Two major pan-Indian releases are headed for a direct box office face-off on March 19, 2026, with Yash’s Toxic: A Fairytale for Grown-Ups and Ranveer Singh’s Dhurandhar 2 set to release in theatres on the same day.
Online discussions among fans of both stars intensified this week following the release of a teaser from Toxic.
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Teaser release adds fuel to anticipation
The makers of Toxic released an R-rated teaser on Thursday to coincide with Yash’s birthday. The glimpse introduces Yash as Raya, offering a first look at the film’s tone and setting. Directed as a gritty crime drama, Toxic is set in a backdrop of 1980s Goa and centres on the operations of a powerful drug cartel operating beneath the region’s nightlife and tourist economy.
The film has been described by its team as a darker, more grounded narrative compared to Yash’s earlier commercial films, though reactions to the teaser have been mixed.
Meanwhile, Dhurandhar 2, led by Ranveer Singh will follows the success of the first instalment and the sequel is expected to expand the scale of the storyline with higher stakes and larger action set-pieces.
Fans divided as comparisons grow
With both films targeting the same release date, social media platforms have seen some heightened debate, with fans drawing comparisons between the two projects. While some viewers have been comparing the situation to previous high-profile release clashes, others have expressed interest in watching both the films.
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While supporters of Toxic have highlighted its setting and crime-driven narrative, fans of Dhurandhar 2 remain confident in the sequel’s box office appeal. Trade observers note that the outcome may depend on word-of-mouth in the opening weekend, given the overlap in audience reach.
As of now, neither production house has announced plans to alter release schedules. With just weeks remaining, the March 19 showdown is going to be one of the most closely watched box office weekends of the year.
