With Dhurandhar: The Revenge crossing the ₹1,000 crore mark at the domestic box office—becoming the first Hindi film to do so—industry watchers believe India’s theatrical potential could stretch to ₹1,200–1,500 crore for the right film.
But unlocking that ceiling is far from easy.
Films remain constrained by limited and uneven screen penetration across smaller towns, high ticket pricing that curbs footfalls, and intense competition that shortens exclusive theatrical runs. Add to that the shortage of consistently mass-appealing commercial entertainers, and record-breaking numbers become rare events rather than the norm.
Screen bottleneck
“The success of the Dhurandhar franchise clearly highlights the headroom in India’s theatrical market and demonstrates how scale-driven content can unlock exceptional outcomes,” said said Bhuvanesh Mendiratta, managing director, Miraj Entertainment Ltd.
The opportunity is significant, but structural challenges persist.
Screen penetration remains the biggest constraint. Expansion is slowed by high real estate costs and regulatory complexities—particularly in tier-two and tier-three markets where demand already exists. India’s screen density—around seven to eight screens per million—remains significantly below global benchmarks, underlining the growth potential.
Pricing paradox
While Dhurandhar 2 commanded an average ticket price (ATP) higher than most films, trade experts caution against viewing it as a template.
Affordability remains critical for sustained consumption. Footfalls have seen a steady decline in recent years, partly due to steep ticket prices and a proliferation of alternative entertainment options. Improving admissions, rather than pushing premium pricing, may be the more sustainable path.
Overall, many believe that with better screen access and the right content mix, ₹1,000 crore-plus domestic grossers can become more consistent, with room to scale further.
“The success of Dhurandhar and before that, Pushpa 2, proves Rs. 1,200-1,500 crore is possible at the Indian box office. But it has to be the perfect storm where the film not only manages an undisputed run without competition for a significant period of time but ticket rates are also hiked in a way that it works at least in urban centres,” Rahul Puri, managing director of Mukta Arts and Mukta A2 Cinemas said.
Infrastructure alone won’t solve the equation.
Improving theatrical infrastructure requires content that fully utilises its scale, film distributor and exhibitor Akshaye Rathi pointed out—films that speak across metros and smaller towns alike, a storytelling balance that is becoming harder to achieve.
Audience depth
Despite constraints around pricing and screens, sustained footfalls suggest strong underlying demand for compelling theatrical experiences.
“At a time when content consumption is increasingly fragmented, the theatrical experience continues to stand out as the most definitive and immersive way to engage with storytelling. Audiences today are more discerning than ever, but when a film delivers on scale, vision and craft, their response is unequivocal,” said Ashish Saksena, chief operating officer – cinemas, BookMyShow.
Dhurandhar 2 drove strong footfalls not just in metros such as Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Delhi-NCR and Chennai, but also in emerging centres including Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Coimbatore, Vishakhapatnam and Chandigarh—underscoring nationwide appeal.
“These trends underscore a clear reality that cinema continues to be deeply valued, with theatres remaining central to how audiences choose to experience stories that are designed for scale, spectacle and shared moments,” Saksena added.