Dhurandhar vs Toxic at Box Office: Ranveer Singh Takes Early Lead in US Advance Bookings

The countdown to March 19 has begun, and the first signs of the impending box office face-off are already visible overseas.

Even before full-fledged promotions and domestic bookings kick in, advance sales in the United States have offered an early glimpse into audience preferences. In this initial round, Dhurandhar: The Revenge has surged ahead of Toxic: A Fairytale for Grown-Ups.

Ranveer Singh-starrer Dhurandhar has accumulated $33,723 in US pre-sales as of March 1. About 1,953 tickets across 209 scheduled shows in 151 locations have been sold. Trade insiders suggest that this figure represents only the beginning, as additional screens and showtimes are expected to be added closer to release, potentially boosting its advance tally further.

The enthusiasm surrounding the sequel is rooted in the remarkable performance of its predecessor. The original film turned into a worldwide blockbuster, amassing more than Rs 1,300 crore globally and contributing nearly $21 million from the US and Canada market alone. Notably, the sequel was shot concurrently with the first part and later structured as a separate installment well before the original hit theatres. This long-term planning appears to have strengthened brand recall and sustained audience interest.

Meanwhile, Yash's Toxic has begun its North American campaign on a smaller scale. Directed by Geetu Mohandas, the film has so far opened 122 shows across 81 US theatres, generating $3,665 from 189 premiere tickets sold. However, industry watchers caution against drawing firm conclusions at this stage. The film's complete overseas rollout is still pending, and its screen count is likely to rise significantly in the coming days.

Yash's last big-screen outing, KGF: Chapter 2, earned close to $7 million in North America, establishing him as a bankable name beyond regional markets. Since that success, his fan base has expanded nationally and internationally, adding an element of unpredictability to this clash. A wider release strategy for Toxic could quickly alter the current standings.

In terms of content, the two films are markedly different in tone and setting. Dhurandhar: The Revenge deepens its espionage narrative, blending political intrigue with large-scale action sequences. The ensemble cast includes Arjun Rampal, R. Madhavan, and Sanjay Dutt, with the story unfolding against the volatile backdrop of Pakistan's Lyari region.

Toxic, on the other hand, is positioned as a stylised and intense action drama. Yash is reportedly set to appear in multiple avatars, supported by a prominent cast that includes Nayanthara, Kiara Advani, Tara Sutaria, Huma Qureshi, and Rukmini Vasanth.

At present, the numbers tilt in favour of Ranveer Singh's spy saga. Yet, with Indian advance bookings yet to commence and theatre allocations still fluid overseas, the contest is far from decided. What has unfolded so far is merely the prologue to a high-voltage cinematic showdown.