Ranveer Singh’s Dhurandhar The Revenge to have paid previews before worldwide release? Advance booking begins March 7, sells 7,500 tickets in first hour

Ranveer Singh Dhurandhar The Revenge: The excitement around Ranveer Singh’s upcoming spy action spectacle Dhurandhar: The Revenge is reaching fever pitch as the film prepares for one of the most aggressive theatrical rollouts seen in recent Bollywood releases. After months of speculation, industry chatter and teaser glimpses, the film is now entering its final promotional phase — and the strategy behind its release suggests the makers are aiming for a record-breaking opening. Trade circles indicate that the sequel may introduce paid preview shows before its official worldwide release, a move designed to build early buzz while simultaneously boosting box-office numbers. For fans who have been waiting to watch the next chapter of the Dhurandhar universe, this essentially means an opportunity to see the film a full day before its official release in theatres worldwide on 19 March 2026.

With advance bookings now opening and cinemas preparing multiple preview screenings, the coming days could play a decisive role in shaping the film’s opening weekend trajectory.

Ranveer Singh Dhurandhar The Revenge: Paid preview shows planned a day before release

According to industry reports and trade sources, the makers are preparing special paid preview screenings on 18 March, just hours before the film’s official launch.

If confirmed, the move would allow Dhurandhar: The Revenge to begin generating revenue even before its official opening day.

Paid previews have quietly become a powerful tool in Bollywood’s marketing playbook. When demand is high, they help films:

For a sequel with massive expectations like Dhurandhar: The Revenge, the strategy could significantly boost its first-week numbers.

The excitement around the film was evident almost immediately after ticket sales opened. Advance booking reportedly began on 7 March at 11 am, allowing audiences to secure seats for the early preview screenings. Within just the first hour of bookings, around 7,500 tickets were reportedly sold, signalling strong demand even before the film’s official release. Cinemas across the country are said to be scheduling five to six shows per theatre for the preview evening, beginning at 5 pm and continuing late into the night. Trade insiders believe this could become one of the biggest paid preview rollouts ever attempted for an Indian film.

Ticket prices climb as demand surges

With anticipation running high, multiplex chains have already begun adjusting ticket prices for the preview shows.

Early reports suggest the following price ranges:

In many cities, this represents 10–25 per cent higher pricing than standard show tickets, reflecting the massive demand to watch the film before its official opening. For large-scale releases, premium pricing during preview screenings is a common strategy used to maximise early box-office revenue.

A longer runtime than the original?

Another detail sparking conversation among fans is the film’s reported runtime. Industry reports suggest the sequel may run close to four hours, making it one of the longest mainstream Indian films in recent years.

However, insiders suggest the final runtime could still be shortened before the theatrical release. If the reported duration remains unchanged, Dhurandhar: The Revenge could join the list of India’s longest commercial films ever released in cinemas.

The box office bar set by the first Dhurandhar

The sequel arrives with enormous expectations thanks to the remarkable performance of the first film. Released on 5 December 2025, the original Dhurandhar achieved impressive numbers:

The film went on to become a major box-office success and built a strong fan following for its espionage-driven narrative.

One key difference this time: the sequel will release pan-India, expanding beyond Hindi to include:

This wider release strategy could significantly increase the film’s reach and earnings potential.

Ranveer Singh Dhurandhar The Revenge: A strategic release window

Timing could also work strongly in the film’s favour.

Dhurandhar: The Revenge is scheduled to release during a festive period that includes:

Festivals often lead to higher theatre footfall across India, and trade analysts believe the film could cross Rs 100 crore worldwide on its opening day if audience response matches the hype. Another factor helping the film is reduced competition. With Yash’s Toxic reportedly postponed, the Ranveer Singh starrer could dominate the box office. While Pawan Kalyan’s Ustad Bhagat Singh is also releasing around the same time, it is expected to have limited presence in Hindi-speaking markets.

Ranveer Singh returns as Hamza Ali Mazari

At the heart of the film is Ranveer Singh, reprising his role as the intense and enigmatic spy Hamza Ali Mazari, also known as Jaskirat Singh Rangi. Written and directed by Aditya Dhar, the sequel promises a darker and more complex storyline within the Dhurandhar universe.

Star-studded cast of Dhurandhar: The Revenge

Alongside Ranveer Singh, the film features a powerful ensemble cast including:

The franchise is known for blending espionage drama with political intrigue, and the sequel is expected to deepen the story’s global stakes.

What the sequel may explore

While the makers have kept the storyline tightly under wraps, early reports suggest the film may follow Hamza Ali Mazari’s mission to dismantle powerful criminal networks operating across borders. A central conflict is expected to revolve around Major Iqbal, a calculating antagonist whose ambitions threaten to reshape the region’s power balance. At the same time, the sequel is also expected to delve deeper into Hamza’s past, revealing the events that shaped him into the spy audiences met in the first film.

Ranveer Singh Dhurandhar The Revenge: The countdown to release

With advance bookings already gaining momentum, cinemas preparing for paid preview screenings, and the film arriving during a major festive window, Dhurandhar: The Revenge is shaping up to be one of the biggest theatrical events of 2026.

For now, fans have their calendars marked:

If early ticket sales are any indication, Ranveer Singh’s return as Hamza Ali Mazari may well deliver one of the year’s biggest box-office openings.