Bollywood's Two-Part Gamble: Success or Strategy?

Aditya Dhar's Dhurandhar has achieved more than a Rs 1,000 crore box office success; it has reignited discussions about the viability of two-part film releases in today's market. The spy thriller, starring Ranveer Singh, was strategically divided into two parts shortly before its release, a decision made to preserve its narrative integrity and climax. This gamble proved successful, ending on a cliffhanger that is now building momentum for Dhurandhar 2, slated for a March 19, 2026 release.

The success of Dhurandhar has prompted speculation that other large-scale productions might follow suit. Films such as Shah Rukh Khan's King and Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Love & War are reportedly reconsidering their release strategies, with potential two-part rollouts targeting late 2026 and early 2027. While Dhurandhar's narrative choices resonated, Bollywood's history with split films is mixed, with successes like Baahubali and KGF contrasted by failures like Saaho and Brahmastra, which were criticized for weak first parts.

Trade analysts caution against blindly copying strategies, emphasizing originality. While streaming platforms frequently use staggered releases effectively, theatrical releases face different audience expectations due to upfront payments. Ultimately, decisions for King and Love & War remain pending, contingent on editing and audience reception. Dhurandhar's impact lies in reinforcing confidence in original, bold storytelling that can captivate audiences despite franchise fatigue.