Imagine a blockbuster so powerful it reshapes the entire movie landscape, pushing other films aside like a tidal wave— that's the raw dominance of Dhurandhar right now, and it's sparking debates in Bollywood like never before. But here's where it gets controversial: is this just smart business, or a rigged game favoring the big players? Stick around, because the twists in screen allocations for the upcoming Ikkis reveal a lot about how power plays out in theaters.
The unstoppable momentum of Dhurandhar continues to sweep through the box office, impacting not only ticket sales but also the visibility of competing films such as Kis Kisko Pyaar Karoon 2, Avatar: Fire And Ash, and the fresh rom-com Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri. As reported by Bollywood Hungama, tensions have flared over screen-sharing decisions, with Dhurandhar enjoying a clear edge from both distributors and theater owners. Fortunately, Ikkis—starring Agastya Nanda and the late Dharmendra, who is making his final big-screen appearance—hits screens tomorrow as the year's first major release in 2026. And here's the part most people miss: thanks to clever connections, it avoids the same bitter struggles, according to insights from Bollywood Hungama.
Dhurandhar’s Screen Time Slashed by Half in Many Single-Screen Theaters to Make Way for Ikkis Starting January 1; Dharmendra’s Farewell Film Outshines Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri in Show Count; Jio's Partnership Provides a Lifeline: Latest Bollywood Buzz from Bollywood Hungama
An insider from the exhibition world shared, 'Ikkis is handled by Jio Studios, the same team behind Dhurandhar's distribution and production. So, they're totally fine with scaling back Dhurandhar's slots now that the Ranveer Singh-led film has raked in massive profits. In fact, it's gearing up for its fifth week by Friday, January 2. As a result, they've negotiated for about 30-40% of the total shows for Ikkis.'
To break it down simply for newcomers to the industry scene, this means Ikkis is getting a fair slice of the pie without hurting the bottom line, since Dhurandhar has already proven its worth at the cash registers. The source elaborated, 'In venues with just two screens, they've requested four screenings per day. For three-screen spots, it's six shows, and eight in four-screen multiplexes. In bigger setups with five or more screens, they're aiming for over ten showings. And that's not the end of the strategy. In single-, two-, and three-screen cinemas, operators are told to avoid super early morning slots, likely because Ikkis is the kind of movie that builds buzz through word-of-mouth rather than catching the early bird crowd.'
The insider added, 'Plus, theaters must price tickets at standard weekend rates, keeping Ikkis accessible and affordable for fans.'
A seasoned industry analyst chimed in, 'It's possible Ikkis is getting more screenings in a hub like Mumbai compared to Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri, even though the latter appealed to a broader audience as a romantic comedy. The real edge for Ikkis lies in securing spots in single-screen theaters where it can draw in dedicated viewers. Just last week, those spots were dominated by Dhurandhar alone.'
Bollywood Hungama's dive into theater listings shows Dhurandhar's daily show count dropping from four to two starting tomorrow in key single-screen venues such as Gold Cinema Santacruz, Chitra, Plaza, Roxy, Citylight, Star City, MovieTime Dahisar, Inox Nakshatra Dadar, PVR Le Reve, MovieTime Suburbia, and Gold Cinema Dadar. Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri was relegated to smaller options, missing out on giants like Gaiety and Galaxy at the G7 Multiplex. Instead, it landed shows in the 228-seat Gemini and the 105-seat Gossip. On the flip side, Ikkis will enjoy four daily screenings in the expansive 819-seat Galaxy—a clear win for Dharmendra's swan song.
Many single-screen theaters are balancing their schedules with two shows each for Dhurandhar and Ikkis, plus one for the Marathi film Krantijyoti Vidyalay Marathi Madhyam, featuring Sachin Khedekar and marking Prajakta Koli's Marathi debut. This mix ensures a bit of variety for local tastes.
Across the nation, some single-screen cinemas might skip Ikkis altogether due to its selective rollout, while theaters in high-traffic areas will keep Dhurandhar spinning. In Mumbai's Anand, Kasturba, Gold Cinema Borivali, and Gold Cinema Thane, shows are split solely between Dhurandhar and Krantijyoti Vidyalay Marathi Madhyam, tailored to what their regulars prefer.
But here's the controversy that might surprise you: is this favoritism within the same studio a smart way to nurture new talent, or does it unfairly overshadow indie projects? Some argue it's innovation in a competitive market, while others see it as a monopoly tactic that stifles creativity. What do you think—does the film industry need stricter rules to ensure equal play for all, or is this just how the blockbuster game rolls? Share your take in the comments below!
Also Read: EXCLUSIVE: Sriram Raghavan reveals how Arun Khetrapal’s brother reacted after watching Ikkis: “He had long chat with Agastya Nanda; told us, ‘Now, I imagine what Arun must have gone through…’” (https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/features/exclusive-sriram-raghavan-reveals-arun-khetrapals-brother-reacted-watching-ikkis-long-chat-agastya-nanda-told-us-now-imagine-arun-must/)
More Pages: Dhurandhar Box Office Collection (https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movie/dhurandhar/box-office/) , Dhurandhar Movie Review (https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movie/dhurandhar/critic-review/dhurandhar-movie-review/dhurandhar-is-a-big-screen-experience/)
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