'Ustaad...' vs 'Dhurandhar 2': Which film will rule Telugu states?
What's the story
The box office is set for a major showdown soon with the release of Ranveer Singh's Dhurandhar 2 and Pawan Kalyan's Ustaad Bhagat Singh. The latter was recently advanced to March 19, a week earlier than its original date. This strategic move comes after Yash's Toxic was pushed to June due to the ongoing Middle East conflict, leaving Dhurandhar 2 without immediate competition.
Expert opinions
Will 'Dhurandhar 2' impact 'Ustaad...' business?
Speaking about the clash's impact in Telugu states, industry tracker Ramesh Bala told Variety India, "It shouldn't affect Ustaad Bhagat... opening." "The long run depends on the content of the film, and Telugu states have enough screens to accommodate both." Veteran trade analyst Taran Adarsh emphasized, "In Telugu states, Pawan Kalyan is one of the biggest stars, and Ustaad Bhagat Singh will be taking a mind-blowing opening." "Pawan Kalyan is a major star, and Dhurandhar 2 will have to compete."
New challenger
'Ustaad Bhagat Singh' adds new dimension to box office battle
With Toxic out of the picture, Dhurandhar 2 was expected to have a clear path at the box office. However, Kalyan's film has altered things now. While Ustaad Bhagat Singh may not be a pan-India offering like Toxic, Kalyan's star power could potentially affect Dhurandhar 2's performance in Telugu states. Dhurandhar: The Revenge is gearing up for a pan-India release and will premiere in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada.
Film profiles
Cast and crew of the films
Ustaad Bhagat Singh, directed by Harish Shankar, features Kalyan in the lead role. The film also stars Sreeleela, Raashii Khanna, Nawab Shah, Ashutosh Rana, B. S. Avinash, and Gautami in pivotal roles. Meanwhile, Dhurandhar 2 is an action thriller featuring R Madhavan, Arjun Rampal, and Sanjay Dutt among the cast. Aditya Dhar has directed the anticipated film.