One of the most awaited films in the history of Indian cinema, ‘Son of Sardaar 2,’ is going for its worldwide release on August 1, and there are reports of the film fighting hard for its due share of screens all over the country. Although it boasts a star cast of its own, the film is facing challenges in getting enough screen time, particularly in single-theater houses and non-national multiplex chains.
This unexpected obstacle comes right after two other recent releases: “Saiyaara,” a romantic thriller directed by Mohit Suri, and “Mahavatar Narsimha,” a mythological animated epic whose box office success is still very much alive and clinging to their screens with all their might.
Distributor Griefs: Screen Crunch
According to reports, the distributors of “Son of Sardaar 2” are vying for an astounding 60% of the available screen real estate. Yet, the exhibitors, encouraged by the steady going of the present hits, are not willing to give more than 35%. This difference has generated a palpable tension, with reports indicating a war of words, particularly with big multiplex chains like PVRInox.
While a few single screens have unwillingly agreed to only two shows a day for Devgn’s movie, non-national chains are refusing to budge at 35%. This scenario could drastically affect ‘Son of Sardaar 2’s’ initial numbers, possibly curbing its release from a projected 3,500 screens to about 2,500.
Box Office Dominance: Saiyaara & Mahavatar Narsimha
Because of the excessive success of the song ‘Saiyaara’ alongside ‘Mahavatar Narsimha’, there is real pressure on the screen space. ‘Saiyaara’, featuring freshers Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda, has turned out to be a dark horse, going against predictions to be a huge romantic blockbuster. As of July 30, 2025, ‘Saiyaara’ is said to have grossed an approximate ₹266 crore in India net collections in 12 days, with impressive weekday holds and positive word-of-mouth. It is set to reach the ₹300 crore mark soon, a feat that few films with debutant heroes achieve.
Adding this animated tale of mythological origin, Mahavatar Narsimha, which premiered on July 25, 2025, also found its niche market, earning an estimated nett of ₹21.95 crore in its opening four days. Its good opening weekend and first week, particularly, have made exhibitors hold on to its show schedules, further pushing the space for new films into a tighter corner. The on-going audience support for these movies implies theatre owners are reluctant to reduce their profitable runs for an untested new entry, even a star-studded one featuring Ajay Devgn.
Also Read: Why Did Sonakshi Sinha’s Brother Blame Saiyaara For Nikita Roy’s Box Office Failure?
A recent media graduate, Bhumi Vashisht is currently making a significant contribution as a committed content writer. She brings new ideas to the media sector and is an expert at creating strategic content and captivating tales, having working in the field from past four months.
