As 2026 approaches, the conversation around Bollywood’s box office has largely centered on whether this will finally be the year ofRanveer SinghorRanbir Kapoor. Ranveer’sDhurandhar Part 2and Ranbir’sRamayana Part 1are being seen as potential turning points for the Hindi mainstream industry.
In an amusing throwback, this talk of a possible box office power shift evokes the famousmid-credit scene of Pathaan (2023). In it, Shah Rukh Khan’sPathaanand Salman Khan’sTiger – RAWdiscuss retirement but fail to identify a younger successor, implying they would need to return if required. Many interpreted this as a meta nod to the stars themselves—aged 57 at the time—signaling that the Khans were far from retiring and remained vital to Bollywood’s box office. Three years later, Shah Rukh, Salman, andAamir Khan, now 60, stand at an intriguing crossroad in their careers.
The buzz of a potential generational shift began in December whenRanveer Singh’s Dhurandharshook the Hindi box office. Directed byAditya Dhar, the spy thriller has grossed₹1,239 crore globally(and counting) and₹793.75 crore domestically, making it the biggest Bollywood film in India to date.Dhurandhar Part 2is set for release onMarch 19, signaling that Ranveer’s challenge is far from over.
Meanwhile,Ranbir Kapoor’s Ramayana Part 1, directed byNitesh Tiwari, is slated forDiwali 2026. Ranbir playsBhagwan Ramin a two-part epic that promises to introduce a new generation to the classic tale while pushing the limits of VFX. Reports suggest the combined budget could reach₹4,000 crore.
Shah Rukh Khan continues to dominate withaction-packed blockbusters, followingPathaan (₹1,050 crore worldwide)andJawan (₹1,155 crore worldwide). His 2026 release,King, co-produced withSiddharth Anand, marks the Bollywood debut of his daughterSuhana Khanand features a star-studded cast includingDeepika Padukone, Rani Mukerji, Abhishek Bachchan, Anil Kapoor, Jackie Shroff, Arshad Warsi, and Raghav Juyal. Early promos suggest Shah Rukh plays a cold-hearted killer, though the release date is yet to be confirmed. At 60, SRK appears to be shedding his traditional romantic hero image in favor of rugged, stylish action.
Salman Khan, long known for his spontaneity and mass-appeal films, is taking a new direction withBattle of Galwan, a big-budget war film directed byApoorva Lakhiaand produced bySalman Khan Films. Scheduled forApril 17, the movie is based on the 2020 Galwan clash, with Salman portrayingColonel B. Santosh Babu, posthumously awarded theMaha Vir Chakra. After recent underperformers likeSikandar, Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan, Radhe, andDabangg 3, this marks a significant genre shift for the superstar.
Aamir Khan is treading cautiously in 2026, focusing on production. His filmHappy Patel Khatarnak JasoosreleasesJanuary 16, featuring him in a cameo and marking the directorial debut ofVir Das. Aamir’s other project,Lahore 1947, directed byRajkumar Santoshiand starringSunny Deol, could release later in the year. Aamir’s modest 2025 venture,Sitaare Zameen Par, was profitable but lacked the impact of his past experimental hits likeTaare Zameen Par (2007), Dangal, 3 Idiots,andPK.
The 2026 box office challenge isn’t limited to Bollywood. Several South Indian superstars have major releases lined up withpan-India appeal, dubbed in Hindi:
Vijay in Jana Nayagan– Tamil star’s final film, generating pan-India curiosity despite censor hurdles.
Yash in Toxic– Kannada action star returns onMarch 19, clashing withDhurandhar Part 2.
Rajinikanth in Jailer 2– Tamil superstar reprises his role onJune 12, with Mithun Chakraborty, SJ Suryah Ramya Krishnan, Mohanlal, Shiva Rajkumar, and Vinayakan in key roles.
Mohanlal in Drishyam 3 and Patriot– Malayalam veteran returns in both a thriller and the mega-budgetPatriotalongside Mammootty and Faahad Faasil.
Mammootty in Patriot and Adoor Gopalakrishnan’s untitled film– pairing with Mohanlal in a thriller and with the maestro Adoor in an art film.
Nani in The Paradise– Telugu action thriller releasingMarch 26.
Ram Charan in Peddi– Telugu sports drama releasingMarch 27.
This surge ofpan-India releasesfrom South stars adds another layer of competition for Shah Rukh, Salman, and Aamir.
2026 promises afascinating mix of youthful energy and veteran dominance. While Ranveer Singh and Ranbir Kapoor aim to stake their claim, theKhans—Shah Rukh, Salman, and Aamir—remain formidable forces. At 60, they are far from being sidelined, continuing to shape Bollywood’s box office landscape.
