Ranveer Singh’s ‘Dhurandhar 2’ Outpaces Yash’s ‘Toxic’ in US Advance Booking

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:

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.