SRK and Ajay face a new test
The unpredictable nature of the box office has raised a lot of questions about the fate of upcoming big projects. While a few of them have generated strong hype, concerns remain about whether they will attract audiences in the same manner when they arrive on the big screen.
The biggest change since 2025 has been the declining impact of star power. The three major blockbusters, including Dhurandhar, Chhaava and Saiyaara, did not depend on established superstars to drive their success. The trend continued in 2026 with Dhurandhar: The Revenge, Hanuman Ansh and Mirzapur: The Movie.
Though Dhurandhar starred Ranveer Singh, his stardom had declined significantly before the film. Disasters like 83, Cirkus and Jayeshbhai Jordaar dented his stardom, while even Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani underperformed. So, Dhurandhar can also be considered a film that did not rely on conventional star power.
The question trade experts and audiences are asking now is whether superstars will rule the box office again. Back in 2025, Salman Khan’s Sikandar and Aamir Khan’s Sitaare Zameen Par failed to make the expected impact at the box office.
Among the upcoming lineup, two major releases are Drishyam 3 and King. Both feature big superstars, Ajay Devgn and Shah Rukh Khan.
Despite backlash over the franchise being extended further, Drishyam has a major advantage. It is a franchise that viewers are naturally attracted to because of its suspense element. People are waiting to see how Vijay Salgaonkar will save his family this time. That alone should give the film a big opening.
However, its success will depend on whether it can be more entertaining than the Malayalam version featuring Mohanlal. The biggest strength of Drishyam 3 will have to be a new screenplay that connects strongly with the masses in North India.
On the other hand, there are huge expectations from King. But the choice of release date has left audiences worried. The Christmas period has also turned out to be difficult for Bollywood in the post-pandemic era.
Trade experts and fans are frequently requesting SRK to shift the release date to 2027. Another major concern is Avengers: Doomsday, which is releasing six days before King. MCU films already have a massive fan base, and considering the scale and budget of King, it will need multiple shows and very strong word-of-mouth to survive at the box office. A release just a few days after Doomsday could make that extremely difficult.
The rule of the superstars at the box office could return. But this time, it will involve a lot of risks. The main question is whether the superstars are willing to take those risks and prove that their star power still has the same pull. Let’s wait and see.
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