Dussehra is turning into the busiest multiplex face-off of the year. Six films are competing for screens and attention in the same festive week, and five of them arrive on Friday after Rajinikanth’s Jailer 2 opened a day earlier.
Who is in the fray
- Jailer 2 — opened on Thursday with Rajinikanth back on the big screen.
- Nayyi Navelli — Yami Gautam Dhar’s fantasy drama.
- Prahaar — Rajkummar Rao’s courtroom drama.
- Ranabaali — Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna’s release.
- Street Fighter and Whalefall — the Hollywood films in the mix.
Dussehra falls on October 20 this year. The trade watches this date closely because it opens a long, relatively clean corridor before the next wave of big films.
Why the window matters
Kamal Gianchandani, CEO, PVR Inox Pictures Limited, told Hindustan Times that the Dussehra week has always been a strong period to release a film in every language across the country. He pointed out that a film landing in this slot gets a clear run until Diwali — about 20 days, or roughly three weeks — which is more than enough for a strong box office performance.
The next major release after that is Ramayana Part 1, starring Ranbir Kapoor and Sai Pallavi, due on November 5.
Gianchandani added that Nayyi Navelli “goes well with the festival”, while Prahaar is a high-concept film that can still take off in the current market.
The risk of too many choices
Devang Sampat, Managing Director, Cinepolis India, said six films in a single week is a lot. The festival does grow the audience, and the films are spread across languages and genres, but each title gets less time to find its audience. He argued that when a release date is planned with an eight-week view, films get a better run, audiences find it easier to choose, and exhibitors can plan shows more effectively.
Trade analyst Taran Adarsh struck a similar note: there are a lot of films this time, and the hope is that all of them find an audience because that is the need of the hour. The calendar, he added, will only get more crowded until Diwali.
Dussehra has been crowded before
- 2025: Kantara Chapter 1 vs Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari
- 2024: Jigra vs Vicky Vidya Ka Voh Wala Video vs Vettaiyan
- 2023: Tejas vs Ganapath Part 1 vs Bhagavanth Kesari vs Leo
For fans, the practical play is simple: check the trailers, pick your favourite early and book ahead. A festive crowd lifts every title, but screens are still finite — and each extra release shrinks the number of shows before word of mouth catches up.
Source: Hindustan Times