Mumbai: Ajay Devgn has quietly taken a big call for the good of the trade. Sources say the actor and his team have decided to move the release of their comic caper Dhamaal 4 away from the Eid 2026 window and are now planning for a May 2026 release. The decision comes after Ranveer Singh’s runaway hit Dhurandhar confirmed a March 19, 2026 release date for its second part, and Yash’s highly anticipated Toxic is also scheduled for the same Eid weekend.
Why Ajay Devgn stepped aside: a practical, industry friendly move
In an exclusive report, Ajay Devgn and his crew talked about the already packed holiday schedule and decided not to take a chance on a three way box office battle. According to insiders, Ajay is not being ego driven but rather a feeling of responsibility in the industry. He is supposed to have thought that the Dhurandhar franchise with its tone and coverage is entitled to an unbroken run at Eid and did not want to oppose a light hearted comic caper with a heavy action movie that appeals to the masses. A source told that Ajay was uncomfortable taking the risk of clashing with the sequel after seeing the first film’s success.
The clash that sparked the rethink
Dhurandhar became a major talking point after its theatrical release and the makers confirmed that part 2 will arrive on March 19, 2026, which falls on Eid next year. At the same time, Yash’s Toxic has begun a public countdown to the same date, making the holiday weekend a potential three-way fight between two big action films and a comic entertainer. Industry watchers warned that such a clash could split audiences and hurt business for all three films, especially for titles that need a clear opening to build strong word of mouth.
What the move means for Dhamaal 4 and box office strategy
Shifting Dhamaal 4 to May 2026 gives Ajay Devgn’s comedy more breathing room. May is traditionally a strong month for family and holiday audiences in India and allows the film to position itself without directly competing with two heavy hitters on the same weekend. For Dhamaal 4, which relies on ensemble comedy beats and opening week momentum, a clear release window could mean better collections and more screens. The change also keeps relationships smooth between studios and talents in an industry that often prefers practical solutions to head-to-head warfare.
The larger picture: franchises, OTT money and market dynamics
Dhurandhar’s first part has not only been a theatrical success but also attracted big streaming interest, making its sequel a commercially important project for its backers. That kind of franchise momentum can influence other producers to reshuffle dates so the market is not fractured. Meanwhile, Yash’s Toxic continues to build buzz with posters and countdowns, so the Eid weekend was already shaping up to be fiercely competitive. In short, all three films have strong reasons to target Eid, but Ajay Devgn chose to avoid a direct three way battle.
Industry reaction and what fans should watch for next
Observers have praised Ajay’s move as sensible and considerate. When big films crowd one date the result can be smaller opening windows and confused audience turnout. By giving Dhurandhar 2 and Toxic the Eid space and moving Dhamaal 4 to May, Ajay Devgn has allowed each film a better chance to reach its core audience. Fans should watch for an official confirmation of Dhamaal 4’s new date from Ajay Devgn’s camp, and for further announcements from the other productions as studios fine tune their calendars.
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