides with Ugadi and Gudi Padwa, with Eid al-Fitr expected shortly afterward.

This festive period has already created pressure on exhibitors to prioritise the local star vehicle. One exhibitor said distributors were pushing for more screens for the Pawan Kalyan film but balancing it with a large Hindi release remained difficult.

Trade analyst Sreedhar Pillai noted that the original Dhurandhar performed strongly in southern states and the dubbed versions could further expand its audience this time. The first film reportedly earned nearly ₹200 crore net across the four southern states without a dubbed release.

There are also reports that the makers of Ustaad Bhagat Singh may seek a ticket price hike to counter the competition. However, trade insiders warn that higher ticket prices could push neutral or urban audiences toward Dhurandhar 2, which already has proven franchise appeal.

Both films are scheduled to hit theatres on March 19, with paid previews beginning on the evening of March 18.