13 January 2026: The box office race between two of the year’s biggest films — Prabhas starrer The Raja Saab and Ranveer Singh’s Dhurandhar — is entering a crucial phase. While both films have enjoyed impressive runs, the latest figures indicate shifting momentum. The Raja Saab witnessed a significant drop in collections on its fourth day (Monday), while Dhurandhar, now in its sixth week with 39 days at the box office, is beginning to slow after crossing the massive ₹800 crore milestone worldwide.
The contrasting trajectories highlight the unpredictable nature of theatrical performance, even for star-driven projects.
The Raja Saab Faces the Monday Test
After a strong opening weekend powered by Prabhas’ massive fan base and high pre-release buzz, The Raja Saab has encountered its first major hurdle: weekday sustainability. The film reportedly collected robust numbers on its first three days, with packed theatres in key markets such as Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and major metro cities.
However, Monday proved challenging. Collections saw a steep decline compared to Sunday, indicating that while initial excitement brought audiences to cinemas, long-term momentum will depend heavily on word-of-mouth.
Trade analysts note that such drops are not uncommon for big-budget commercial entertainers, especially those that rely heavily on opening-day fandom. The true test begins from the first working day, when footfalls are driven more by content appreciation than hype.
Audience Response Driving the Trend
Viewers’ reactions to The Raja Saab appear mixed. While fans have praised Prabhas’ screen presence, action sequences, and production scale, some sections of the audience have expressed concerns about pacing and storyline execution.
This mixed reception seems to be influencing repeat viewership, which is crucial for sustaining collections beyond the opening weekend. Multiplex audiences, in particular, tend to be more content-sensitive, and their turnout often plays a key role in determining weekday box office stability.
Despite the drop, the film still holds strong potential. Upcoming weekends, regional holidays, and targeted promotions could help revive momentum if positive word-of-mouth strengthens.
Dhurandhar Enters the Saturation Phase
On the other hand, Dhurandhar has already proven its box office strength. With 39 days in theatres and a worldwide collection exceeding ₹800 crore, Ranveer Singh’s action drama has established itself as one of the biggest commercial successes of recent times.
The film enjoyed an extraordinary run in its first few weeks, driven by strong storytelling, high-octane performances, and wide audience appeal. It performed consistently across urban and mass belts, creating rare crossover success.
However, as with most long-running films, the pace of collections has now begun to slow. Theatres are seeing reduced footfalls as audiences who wanted to watch the film have largely already done so, and new releases are beginning to claim screen space.
Trade experts describe this phase as “natural consolidation” rather than decline. After such a long and successful run, a slowdown is expected and does little to diminish the film’s achievement.
Comparing Two Different Box Office Journeys
Although both films feature major stars and massive budgets, their box office journeys reflect two different dynamics.
Dhurandhar benefited from sustained audience engagement, positive reviews, and strong emotional connection with viewers. Its success grew organically over weeks, driven by repeat audiences and long-term appreciation.
The Raja Saab, in contrast, is currently in its early phase, where initial collections are heavily influenced by fan-driven enthusiasm. Its future trajectory will depend on how well it converts that initial interest into broader audience acceptance.
Industry insiders emphasize that early drops do not necessarily signal failure. Several films have witnessed weekday declines only to recover strongly through positive word-of-mouth and strategic promotions.
The Role of Star Power
Both Prabhas and Ranveer Singh command immense popularity, but their fan bases function differently at the box office.
Prabhas enjoys a pan-India fan following that guarantees huge openings, especially in the South Indian states. His films often open to record-breaking numbers, but sustainability depends on content resonance.
Ranveer Singh, on the other hand, has built a reputation for versatility and strong performances. His box office success tends to be driven not only by fandom but also by audience trust in his acting choices. This helps films like Dhurandhar maintain momentum over extended periods.
Theatre Owners Watching Closely
Cinema exhibitors are closely tracking the performance of both films. For theatre owners, weekday occupancy and long-term sustainability matter more than opening-day numbers.
Multiplex chains are reportedly adjusting show timings for The Raja Saab based on weekday turnout, while Dhurandhar continues to hold screens due to its steady, if slower, performance.
With more new releases lined up in the coming weeks, competition for screens is expected to intensify, putting additional pressure on both films to maintain audience interest.
The Bigger Picture for the Industry
The contrasting performance of these two big films also reflects a broader trend in the film industry: audiences are increasingly prioritizing content over hype.
Big stars can still guarantee attention and strong openings, but long-term success now depends more on storytelling, emotional engagement, and overall cinematic experience.
This shift is encouraging for filmmakers who focus on quality narratives, as it signals that strong content can still create massive box office records, as demonstrated by Dhurandhar.
Conclusion
While The Raja Saab has experienced a noticeable dip on its fourth day, its journey is far from over. The coming days, especially the next weekend, will be critical in determining whether it can stabilize and build long-term momentum.
Meanwhile, Dhurandhar continues to enjoy the glory of a historic run, even as collections naturally begin to slow after crossing the ₹800 crore mark. Together, the two films showcase the evolving dynamics of the modern box office — where opening hype and sustained appreciation play equally important roles.
Summary
The Raja Saab saw a sharp drop in collections on Day 4, while Dhurandhar’s box office pace slowed after crossing ₹800 crore. Both films now face critical phases in their theatrical runs.