What are paid previews and how can they boost Dhurandhar 2’s box office game? | EXCLUSIVE

Dhurandhar 2 paid reviews: The buzz around Dhurandhar: The Revenge is steadily building. The action-packed sequel is finally gearing up for its global theatrical release on March 19. Starring Ranveer Singh in the lead and directed by Aditya Dhar, the film has already sparked intense curiosity among moviegoers.

The makers have also opened advance bookings for special paid preview shows scheduled for the evening of March 18. Notably, this strategy is increasingly used by big-ticket films to generate early box office momentum.

What are paid previews and why do they matter?

Paid previews refer to early screenings held a day before a film’s official release, where audiences can purchase tickets and watch the movie ahead of the general public. Unlike traditional industry previews meant only for trade insiders, these screenings are open to regular moviegoers willing to pay for early access.

In the case of Dhurandhar: The Revenge, paid preview shows will begin around 4–5 PM on March 18 and run until midnight across several cinema halls in India. Demand appears strong, with tickets selling quickly despite premium pricing.

Multiplex chains in major metropolitan cities have reportedly priced tickets between Rs 600 and Rs 900, while IMAX screenings range from Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,000. At the premium drive-in venue Jio World Drive‑In in Bandra, ticket prices are said to reach Rs 2,500 for select seating options.

Industry experts explain the strategy

Producer and film business expert Girish Johar believes paid previews are usually organised when producers feel confident about their product and expect strong audience excitement. Speaking about the strategy, he said, “Paid previews are generally done by the makers when they are supremely confident about the product. They believe there is extreme excitement among viewers, especially those who cannot wait to watch the film.”

He added that early screenings can help build strong word-of-mouth and boost publicity for the film. “When makers are confident about the content, they know the early viewers will spread positive word of mouth about the film,” he explained.

Girish also noted that limited paid preview shows can generate substantial revenue even before the official release. “If those shows go housefull, with higher ticket prices and strong demand, the film could generate around Rs 8–10 crore at the box office, which would be a very strong and healthy sign.”

A trend inspired by Hollywood

According to distributor Raj Bansal, the concept originally gained popularity in Hollywood before gradually reaching India. He explained, “Paid previews actually originated in Hollywood. They were not very popular in India earlier, but they were quite common in Hollywood.”

He also pointed out that only large-scale films usually benefit from such early screenings. “Only big, popular films usually manage to generate strong numbers through paid previews,” he said.

However, he cautioned that the strategy carries certain risks. If initial reactions are negative, early word-of-mouth can damage the film’s opening performance. “One of the reasons is that paid previews can sometimes lead to negativity. If the early response to a film is negative, it spreads quickly and can affect the film’s opening day collections.”

Dhurandhar 2 box office prediction

Trade analyst Girish Wankhede noted, “Advance bookings have already crossed lakhs of tickets, with estimates suggesting Rs 25 crore or more from previews alone on day one. As a solo major release, it positions the film for a blockbuster opening around Rs 100 crore nett on Thursday, with a long weekend, possibly boosted by festivals like Gudi Padwa and Eid, potentially pushing the first weekend beyond Rs 250 crore. This ambitious preview strategy not only amplifies hype but could set new benchmarks for how Indian blockbusters monetise fan fervour before the official release.”

More about Dhurandhar: The Revenge

Featuring an ensemble cast including Sanjay Dutt, R. Madhavan, Akshaye Khanna, Arjun Rampal and Sara Arjun, Dhurandhar: The Revenge will release in multiple languages, including Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada and Malayalam.

The film faces strong competition at the box office from Ustaad Bhagat Singh, starring Pawan Kalyan. Still, the paid previews are generating early buzz and high ticket demand.

(With inputs from Bharti K Dubey.)