Border 2 vs. Dhurandhar 2: Exhibitors Reportedly Reject Anil Thadani's Clubbing Strategy for Yash-Starrer Toxic
The distribution landscape for 2026 is witnessing a high-stakes standoff between major film distributors and theatre exhibitors. According to a scoop by Bollywood Hungama, veteran distributor Anil Thadani (AA Films) is reportedly attempting to use the massive leverage of Sunny Deol's Border 2 to secure prime showcasing for another highly anticipated project, the Yash-starrer Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-ups. This clubbing strategy is a common industry practice where a distributor mandates that exhibitors screen a specific slate of films as a package deal in exchange for the rights to a guaranteed blockbuster. However, this move has reportedly met with significant resistance from exhibitors, primarily due to the impending arrival of Aditya Dhar's Dhurandhar 2. Following the All-Time Blockbuster status of the first Dhurandhar in 2025, the sequel starring Ranveer Singh has become one of the most sought-after titles for 2026. Theatre owners are currently hesitant to sign any restrictive package deals for Border 2 and Toxic because doing so would severely limit their ability to allot the required number of screens and shows to Dhurandhar 2 during its release window. The conflict stems from the sheer volume of high-profile content scheduled for the first half of 2026. As previously reported, Border 2 already carries a massive 199-minute runtime and distributors have already demanded up to 20 shows a day in major multiplexes. Exhibitors argue that if they are further forced to commit a specific number of screens to Toxic as part of a clubbing deal, they will have virtually no flexibility to accommodate the Dhurandhar Universe sequel, which is expected to command a similar, if not larger, screen count. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Trade analysts suggest that this pushback from exhibitors highlights the changing dynamics of film exhibition in the post-pandemic era, where content is king and theatre owners prefer the freedom to program based on organic demand rather than distributor pressure. While Anil Thadani remains one of the most powerful figures in film distribution, the record-breaking success of the first Dhurandhar has given exhibitors enough confidence to negotiate terms that allow them to capitalize on multiple blockbusters rather than being tied to a single distributor's slate. As of now, negotiations are reportedly ongoing. The outcome of this standoff will likely dictate the initial screen count for both Toxic and Dhurandhar 2. With Border 2 already poised for a historic Republic Day opening, the industry is closely watching how these logistical battles play out, as they will ultimately determine the box office potential of 2026's biggest cinematic events.
