Imagine paying for a movie ticket — when the same film is already waiting for you, free, on Netflix. Sounds unlikely? Thousands of Indians are doing exactly that. And they’re doing it for a film that released 86 days ago.
Dhurandhar isn’t just running in theatres — it’s thriving in them. ₹1050 crores collected. Netflix live since January 30th. And still, the shows are filling up.
Meanwhile, a Hollywood blockbuster with mixed reviews is somehow heading toward its 75th day on Indian screens — surviving 350+ new releases, regional giants, and an audience that usually moves on in two weeks flat.
Something unusual is happening inside Indian cinemas right now. Two films that should have quietly disappeared are instead writing box office history in real time. One is a bold, Adult-rated spy thriller that broke every rule. The other is James Cameron doing what only James Cameron can.
So what exactly is keeping audiences off their couches and back in those seats? The answer is more interesting than you’d expect.
Key Highlights
- Dhurandhar has crossed ₹1050 crore gross in India and is still running in 90+ shows daily
- The film began streaming on Netflix from January 30, 2026, yet continues to draw cinema audiences
- Avatar: Fire and Ash has collected ₹236 crore+ in India and is nearing the 75-day mark
- Dhurandhar is one of the biggest Adult-rated (A-certificate) films in Indian box office history
- Both films are surviving heavy competition from new weekly releases
Dhurandhar: When Netflix Couldn’t Kill the Theatre Run
Most Bollywood films are lucky to see three solid weekends. Dhurandhar is on its twelfth week.
Aditya Dhar’s spy thriller has become something rare in Indian cinema — a film that audiences are choosing to revisit in theatres even when it’s sitting right there on their Netflix homepage. As of Day 86, the film is still running in over 90 shows nationally, with single-day collections targeting ₹10 lakh and above.
What makes this particularly remarkable is the film’s Adult (A) certificate. Historically, an 18+ rating in India has been seen as a commercial disadvantage — it restricts family audiences and school groups. Dhurandhar has shattered that ceiling entirely, becoming one of the most successful A-rated films the country has ever produced.
The Ranveer Singh and Akshaye Khanna pairing has clearly struck a chord. Audiences aren’t just watching it; they’re talking about it, recommending it, and apparently going back for second viewings.
Avatar: Fire and Ash — Cameron’s Pandora Still Has Pull
James Cameron has never made a film that India treated casually, and Avatar: Fire and Ash is no exception.
Now 72 days into its theatrical run, the third Avatar film is playing in 42+ shows daily and is pushing toward the 75-day milestone — all this despite what most critics would describe as an “average” response. In any other scenario, mixed reviews and stiff regional competition would have pushed a Hollywood film to OTT within a month.
But Cameron’s brand operates differently. Avatar: Fire and Ash has become what the industry calls a “visual event” — the kind of film where watching it on your television, however large, simply feels like settling for less. Audiences are returning for the IMAX experience, the 4D immersion, and the sheer scale of Pandora that no home screen can replicate.
The film’s India gross stands at ₹236 crore and counting — a respectable number made even more impressive by the headwinds it faced throughout its run
What’s Really Driving This Theatrical Longevity?
Looking at current trends, the survival of both films tells a consistent story: Indian audiences have become highly selective about what they watch in cinemas, but when they commit, they really commit.
The mid-budget, average-content film is increasingly finding its natural home on OTT platforms. That’s not a crisis — that’s a correction. What’s left in theatres is either emotionally unmissable or visually irreplaceable. Dhurandhar fits the first category; Avatar: Fire and Ash fits the second.
There’s also a social element at play. Both films have generated strong word-of-mouth that has outlasted their opening weeks. In the age of social media, a film that keeps people talking becomes a self-sustaining cultural event. Friends recommending these films to friends is doing the marketing work that even large studios struggle to buy.
The “OTT Doesn’t Kill Cinema” Argument, Settled?
From an audience perspective, the Dhurandhar case is particularly fascinating. Here is a film, freely available on one of the world’s most popular streaming platforms, that still has people buying ₹200–₹500 tickets to watch it in a theatre. That says everything about the power of the cinematic experience when the film genuinely demands it.
This doesn’t mean every film will follow this path. Most won’t. But it does confirm that the theatrical window isn’t dying — it’s simply becoming more premium, more intentional, and more experience-driven.
What Comes Next?
Both films are now playing out their final theatrical chapters. Dhurandhar will likely wrap up its historic run within the next two to three weeks, cementing its place among the all-time greats of Indian cinema. Avatar: Fire and Ash will continue drawing premium-format audiences until the next big Hollywood release pushes it out of IMAX slots.
For the Indian film industry, these two films aren’t just box office stories — they’re a blueprint. Make something that truly deserves the big screen, and the audience will find a way to the theatre, Netflix or not.
Box office data sourced from trade reports as of late February 2026. Collections subject to final audit.
