Dhurandhar 2 director forces Telugu films to change plans

Director Aditya Dhar has officially confirmed that “Dhurandhar 2,” the sequel to the Hindi blockbuster Dhurandhar, will hit theatres on March 19, 2026, putting an end to all postponement rumours.

The first part of Dhurandhar emerged as the highest-grossing Hindi film in India, collecting over ₹850 crore, which has now sent ripples across the pan-Indian market. With the sequel carrying massive expectations, several Telugu and Kannada biggies are reportedly reconsidering their release strategies to avoid a direct box-office clash.

One of the films affected is Ram Charan’s “Peddi,” whose makers are said to be exploring alternative release dates to stay clear of competition with the highly anticipated sequel.

Dhurandhar 2 boasts a powerful ensemble cast featuring Ranveer Singh, Sanjay Dutt, Akshaye Khanna, Sara Arjun, Arjun Rampal, and R. Madhavan in key roles. Touted as one of the most awaited films of 2026, trade circles believe the film could shatter multiple records if it lives up to expectations.

Unlike the first part, which released only in Hindi, Dhurandhar 2 will also have a Telugu and Tamil release, making it a true pan-Indian film this time.

Earlier, there were strong speculations that the film would be postponed to August 25, 2026, prompting movies like “Toxic,” “Peddi,” “Dacoit,” and “The Paradise” to plan March-end releases. However, Aditya Dhar’s confirmation of a March 19 release, coinciding with the Ramzan festival, has reshuffled the release calendar.

As of now, Nani’s “The Paradise” has already moved out of the March race, “Peddi” is searching for a new date, while Yash’s “Toxic” is yet to reveal its release strategy.