The March 19 mega clash may still be weeks away, but the overseas box office has already begun picking sides. With limited US pre-sales quietly opening towards the end of February, Dhurandhar: The Revenge and Toxic: A Fairytale for Grown-Ups have entered their first round of competition — and the early edge belongs to Dhurandhar 2.Headlined by Ranveer Singh and directed by Aditya Dhar, the spy thriller sequel has clocked $33,723 in advance sales in the US as of March 1, according to Sacnilk. The film has sold 1,953 tickets across 209 shows in 151 theatres, according to trade data. The show count is expected to rise further as release week approaches.The first installment had emerged as a global juggernaut, grossing over Rs 1300 crore worldwide and earning $21 million in the US and Canada alone. Shot simultaneously with the original, the sequel was carved out as a second part months before the first film’s release — a strategy that now seems to be paying off in anticipation levels.
Toxic yet to go full scale in North America
In contrast, Yash’s Toxic has begun on a far more limited note overseas. Directed by Geetu Mohandas, the action drama has so far opened 122 shows in 81 US theatres, collecting $3,665 from 189 tickets sold for premiere screenings.However, trade insiders point out that the comparison is premature. Toxic is yet to roll out its full show slate in North America, and screen counts are likely to expand significantly in the coming days.Yash’s last release, KGF: Chapter 2, had grossed just under $7 million in North America. Since then, his nationwide appeal has only grown, adding unpredictability to the March 19 showdown.
Two stars, two genres, one date
Dhurandhar 2 continues its espionage narrative with a sprawling ensemble cast including Arjun Rampal, R. Madhavan and Sanjay Dutt, among others, set against the backdrop of Pakistan’s Lyari.Toxic, meanwhile, promises a stylised, violent action spectacle, with Yash reportedly playing multiple roles. The film also features Nayanthara, Kiara Advani, Tara Sutaria, Huma Qureshi and Rukmini Vasanth. For now, the overseas numbers indicate an early advantage for Ranveer Singh. But with Indian bookings yet to open and show counts still evolving, this is only the first chapter in what promises to be a high-stakes box office duel.
