Ajay Devgn’s comedy sequel Son of Sardaar 2, initially slated for release on July 25, 2025, has been pushed back to August 1 in hopes of securing more theatrical screens. However, the delay may not be enough to turn the tide.

The unexpected breakout success of Mohit Suri’s Saiyaara—a romantic drama featuring newcomers Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda—has disrupted the box office landscape. Since its release on July 18, the film has grossed an impressive ₹266 crore in just 12 days, becoming the highest-earning Hindi film led by debutants.

This strong performance has forced other films, including Son of Sardaar 2, to recalibrate their release strategies. Despite the date shift, Devgn’s film is still struggling to secure enough shows, especially in single-screen cinemas and smaller multiplex chains. Distributor PVRINOX had aimed to claim 60% of total Indian screens for the film, but reports suggest it may only receive around 35%.

According to Pinkvilla, PVRINOX is lobbying for at least four daily shows at single screens. But many theatres are choosing to stick with Saiyaara and another surprise hit—Mahavatar Narsimha, an animated mythological feature from Hombale Films, the studio behind KGF and Kantara. Mahavatar Narsimha has pulled in ₹29.26 crore within its first five days and continues to perform strongly.

To complicate matters further, Shazia Iqbal’s Dhadak 2—a reimagining of the 2018 hit Dhadak starring Siddhant Chaturvedi and Triptii Dimri—is also scheduled to release on August 1. Dharma Productions is taking a modest approach by opening the film on just 1,000 screens, with the potential to expand if it receives positive word of mouth.

Both Son of Sardaar 2 and Dhadak 2 are offering 50% ticket discounts through select promo codes to draw audiences, but with Saiyaara still dominating and Mahavatar Narsimha holding firm, the road ahead remains challenging for these new entrants.

Source: NDTV