Did the Toxic birthday teaser just confirm Dhurandhar 2’s edge over the Yash film in the March 19 box office clash?
Ever since Dhurandhar 2’s release date was announced, netizens felt that Ranveer Singh’s film had an advantage on account of being a sequel, but that it would also depend on reception to Toxic.
Last Updated: 06.24 PM, Jan 08, 2026
March 19, 2026 was the date that Rocking Star Yash had booked for his first release in 4 years, Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown Ups, several months ago. He’d get a solo release over the Eid 2026 holiday, it was thought. But then, along came Ranveer Singh with his 2-part Dhurandhar, the first of which became a runaway hit and the second then set to clash with Toxic at the box office. Dhurandhar 2, many felt, had an edge over Toxic, which has been affirmed further following the criticism meted out to the recent teaser of the Yash-starrer. Here’s what’s happening…
Dhurandhar 2 has the sequel advantage and...
As a sequel, there is a certain intrigue and expectation surrounding Dhurandhar 2, and audiences who propelled the first film to such heights would want to see how the rest of the story plays out. It’s the exact same advantage that Baahubali 2, KGF: Chapter 2 and Kantara Chapter 1 had on account of the popularity of the original films. The difference, though, is that all the south films had multi-language releases and reaped benefits from such reach, while Dhurandhar has achieved success as a Hindi-only release.
Dhurandhar 2 was expected to eat into a Toxic’s market in the Hindi belt, which one might think should not worry a south film much. But if one were to inspect the breakdown of KGF: 2’s earnings, it becomes clear just how important a good opening in the Hindi market is for Toxic. Nearly half of KGF: 2’s Rs 1200 worldwide gross came from the Hindi version. Trackers estimate an all-India net of Rs 435 cr for the Hindi dubbed version, against the Rs 154 cr from the original Kannada version. Tamil and Telugu contributed Rs 105 cr and Rs 111 cr respectively, while Malayalam did a tad under Rs 50 cr.
Going by that logic, even if Toxic takes over the south, put together, it does not come close to what the Hindi market has on offer. Given the film’s rumoured Rs 600 cr+ budget, it is imperative for the Yash starrer to find a foothold in the Hindi market too. Audience disappointment in the two teasers of Toxic that have been released so far has been a massive dampener for the film.
Director Geetu Mohandas and Yash have lived up to the film’s tagline – A Fairy Tale for Grown Ups – with the second teaser, in particular, being likened to soft porn, what with the leading man making out in the back of a car before blowing up a cemetery, where his supposed rivals had gathered for a funeral and then unleashing further carnage.
Amid all the negativity coming Toxic’s way, audiences now say that Dhurandhar 2 will face little competition in theatres. “Congrats #Dhurandhar2, you have no competition. Geetu Mohandas, copying Tommy Shelby isn’t the issue — copying him poorly is. Such a waste of #Yash’s peak years,” wrote a netizen, while another added, “Dhurandhar 2 will eat Toxic the movie”.
Toxic FAQs
Q. Who is the director of Toxic A Fairy Tale for Grown Ups?
A. Toxic A Fairy Tale for Adults has been directed by Moothon maker Geetu Mohandas in what is her Kannada debut. She has co-written the film with leading man Yash.
Q. Where to watch Toxic A Fairy Tale for Grown Ups?
A. Toxic will be in theatres on March 19, 2026. A Kannada original film, it will have dubbed versions in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and English as well.