The battle for global box office supremacy has officially begun as advance bookings for the year’s biggest clash—Ranveer Singh’s Dhurandhar: The Revenge vs. Yash’s Toxic: A Fairytale for Grown-Ups—opened in North America.
As of Monday, March 2, 2026, Aditya Dhar’s spy sequel has taken a massive early lead, outearning the Kannada superstar’s comeback film by nearly 9x in initial ticket sales. Both films are set for a worldwide release on March 19, 2026.
The Numbers Game: US Advance Bookings (as of March 1)
While it is early days, the initial footprint in the US reveals a clear advantage for the Dhurandhar franchise:
| Movie | Advance Collection (USD) | Tickets Sold | Shows/Theatres |
| Dhurandhar 2 | $33,723 | 1,953 | 209 shows / 151 theatres |
| Toxic | $3,665 | 189 | 122 shows / 81 theatres |
Source: Sacnilk / Trade Estimates
Dhurandhar 2: The Spy Juggernaut
Directed by Aditya Dhar, the sequel follows the ₹1300-crore success of Part 1 (2025).
- The Plot: Set in the gritty landscape of Pakistan’s Lyari, the film features Ranveer Singh returning as the operative Hamza (Jaskirat Singh Rangi).
- The Ensemble: The film stars Arjun Rampal, R. Madhavan, and Sanjay Dutt, with a highly anticipated cameo by Akshaye Khanna.
- Global Target: Part 1 earned $21 million in North America; trade analysts expect the sequel to challenge the $30 million mark.
Toxic: The “Fairytale” Actioner
Kannada icon Yash returns to the big screen after the massive success of KGF: Chapter 2.
- The Hype: Directed by Geetu Mohandas, Toxic features Yash in a triple role.
- The Cast: A pan-India ensemble including Nayanthara, Kiara Advani, Tara Sutaria, and Huma Qureshi.
- Catch-Up Potential: While Dhurandhar 2 had a wider early opening, Toxic’s numbers are expected to surge as more screens are added across the US and Canada in the coming fortnight.
Off-Screen News: Cricket, Divorce & Fashion
While cinema fans track the box office, other major headlines are trending today:
- Cricket Heartbreak: India cricketer Rahul Chahar (26) has announced his divorce from Ishani Johar, stating they spent the last 15 months “navigating courtrooms.”
- Milan Fashion Week: Alia Bhatt stole the show in Milan, appearing in a head-to-toe Gucci ensemble that netizens have dubbed her “Matrix-inspired” look.
- RIP M.M. Baig: Superstar Hrithik Roshan paid an emotional tribute to his mentor, M.M. Baig, following his passing, stating he would “forever be grateful” for his guidance.
Middle East Conflict: Impact on Regional Exams
The ongoing US-Israel-Iran war continues to affect the Indian diaspora:
- Kerala SSLC Postponed: Exams for Indian students in the Gulf region have been postponed indefinitely due to the security situation and the closure of airspace over several Middle Eastern countries.