235 minutes, 35% more occupancy, one giant GAMBLE: Is Dhurandhar The Revenge’s length its biggest risk or its ultimate aura?

A few days are left for the release of Dhurandhar The Revenge, and the excitement is at an all-time high, as evident from the advance booking numbers.

 The film has everything going in its favor—event value, sequel advantage, franchise recall, super-premium ticket pricing, and the sort of hysteria only a rare big-screen spectacle can generate. However, amid all the buzz, one factor continues to dominate trade discussions: its mammoth 235-minute runtime.

There was a time when lengthy films were not seen as a deterrent.

 In fact, several of the biggest blockbusters in Hindi cinema had runtimes well above the conventional limit. In the modern era, however, the dynamics have shifted. The accepted wisdom in the trade is that a film ideally shouldn't exceed the 2 hours and 30 minutes mark. There are two key reasons behind this. First, in an age of shrinking attention spans, a section of moviegoers prefers tighter and crisper storytelling. Second, and more importantly from a business point of view, runtime directly impacts showcasing.

A standard event film with a runtime of around 150 minutes can usually accommodate about five shows a day in a multiplex.

 But when a film stretches close to four hours, that number drops. With trailers, interval, audience movement, and cleaning time also needing to be factored in, exhibitors may only be able to schedule around four shows a day. In short, Dhurandhar The Revenge will have fewer opportunities to sell tickets than a shorter tentpole release.

That’s where the box office mathematics becomes especially interesting.

 To deliver the same opening-day numbers as a conventional blockbuster, Dhurandhar The Revenge will need much stronger occupancy per show. As per trade estimates, because of the reduced showcasing, the film may need around 35% higher occupancy than a standard 2.5-hour event film to arrive at a similar Day 1 figure. In other words, the margin for error is narrower. The showcasing is lower, and hence, the pressure on each individual show is significantly higher.

This is why the conversation around runtime is not merely about whether the film is 'engaging' or 'slow'.

 It is also about sustainability. A front-loaded event film can still explode over the opening weekend on the back of hype, franchise pull, and premium pricing. But the real challenge begins after that. If the content is praised, the long runtime can add to the sense of scale and grandeur. However, if the narrative around pacing turns mixed, the weekday trend can come under pressure much faster than usual.

Interestingly, this concern was also heard in certain quarters during the run of Dhurandhar (2025).

 While audiences were unanimous in praising the scale, ambition, and cinematic experience, some viewers did mention pacing as one of the shortcomings. With Dhurandhar The Revenge, the stakes are even higher because the runtime has increased and the expectations are far bigger.

There are, of course, two ways in which a film can offset the show-count disadvantage.

 The first is by charging premium ticket prices. The second is by ensuring massive footfalls in the available showcasing. Dhurandhar The Revenge appears to be attempting both.

The pricing strategy can definitely help deliver huge gross numbers in the opening phase and also a record opening, thereby partly compensating for the fewer number of shows.

 But over the long run, theatrical success is ultimately determined by footfalls. If a film is aiming for the Rs. 1000 crore worldwide milestone, it cannot rely only on premium pricing. It needs sustained audience volume, repeat viewings, and strong occupancies beyond the initial fan-driven rush.

That is why the runtime issue matters so much.

 From a pure economics standpoint, 235 minutes is a challenge. It means lower showcasing, more programming pressure for exhibitors, and a greater dependence on extraordinary occupancy levels. But from a theatrical-event standpoint, Dhurandhar The Revenge may also be one of the very few films with enough pre-release hype to overcome this handicap.

And that’s what makes the situation so fascinating.

 The runtime, in many ways, is both the film’s biggest risk and its biggest aura. If the content delivers, the length will be seen as a part of the epic experience, something that enhances the spectacle and makes the film feel larger than life. But if the film falters in engagement, the same factor could become the single biggest roadblock in its journey.

Hence, Dhurandhar The Revenge is not just attempting to emerge as a blockbuster.

 It is attempting to defeat theatrical mathematics itself.

The question, therefore, is no longer whether demand exists.

 That much is already visible from the booking trends. The real question is whether 235 minutes of cinema can generate enough moolah, quickly enough and consistently enough, to finally break the Rs. 1000 crore curse.

Sidharth Malhotra to reunite with Karan Johar for new Dharma Productions project: Report

It seems that 2026 might bring another project involving Sidharth Malhotra and filmmaker Karan Johar. A story from Mid-Day says that Malhotra is currently talking about a new movie that will be supported by Dharma Productions.

This movie is going to be a drama that deals with deep emotions and complicated relationships between people.

 The film will be directed by Sharan Sharma, who has worked on Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl and Mr & Mrs Mahi before.

If this project goes ahead, it will be another time Sidharth works with Karan Johar, as they have been working together for a long time.

 Malhotra first appeared in Bollywood with Johar’s movie Student of the Year in 2012 and has worked with him on several other projects, including the 2024 action film Yodha.

A person who spoke to the report said that the production company is excited to work with Sidharth again and feels the story fits with how he acts on screen.

 “The studio wants to work with Sidharth again and thinks the project suits his image. He really liked the idea when it was first mentioned last year. He gave his verbal approval then and wanted to read the script before making a final decision. Now, the discussions are almost finished,” the person said.

The report also says that if everything goes smoothly, the film might start shooting in the summer of 2026, with the main filming taking place in Mumbai.

On his acting front, Sidharth was recently seen in Param Sundari with Janhvi Kapoor.

 He has some big projects coming up, including Vvan, which is supported by Balaji Telefilms and The Viral Fever, and will also star alongside Tamannaah Bhatia. Readers might remember that earlier in January, source shared that Sidharth Malhotra has been cast in a commercial entertainer, which will be produced by Mahaveer Jain under his own banner, Mahaveer Jain Films, and directed by Rajkumar Santoshi.

Box Office Predictions: Dhurandhar The Revenge set to open around Rs. 35 crores on Wednesday evening paid previews

More than 100 days after the release of Dhurandhar, finally there is a movie coming that is expected to have a great opening at the box office. That movie is the second part of the series, Dhurandhar - The Revenge. This shows how there has been a long gap with films that have opened reasonably well at the box office, except for Border 2, none has managed to start with even a decent opening.

There has been a lot of positive buzz around this Aditya Dhar blockbuster series, and that can be seen from the fact that even though a few days are still left before the film arrives, advance bookings have been very fast.

 So much so that theaters are now facing full capacity issues, and even those in remote areas outside the main cities are making plans for the 5 PM showing on Wednesday evening.

As of now, a start of Rs. 35 crores is already set for the Ranveer Singh starrer action drama.

 By the time the film opens, over 5 lakh tickets are already expected to be sold. This is a very rare pre-release number, and we are talking about just the 5 PM to 11:55 PM window, as films usually start their first showing around 9 AM. Dhurandhar - The Revenge is a 4-hour film and even night shows are fully booked. A total of Rs. 40 crores is also a possibility for this film, and any remaining seats that are still available will depend on last-minute bookings.

Veteran actress Madhu Malhotra, known for ‘Lambi Judaai’ from Hero, dies at 72

Veteran Hindi film actor Madhu Malhotra died on March 13 at the age of 72. She was known for her work in many famous movies from the late 1970s and 1980s. Her filmography includes roles in popular Hindi films like Satte Pe Satta, Karz, Hero, Vishwanath, Rishta Kagaz Ka, and Qayamat.

 The song, originally performed by famous folk singer Reshma, became one of the most popular tracks from the film.

Although she may not have always been in the public eye, Malhotra was a regular face in many films of that time.

 Her work in several mainstream movies and her contribution to one of Hindi cinema's beloved songs helped keep her in the memory of moviegoers from that era.

Red Lorry Film Festival 2026: Ram Gopal Varma’s SHOCKING confession at Bhoot screening: “Even after 24 years, the flat where we shot is still VACANT; NOBODY wants to stay in that apartment”

After talking to the audience about his film *Shiva* (1990) on the first day of the Red Lorry Film Festival 2026, Ram Gopal Varma also took part in the second day of the festival. He met fans after the screening of his popular horror movie *Bhoot* (2003) and shared some interesting facts.

He said, "I’ve been a huge fan of *The Exorcist* (1973) since I was a teenager.

 After watching it, I couldn’t sleep properly. I wasn’t myself for a month. I used to be scared of everyone, even my family!"  

He added, "When I was making *Bhoot*, the original idea was to set it in a haveli, but it was the most clichéd thing at that time.

 One of the assistants said, 'The haveli is done to death and is the most obvious choice for a horror film. Why don’t we set it in Goa by the sea?' I thought, 'Why go to an exotic place? Why not set it in Lokhandwala?' (smiles). I think horror works best when people in the theater feel, 'This could happen to me at home.' The more relatable it is, the more real it feels."  

He continued, "Once I decided to set the film in the city, I dropped the idea of a bungalow and chose an apartment because it would be most familiar to people.

"  

When asked how long it took to shoot *Bhoot*, RGV said, "I completed the film in just 30 days because I shot most of it in one apartment.

 Here’s an interesting fact: The film was shot in 2002. It’s been over 20 years, and even today, that flat is still vacant! It became quite famous after the film was released, and nobody wants to stay in that apartment. It’s in the Lokhandwala Complex. I can’t remember the name of the building."

Kiran Shantaram backs Siddhant Chaturvedi for V Shantaram biopic; hopes for November 18, 2026 release

A big moment happened recently that showed how much people care about old movies. At a public event, Kiran Shantaram, a well-known person in the film world, talked about a new movie about the famous director V. Shantaram. He was giving an award to actor Siddhant Chaturvedi at the same time.

During the event, Kiran Shantaram told the crowd that the movie is being made to honor his father's big contributions to Indian cinema.

 He said it's very special because it's happening on the 125th birthday of V. Shantaram, who was one of the first people to really change how Indian movies were made, from silent films to movies with sound and color.

He explained that the movie is meant to celebrate V. Shantaram's life and work, and the team wants to release it on November 18, 2026, which is a big milestone.

Kiran also said he believes in Siddhant Chaturvedi, who will play V. Shantaram in the movie.

 The actor has been picked to show the famed director's life and how he changed Indian cinema.

The film will tell the story of a very important director who made movies like Do Aankhen Barah Haath, Navrang, and Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baaje.

 These movies had important messages and were full of creative ideas, leaving a big mark on how stories are told in India.

For Siddhant Chaturvedi, playing V. Shantaram is a huge role in his career.

 He first became famous with his role in Gully Boy and has always admired V. Shantaram's bravery and creativity.

The movie is meant to teach people about V. Shantaram's story and his belief that movies could be a way to bring about social change.

The movie is being made by people from the Shantaram family and others in the industry.

 It will be both a tribute to V. Shantaram and an important moment in Indian culture, celebrating one of the country's most influential filmmakers.

Rajkummar Rao and Keerthy Suresh headline Amazon MGM Studios’ Raftaar, releasing in theaters on July 24, 2026

 Amazon MGM Studios has shared that their movie Raftaar will be shown in theaters on July 24, 2026. The film is directed by Aditya Nimbalkar and made by Patralekhaa through Kampa Film. It is also being handled by Tarun Bali as an executive producer. The story and screenplay are written by Rohan Narula. The main actors in the movie are Rajkummar Rao and Keerthy Suresh. The film also has a group of talented actors including Anurag Thakur, Rohan Verma, Tanya Maniktala, and Rajat Kapoor who play important roles.

Raftaar takes place in a world where ambition leads to big successes, but also brings big costs.

 The story centers around a growing start-up and the intense relationship between a determined man and a highly driven woman. As money, power, and greed take over, their desire to win starts to conflict with their feelings for each other. The climb to success is exciting, but after falling, the question is simple: can they find a way back to the top, or is this the end?

Raftaar, an Amazon MGM Studios movie, will be shown in theaters on July 24, 2026.