Directed by Aditya Dhar and led by Ranveer Singh, Dhurandhar crossed the ₹1,000 crore mark worldwide, defying conventional wisdom. What makes its case especially striking is that the two-part structure was reportedly decided only days before release. Faced with the risk of compressing a politically and emotionally dense narrative into one film, the makers opted for a clean narrative break—ending Part 1 on a sharp cliffhanger rather than a diluted finale.

That creative gamble paid off. Audience curiosity translated into sustained momentum, and Dhurandhar 2 is now slated for a March 19, 2026 release.

Industry ripple effect

The success has triggered speculation that other mega-budget projects may rethink their release strategies. According to industry chatter, King, directed by Siddharth Anand and starring Shah Rukh Khan alongside Suhana Khan, is said to be under discussion for a potential two-part rollout.

Similarly, Love & War, a lavish period drama by Sanjay Leela Bhansali featuring Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt and Vicky Kaushal, is also rumoured to be exploring a staggered release due to its scale and ballooning budget.

Tentative timelines doing the rounds suggest Love & War could release in August 2026 with a follow-up in January 2027, while King may eye September 2026 and March 2027. However, no official confirmation has been made.

Lessons from the past

Bollywood’s history with two-part films is mixed. Franchises like Baahubali and KGF succeeded because Part 1 functioned as a complete, emotionally satisfying film while still propelling audiences toward the sequel. In contrast, projects such as Saaho and Brahmastra struggled, as viewers felt the first instalments served more as extended trailers than standalone cinematic experiences.

Trade analyst Komal Nahta has cautioned against reading too much into the rumours. He believes filmmakers like Bhansali and Shah Rukh Khan are unlikely to blindly replicate a trend, stressing that originality—not imitation—has driven their careers.

Cinema vs streaming

While staggered releases have flourished on streaming platforms like Netflix, cinema operates under different expectations. OTT audiences tolerate delayed payoffs through “volume drops,” but theatrical viewers pay upfront and expect narrative closure.

What Dhurandhar truly changed

Ultimately, Dhurandhar hasn’t rewritten the rulebook—it has restored confidence. It proved that audiences are still willing to invest in bold, politically charged stories and accept a two-part format when the storytelling earns their trust.

Whether King and Love & War follow the same path remains uncertain. The final decision will likely be made in the editing room. For now, Bollywood is watching closely—because copying success is easy, but replicating conviction is not.