

‘Dhurandhar 2’ breaches the Rs. 1,000 crore box office mark and Bollywood believes there is room for more
Subscribe to enjoy similar stories.With Dhurandhar: The Revenge crossing the ₹1,000 crore mark at the domestic box office—becoming the first Hindi film to do so—industry watchers believe India’s theatrical potential could stretch to ₹1,200–1,500 crore for the right film.But unlocking that ceiling is far from easy.Films remain constrained by limited and uneven screen penetration across smaller towns, high ticket pricing that curbs footfalls, and intense competition that shortens exclusive theatrical runs. Add to that the shortage of consistently mass-appealing commercial entertainers, and record-breaking numbers become rare events rather than the norm.“The success of the Dhurandhar franchise clearly highlights the headroom in India’s theatrical market and demonstrates how scale-driven content can unlock exceptional outcomes,” said said Bhuvanesh Mendiratta, managing director, Miraj Entertainment Ltd.The opportunity is significant, but structural challenges persist.Screen penetration remains the biggest constraint.
Expansion is slowed by high real estate costs and regulatory complexities—particularly in tier-two and tier-three markets where demand already exists. India’s screen density—around seven to eight screens per million—remains significantly below global benchmarks, underlining the growth potential.While Dhurandhar 2 commanded an average ticket price (ATP) higher than most films, trade experts caution against viewing it as a template.Affordability remains critical for sustained consumption.
Footfalls have seen a steady decline in recent years, partly due to steep ticket prices and a proliferation of alternative entertainment options. Improving admissions, rather than pushing premium pricing, may be the more
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