Dhurandhar 2 advance booking collection: The buzz around Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge has begun long before its official release, and if the early numbers are anything to go by, the film may already be marching towards a record-breaking start.

Directed by Aditya Dhar and headlined by Ranveer Singh, the much-anticipated sequel has generated an extraordinary response in advance ticket sales for its special paid previews.

What makes this even more interesting is the timing. The film arrives during a festive window - Eid, Gudi Padwa and Ugadi - traditionally considered one of the most lucrative periods for cinema in India. With audiences eager to revisit the gritty spy universe introduced in the first film, advance bookings for the preview show have already delivered impressive numbers. But the big question now circulating in trade circles is simple: can Dhurandhar 2 surpass the preview record set by Pawan Kalyan's They Call Him OG?

Massive start: Dhurandhar 2 sells 2.8 lakh tickets before release

The advance booking window opened soon after the trailer of the film dropped last week, and the response was immediate. Within the first 24 hours alone, more than one lakh tickets were snapped up by eager viewers, signalling strong interest in the sequel. The momentum has continued steadily since then.

According to early box office tracking data:

• Total tickets sold so far: 2.8 lakh
• Advance collection in India: Rs 15.64 crore
• With block bookings included: around Rs 21.19 crore

These numbers come purely from the paid preview shows scheduled on March 18, a day before the film's global release. For a film whose regular weekend bookings have not even opened yet, the figures are already attracting attention across the trade industry.

Why the paid preview strategy is turning heads

In recent years, preview shows held a day before release have emerged as a clever marketing and financial strategy. They help build early buzz while also adding a sizeable chunk to opening day collections. For Dhurandhar 2, the strategy appears to be working exceptionally well. The film's preview screenings will take place on March 18, with the worldwide theatrical release scheduled for March 19. If the current pace continues, trade analysts believe the preview earnings could climb dramatically.

Several reports suggest the film may cross Rs 35 crore from preview shows alone, a number that would immediately place it among the biggest preview openings in Indian cinema.

Can Ranveer Singh beat Pawan Kalyan's preview record?

The current benchmark for preview earnings is held by Pawan Kalyan's Telugu action drama They Call Him OG. Released in 2025 and directed by Sujeeth, the film reportedly earned around Rs 25 crore from its paid preview shows alone, an impressive feat that set a new standard for pre-release box office performance.

With Dhurandhar 2 already crossing Rs 21 crore from advance sales, the record is now well within reach. If the projections of Rs 35 crore preview revenue hold true, Ranveer Singh's spy thriller could comfortably surpass the existing record and create a new milestone.

Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge - a sequel to a box-office phenomenon

The excitement surrounding the sequel is not surprising. The first Dhurandhar, released in December 2025, became one of the biggest action hits of the year and established a high-octane espionage universe. Directed by Aditya Dhar, the franchise blends intelligence operations, global conspiracies and stylised action sequences - elements that helped the first film connect strongly with audiences.

The sequel continues the story, promising a darker and more intense narrative.

Star cast of Dhurandhar 2

The film features an ensemble cast, including:

• Ranveer Singh
• Arjun Rampal
• Sanjay Dutt
• R Madhavan
• Sara Arjun
• Rakesh Bedi
• Danish Pandor
• Gaurav Gera

The large ensemble and the franchise's growing popularity have significantly contributed to the strong advance sales.

The biggest mystery: Who is 'Bade Saab'?

While the trailer revealed glimpses of explosive action and international espionage, one key question continues to intrigue fans. The mysterious character was referenced in the first film but never fully revealed, turning it into one of the biggest cliffhangers of the franchise. According to several reports circulating in the industry, Emraan Hashmi may appear as the ultimate antagonist behind the shadowy figure of Bade Saab. However, the makers have kept the detail tightly guarded, adding to the suspense. If the speculation turns out to be true, it could introduce a powerful new villain into the Dhurandhar universe.