17 March, 2026
dhurandhar-2-outshines-toxic-in-north-america-with-record-pre-sales

‘Dhurandhar 2’, starring Ranveer Singh, has taken the North American box office by storm, outpacing Yash’s ‘Toxic’ in advance bookings. This development comes as both films gear up for their highly anticipated releases, with ‘Dhurandhar 2’ building on the success of its predecessor and ‘Toxic’ generating significant buzz in India.

The North American market has shown a clear preference for ‘Dhurandhar 2’, with the film clocking advance bookings worth 33.7K USD. In the past 24 hours alone, sales surged by 159%, and the number of shows increased to 209. Over 1.9K tickets have been sold across 151 locations in the US, as per Venky Box Office. With 17 days remaining before the premiere, industry experts anticipate blockbuster-level pre-sales.

Comparative Analysis: ‘Dhurandhar 2’ vs. ‘Toxic’

While ‘Dhurandhar 2’ is gaining momentum in North America, ‘Toxic’ has registered pre-sales of 3.6K USD from 81 US locations. The film’s show count has risen to 122, with approximately 189 tickets sold so far. Despite these modest numbers, the film’s prospects remain promising, particularly given Yash’s recent success with ‘KGF Chapter 2’.

Kannada films are still establishing a consistent overseas footprint, but Yash’s star power could provide a boost. With 17 days left before release, ‘Toxic’ has ample time to increase its collections.

Historical Context and Market Dynamics

The success of ‘Dhurandhar 2’ in North America is indicative of a broader trend where Bollywood films often outperform regional films in international markets. The film features an ensemble cast including Sanjay Dutt, Arjun Rampal, and R. Madhavan, which adds to its appeal. Meanwhile, the domestic market may tell a different story, with ‘Toxic’ potentially dominating due to more screens in the south, such as in Kerala where it has double the number of screens compared to ‘Dhurandhar 2’.

According to a tweet by Venky Box Office, ‘Dhurandhar 2’ is maintaining robust momentum 16 days ahead of its release, eyeing a “record-breaking Hindi premiere number.” The film has already earned 67,112 USD through the sale of 3,932 tickets, pushing its advance sales past the 100K USD mark.

Future Prospects and Industry Implications

The success of ‘Dhurandhar 2’ in advance bookings suggests a strong opening weekend, which could set new records for Hindi films in North America. This could also influence future distribution strategies for Indian films overseas, highlighting the potential for Bollywood films to capture international audiences.

Meanwhile, ‘Toxic’ may still have a chance to close the gap, particularly with strategic marketing and additional screenings. As the release dates approach, both films will be closely watched by industry analysts and fans alike.

For now, Ranveer Singh and his team are leading the North American race, but the dynamic nature of the film industry means that fortunes can change rapidly. As additional shows are rolled out, the competition between these two films will continue to captivate audiences on both sides of the globe.