The much-anticipated Eid 2026 box office battle has just seen its first major casualty—or rather, a strategic retreat. Superstar Ajay Devgn and his production team have opted to **postpone the release of the comedy sequel, Dhamaal 4, shifting it from the lucrative March 19, 2026, Eid slot to a new date in May 2026.
This “big-hearted move,” as industry sources describe it, vacates the congested festive weekend, which had turned into a massive three-way clash between Dhamaal 4, Ranveer Singh’s newly announced spy thriller Dhurandhar 2, and Yash’s pan-India magnum opus, Toxic. Sources confirm that the decision was driven by the overwhelming success of the first Dhurandhar film and a pragmatic desire to avoid a chaotic box office split.
Dhamaal 4, the fourth installment of the beloved comedy franchise directed by Indra Kumar, had initially staked its claim on the Eid 2026 holiday, a date historically reserved for massive releases. However, the unexpected, rapid announcement of Dhurandhar 2 (set for release just three months after the first part) and the confirmed arrival of Yash’s Toxic on the same day drastically altered the commercial landscape.
Industry insiders confirm that the unprecedented success of Ranveer Singh’s spy film, Dhurandhar (which opened to massive numbers on December 5, 2025), played a decisive role in Devgn’s decision.
“After several rounds of discussions, and following the historic success of Dhurandhar, Ajay Devgn is not willing to take the risk of clashing with the sequel of this Aditya Dhar film,” an insider revealed. “He and his team are now looking to release the film in the month of May 2026.”
The sentiment within Devgn’s camp is reportedly that the subject matter of Dhurandhar—an intense, political action franchise—merits a clear box office run and should not be countered by a comic caper, even a popular one like Dhamaal.
Ajay Devgn’s team reportedly viewed the move not as a setback, but as a strategic and considerate decision for the overall health of the industry. The actor is known for his practical approach to box office scheduling.
The source added:
“Ajay Devgn has always been a kind who stands for the industry, and he is well aware of the fact that Dhurandhar 2 could redefine the film business for Bollywood. He feels Dhurandhar is an important franchise that deserves a clear run.”
By stepping away, Devgn ensures that the Eid weekend, one of the biggest holiday slots of the year, is now dominated by two massive action spectacles—Dhurandhar 2 (Ranveer Singh) and Toxic (Yash)—allowing both films to maximize their potential. This clears the way for a spectacular action face-off that will set the tone for the 2026 calendar.
The decision to shift Dhamaal 4 to May 2026 places the multi-starrer comedy in a much more favourable commercial slot. The summer month typically draws strong family footfall and appeals to the target audience of the Dhamaal franchise, which relies heavily on slapstick humour and ensemble performances.
The new date provides the film, which features the returning comedic talents of Riteish Deshmukh, Arshad Warsi, Jaaved Jaaferi, and Sanjay Mishra alongside Devgn, a clear runway to success without the immediate threat of two gigantic action franchises cannibalizing its opening weekend.
The change in the release calendar confirms that the tremendous box office performance of Ranveer Singh’s Aditya Dhar directorial has become a powerful determining factor in Bollywood’s scheduling strategy, forcing major players to adjust their plans to accommodate the new blockbuster franchise.
