— The highly-anticipated next installment in the Yash Raj Films (YRF) Spy Universe, ‘Alpha,’ starring Alia Bhatt and Sharvari, has officially been postponed. The film, which was set to anchor the lucrative Christmas 2025 box office, will now hit theatres on April 17, 2026. Sources confirm that the primary reason for the schedule shift is the heavy demand for complex VFX and extensive post-production work, which requires additional time to meet the high standards of the franchise.
The postponement has instantly reshaped the holiday box office calendar, with the Christmas Day slot now snapped up by the Kartik Aaryan and Ananya Panday starrer, Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri.
YRF’s decision to move Alpha out of the December 25th slot highlights the studio’s unwavering commitment to quality, particularly regarding the technical aspects of its tentpole action franchises. Alpha, a crucial film that introduces a new generation of female spies to the universe, features high-stakes action sequences and complex visual effects necessary to match the scale established by hits like Tiger 3 and Pathaan.
“The vision for Alpha is immense. It’s a film that redefines action and needs every frame to be perfect,” stated a source close to the production. “Given the volume of intricate VFX, the team realized they needed more than the scheduled time to deliver a product worthy of the Spy Universe’s reputation. Rushing the post-production was never an option.”
The new release date, April 17, 2026, strategically positions the film to dominate the summer vacation period, which typically sees high foot traffic in cinemas globally.
The immediate effect of Alpha’s postponement was the sudden availability of the premium Christmas Day window. The slot was quickly secured by the romantic comedy ‘Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri’ (TMMTMTMT), starring Kartik Aaryan and Ananya Panday.
This aggressive move by Dharma Productions created an instant box office clash for the Christmas holiday between the romantic comedy (TMMTMTMT) and Maddock Films‘ war epic, Ikkis, showcasing the industry’s hunger for prime holiday dates. While Alpha’s move avoids a massive three-way clash, it shifts the focus to a concentrated battle between the two remaining films.
Alpha remains one of the most anticipated films in the YRF Spy Universe, marking the debut of Alia Bhatt in a full-fledged action role. The film is set to expand the franchise by introducing a formidable female presence, with Bhatt and rising star Sharvari leading the narrative.
The plot is rumoured to explore the origins and training of these new agents, with potential crossover appearances from established characters like Shah Rukh Khan‘s Pathaan or Hrithik Roshan‘s Kabir. The success of Alpha is deemed crucial, as it sets the stage for future female-centric spin-offs and ensemble spy adventures.
Despite the delay, the new April release date allows the filmmakers to perfect the film’s visual spectacle, ensuring that the introduction of Alia Bhatt and Sharvari to the high-octane world of international espionage meets the gargantuan expectations of the franchise’s global audience. The delay is viewed as a necessary commitment to technical excellence, promising that Alpha will be worth the wait.
