BY CHRISTA LINCY

The digital reception for the glimpse of Dragon has reached a significant milestone within just one week of its release. Based on the latest YouTube data, the first look has officially surpassed 105 million views across all languages. This achievement places the film in a very exclusive category, making it only the third movie glimpse in the history of Indian cinema to cross the 100 million views mark. A major driver behind this record-breaking trajectory was the video's performance in its initial 24 hours. During its first day, the glimpse recorded 64 million views, setting an all-time record for a first-day debut. The reach in the Hindi-speaking belt has been particularly noteworthy, with the Hindi version alone contributing over 25 million views and nearly 300k likes. This level of engagement suggests a strong pan-India interest that extends well beyond the primary regional markets. Dragon currently sits at the third spot on the all-time list, trailing just behind Peddi and Toxic. With the way views are still coming in, the glimpse is expected to cross the 110 million mark set by Toxic very soon. Once it does, it will officially claim the second position on the historical leaderboard. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Top 3 Most-Viewed Movie Glimpses in Indian CinemaRANKMOVIE TITLELEAD ACTORTOTAL VIEWS#1PeddiAllu Arjun / Nani175 Million+#2ToxicYash110 Million+#3DragonJr. NTR105 Million+ Director Prashanth Neel has been developing this project quietly for years, setting the story in the late 1960s. The plot follows an assassin named Luger, played by Jr. NTR, who operates in the border regions between India, Bhutan, and China. This cross-border conspiracy storyline, paired with Ravi Basrur’s heavy industrial music, has clearly hit the right note with fans looking for a gritty periodic action-thriller. While the film was fast-tracked ahead of other anticipated projects, the extensive pre-production required for its 1960s setting appears to be showing in the visual quality of the glimpse. As the video continues to trend, it solidifies its place among the elite trio of Indian films that have managed to break the 100 million views barrier. The focus now shifts to whether the film can maintain this momentum as it moves toward further promotional releases.

BY CHRISTA LINCY

It has been over a decade since Homi Adajania's Cocktail arrived in theaters, yet the film remains a definitive benchmark for the urban romantic-comedy genre in India. While many films from that era have faded, Cocktail is still a staple on playlists and streaming platforms. With the spiritual sequel, Cocktail 2, scheduled for release on June 19, 2026, the big question is whether this fresh trio can capture the same lightning in a bottle that the original did back in 2012. Back in 2012, the film was produced on a modest 35 Crore budget and turned into a significant commercial success. Its journey began with a 10.95 Crore opening Friday, followed by a steady first week that closed at 53.18 Crore. By the time it exited theaters, the domestic net stood at 71.24 Crore while the worldwide gross reached 121.78 Crore. For that period, these numbers were a strong indicator that audiences were looking for more grounded and contemporary narratives. A huge part of that cult status came from the music. Pritam's soundtrack wasn’t just a collection of songs; it was the heartbeat of the film. From the friendship anthems like Tumhi Ho Bandhu and Daaru Desi to the emotional depth of Yaariyan and Jugni, the album dominated every chart. Even today, tracks like Angreji Beat remain club staples. The album peaked at rank 18 on iTunes India and remains one of the top three Bollywood albums of 2012. For many fans, the music was the primary reason for the film's long-term longevity. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Beyond the music, the film was a career-defining moment for Deepika Padukone. By choosing to play the impulsive and fiercely independent Veronica instead of the traditional Meera, she subverted the classic bad girl trope. Instead of being the villain, Veronica was humanized—showing that a woman could be westernized and flawed yet deeply empathetic and loyal. The chemistry between Saif Ali Khan, Deepika, and debutante Diana Penty created a messy, realistic love triangle that felt authentic to the youth of that decade. Now, fast forward to 2026, and Homi Adajania is back in the director's chair for Cocktail 2. This time, the film features a fresh cast led by Shahid Kapoor, Kriti Sanon, and Rashmika Mandanna. Produced by Dinesh Vijan under Maddock Films in collaboration with Luv Ranjan, the project has already wrapped its filming in locations like Sicily and Delhi. Dimple Kapadia returns to the franchise, joined by Sanjay Dutt, Rohit Saraf, and a supporting appearance by Varun Dhawan. However, the sequel faces a high bar. The initial music reception has been divided. While Pritam returns as the composer, the first single Mashooqa faced plagiarism allegations, with listeners comparing its melody to a 1993 Italian track. While the visuals and the sizzling chemistry between Shahid and Kriti have been praised, critical listeners feel the new tracks have a tough task matching the masterpiece of 2012. The sequel needs to do more than just look glamorous; it has to capture the same raw emotional honesty that made the first film a classic. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) With Shahid Kapoor and Kriti Sanon leading the cast, along with a wider release than the original, the sequel is expected to see a double-digit opening day. If the film receives positive word-of-mouth, it has the potential to reach the 150 Crore mark worldwide. To secure a spot in the top 10 list of romantic comedies since 2012, its first major goal will be to overtake the 109 Crore gross of Pati Patni Aur Woh. You can find the current rankings and where the original film stands in the list below. Top 10 Highest Grossing Rom-Coms Since 2012 (Worldwide)MOVIE NAMEWORLDWIDE GROSSYeh Jawaani Hai Deewani₹ 318.00 CrTanu Weds Manu Returns₹ 258.00 CrTu Jhoothi Main Makkaar₹ 223.00 Cr2 States₹ 173.10 CrTeri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya₹ 139.00 CrLuka Chuppi₹ 128.00 CrCocktail (2012)₹ 121.78 CrHumpty Sharma Ki Dulhania₹ 119.60 CrZara Hatke Zara Bachke₹ 116.00 CrPati Patni Aur Woh₹ 109.00 Cr

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, May 26 - The mega blockbuster success of Aditya Dhar's spy thriller franchise Dhurandhar and its sequel Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge has changed how audiences may view Indian spy cinema going forward. Starring Ranveer Singh, the film follows his character Jaskirat Singh Rangi, a deep-cover Indian agent living a dangerous double life inside enemy territory. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Ever since Dhurandhar films have been released, the franchise's gritty story has sparked an intense debate among moviegoers. R. Madhvan, who has played a major role in the two-part film series, famously said during the trailer launch event of the first film last year that Dhurandhar will vanish the spy genre in Indian cinema. This has sparked a debate as many compare Dhurandhar's style to the famous Yash Raj Films Spy Universe, which includes hits like Pathaan, Tiger, and War. While YRF films have proven their box office dominance over the year, Dhurandhar's success might have put the studio under pressure regarding its future films. Here are five points which makes 3000+ crore blockbuster to YRF Spy movies. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Realism vs. Fantasy While both franchises centred around terrorism, the YRF Spy Universe functions as a larger-than-life, masala entertainer, and popcorn-friendly world where you leave your brain at home. On the other hand, Dhurandhar is highly grounded, which explores actual intelligence tactics, politics, and historical underpinnings, starring from 1999 Kandahar hijacking to the Karachi underworld. Grit over Glamour YRF movies are famous for flashy international locations, stylish outfits, and massive dance numbers. Dhurandhar features heavy hyper-violence, profanity, and a dark, moody visual style. It completely skips typical Bollywood song-and-dance tropes to keep the tension alive while using iconic songs as background music in sync with scenes. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Character Portrayal In the YRF universe, spies act like unstoppable superheroes who can dodge bullets effortlessly and jump from one plane to another. In Dhurandhar, Ranveer Singh's character (Jaskirat Singh Rangi) is quiet, lethal, and deeply vulnerable. The movie showcases the immense emotional and mental toll of deep-cover spy craft rather than treating it like a fun adventure. Geopolitical Stakes YRF films often take a softer, completely fictionalised stance on international conflicts to appeal to a global audience. Dhurandhar does not try to please both sides. It presents an unvarnished, sharp-edged depiction of real-life rivalries and national security struggles while giving proper importance to each character without caring about the runtime.

BY CHRISTA LINCY

Tamil Nadu's theatrical landscape just witnessed a major policy shift that is being hailed as a life-saving move for the film industry. Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay, known to his fans as Thalapathy, has officially issued a government order (GO) permitting all cinema halls across the state to screen five shows daily. This landmark decision marks a significant departure from the decades-old regulations that limited daily screenings to four shows. What has changed with the new order? The directive, issued on May 25, 2026, officially amends the Tamil Nadu Cinema Theatres (Regulation) Rules, 1957. Under the previous rules, specifically Condition 14-A, theaters were restricted to four shows a day. A fifth special show was only allowed on specific festive occasions and required separate approval from District Collectors or, in the case of Chennai, the Commissioner of Police. With this new amendment, all newly released films are now permitted to have five daily shows for the first seven days of their release. Most importantly, the government has removed the requirement for theater owners to obtain separate special permission or wait for a specific G.O. to be issued for these shows. This flexibility also extends to all weekends, public holidays, and local festival days throughout the year. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) A Direct Result of Industry Outreach This pro-cinema move follows a key meeting on May 16, 2026, where industry representatives met CM Vijay to present a charter of demands aimed at reviving the theatrical business. Just days later, industry veteran Kamal Haasan also met the Chief Minister, presenting a memorandum that highlighted the need for more daily screenings and a government-backed anti-piracy wing. By fast-tracking this specific demand, the CM has sent a clear signal that his administration is committed to the growth of Kollywood. Industry stakeholders have been quick to welcome the news. Exhibitors have noted that this change will help curb the demand that often leads to unauthorized early morning shows and will significantly boost the opening-week collections of big-ticket films. For theater owners, who have been battling the rapid shift toward OTT platforms, the ability to run an extra show without administrative hurdles provides much-needed operational relief. Analytical trends suggest that for a standard multiplex or single screen, adding a fifth show can increase daily revenue capacity by nearly 20 to 25 percent during peak demand periods. This move is expected to have a cascading effect on the box office records of upcoming releases, as the increased show count naturally expands the ceiling for Day 1 and opening weekend numbers. As Tamil cinema enters this more flexible era of exhibition, the focus now shifts to how the industry will utilize this extra capacity to battle piracy and bring audiences back to the big screen.

BY CHRISTA LINCY

As Krishnavataram Part 1: The Heart moves through its nineteenth day, the daily collections are starting to level off. The film earned around 0.75 Crore net on its third Monday across 1,587 shows, marking around 63 per cent drop from the 2.05 Crore it collected on Sunday. While this decline is standard for a weekday, it brings the total India net collection to 29.82 Crore and the gross to 35.18 Crore. When we look at the financial health of the project, the situation is quite challenging. With a reported production cost of 60 Crore, the movie is currently underperforming and struggling to reach even the halfway mark for cost recovery. However, in a year that has seen mixed results for many Hindi releases, Krishnavataram Part 1: The Heart still manages to secure a spot in the top 10 highest-grossing Hindi films of 2026 so far, currently sitting at rank number 9 in terms of total gross volume. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) While the film is still working toward recovering its production costs, its current collection volume places it among the highest-grossing Hindi releases of the year so far. It currently stands as the ninth highest-grossing Hindi film of 2026. Here is how the top ten list looks so far: Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge: ₹1,800+ Cr Border 2: ₹450.19 Cr Bhooth Bangla: ₹260.97 Cr(As of day 39) O Romeo: ₹110.81 Cr Mardaani 3: ₹76.27 Cr The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond: ₹62.39 Cr Pati Patni Aur Woh Do: ₹50.52 Cr(As of day 11) Ikkis: ₹41.65 Cr Krishnavataram Part 1: The Heart: ₹35.18 Cr(As of day 19) Chand Mera Dil: ₹18.02 Cr(As of day 4) Looking at the broader scale of the release, the film has completed a total of 34,359 shows across the country since its opening day. What stands out in the data is that the entire worldwide gross of 35+ Crore has been generated solely within the domestic market. This underlines the film's heavy reliance on the local audience as it continues its struggle toward a stable financial finish. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Breaking down the performance in the major national multiplex chains for the day, we see a very limited flow of revenue. Across PVR, INOX, and Cinepolis, the film collected about 7.1 Lakhs gross from roughly 3.2K tickets sold. Looking at individual chains, INOX led with 2.8 Lakhs, followed by PVR with 2.5 Lakhs, and Cinepolis with 1.8 Lakhs. The average occupancy across these specific venues stayed low at 2.38 per cent across 775 shows. Despite the slowing pace, the film still saw 22.64K tickets booked on BookMyShow this Monday, bringing the total ticket count across its entire run to approximately 765K. Geographically, Mumbai remains the most active region with 20.0 per cent occupancy for its 92 shows. Ahmedabad and the National Capital Region followed with 12.0 per cent and 11.8 per cent, respectively. Meanwhile, Surat saw much lower engagement with only 4.3 per cent occupancy. In terms of total language-wise contribution, the Hindi version is carrying the bulk of the weight with a net of 27.10 Crore. The Telugu and Tamil versions have added 2.30 Crore and 0.42 Crore, respectively, to the domestic total. As the film concludes its third week, the primary focus will be to see how much further it can push its totals before its eventual digital transition, as the theatrical window starts to narrow significantly.

BY CHRISTA LINCY

Raja Shivaji is currently moving through its fourth week, and the Monday numbers provide a clear picture of how the film is settling into its long-term run. The historical drama has already carved out a significant space at the box office, particularly in the Marathi-speaking regions, and it is now focused on reaching its next major cumulative milestones. The film collected a net of 0.45 Crore on Day 25 across 838 shows. This Day 25 performance represents a 65 per cent drop from the previous day’s net collection of 1.30 Crore. This is a very standard and expected trend for a working Monday after a fourth weekend. These latest figures bring the total India net collections to 92.45 Crore and the domestic gross to 109.38 Crore. In the international market, the film has an overseas gross of 4.22 Crore, which pushes the total worldwide gross collection to approx. 113.50 Crore so far. Looking at the ticket sales momentum, the film recorded approximately 15.51K bookings on BookMyShow this Monday. This brings the total ticket count on the platform to over 25.21 Lakhs across its 25-day theatrical run. Maintaining this level of ticket demand nearly a month into its release is a strong indicator of the film's consistent appeal, especially among family audiences. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) In the major national multiplex chains, Raja Shivaji saw a steady flow of audience. Between PVR, INOX, and Cinepolis, a total of approximately 2.2K tickets were sold, bringing in a gross of 3.9 Lakhs for the day. If we look at the chain-wise breakdown, INOX led the contribution with 2.1 Lakhs, followed by Cinepolis with 1.2 Lakhs, and PVR at 0.6 Lakhs. INOX recorded the highest occupancy among these chains at 9.38 percent across 80+ shows. The regional performance remains heavily driven by the Marathi version, which contributed 0.47 Crore to the day's net. The overall occupancy for Marathi screenings was 21.0 percent. Pune remains a major stronghold with 28.5 percent occupancy across 100 shows, with evening screenings peaking at 38.0 percent. Mumbai also showed healthy engagement with 21.8 percent occupancy for its 107 shows. On the other hand, the Hindi version added 0.07 Crore net with an overall occupancy of 8.0 percent across 272 shows. In cities like Ahmedabad and Surat, the occupancy hovered around 7.3 percent, while the National Capital Region (NCR) saw slightly higher engagement at 8.3 percent. Looking at the total language-wise split, the Marathi version has collected 67.75 Crore net while the Hindi version stands at 24.70 Crore. This two-language release approach helped the film comfortably pass the 100 Crore worldwide gross mark. As the film completes its fourth week, the steady occupancy in its primary markets indicates it will keep adding to its total before the next set of theatrical releases arrive.