Dhurandhar 2 vs Toxic Box Office Clash: Yash’s Film Set to Secure Nearly Double the Screens in Kerala

The March 19 theatrical battle in Kerala is shaping up to be one of the fiercest box office showdowns of the year. Three major titles are scheduled to arrive on the same day, but early trade indications suggest that the advantage in screen allocation is clearly tilted toward the regional heavyweights.

According to industry reports, Toxic: A Fairytale for Grown-Ups and the Malayalam sequel Aadu 3 are leading the race in terms of screen count across the state. Meanwhile, Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge appears to be at a relative disadvantage in Kerala’s competitive market.

Screen Allocation Favors Toxic and Aadu 3

Trade buzz indicates that Toxic, headlined by Yash, is expected to release in over 300 screens in Kerala. The actor’s popularity, especially following the massive success of the K.G.F: Chapter 2 franchise, has significantly boosted distributor confidence in the region.

Similarly, Aadu 3 is also projected to secure more than 300 screens. Being a well-established Malayalam franchise with strong local recall, it naturally commands priority in its home territory. The combination of franchise loyalty and regional connect is likely to translate into prime show allocations in both multiplexes and single-screen theatres.

In comparison, Dhurandhar 2 is reportedly expected to open in approximately 150 screens across Kerala — nearly half the screen presence of its primary competitors.

Regional Dynamics at Play

Kerala’s box office traditionally leans in favor of local content and South Indian stars. This pattern often impacts the screen distribution for Hindi-language releases, regardless of their scale or nationwide appeal. Toxic’s aggressive rollout reflects the faith distributors have in Yash’s drawing power, while Aadu 3 benefits from being a homegrown production with a dedicated audience base.

Challenge for Dhurandhar 2

For Dhurandhar 2, the comparatively limited screen count may restrict its opening weekend visibility in the state. Despite its pan-India positioning and large-scale production, the film will likely rely heavily on strong word of mouth and spillover demand from other regions to sustain its run in Kerala.

With three distinct audience segments being targeted — a pan-India action spectacle, a major Kannada star vehicle, and a beloved Malayalam sequel — the March 19 clash will serve as an interesting example of how star power, regional preferences, and screen economics influence box office outcomes in a market as competitive as Kerala.