Adivi Sesh's 'Dacoit' Postponed to April 10; The 'Dhurandhar' Effect Continues
In a significant shake-up across the March-April release calendar, the makers of the highly anticipated action-romantic thriller Dacoit have officially pushed the film's release date. Starring Adivi Sesh and Mrunal Thakur, the film will now arrive in cinemas on April 10, 2026, moving away from its original March 19 slot .
The announcement was made by the actor himself on social media, where he shared a new poster with the caption, "Goldfish on April 10. In Theaters Worldwide. DACOIT" . This decision makes Dacoit the second major film after Yash's Toxic: A Fairytale for Grown-Ups to vacate the March 19 window, highlighting the massive anticipation surrounding Ranveer Singh's spy thriller, Dhurandhar: The Revenge .
From Avoiding One Clash to Facing Another
Initially, the March 19 date was shaping up to be a massive box office battle, with Dhurandhar 2, Toxic, and Dacoit all vying for screen space. However, with Toxic moving to June 4 citing the ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East as a barrier to a global release, and now Dacoit stepping aside, the path has been cleared for Ranveer Singh's film to have an undisturbed run .
While Dacoit has successfully avoided the Dhurandhar juggernaut, its new date of April 10 puts it in direct competition with an entirely different genre beast. It will now release alongside Akshay Kumar's horror-comedy Bhooth Bangla, directed by Priyadarshan . This clash pits a gritty action-thriller against a family entertainer, offering audiences a diverse choice at the box office. Interestingly, Bhooth Bangla producer Ekta Kapoor had previously expressed confidence in the April 10 window, stating that by then, the March releases would have had a good run, and the holiday period would be beneficial for family audiences .
A Fresh Start for 'Dacoit'
The journey to the big screen for Dacoit has been a talking point in trade circles. This film marks the directorial debut of celebrated cinematographer Shaneil Deo, with Adivi Sesh co-writing the story and screenplay . The project also faced casting changes early on; Shruti Haasan was originally attached to the lead role but exited due to creative differences, after which Mrunal Thakur came on board .
The film, which also features Anurag Kashyap in a pivotal role, is being shot simultaneously in Hindi and Telugu . With the Adivi Sesh film now arriving just in time for the Ugadi festive weekend, the team will be hoping to capitalize on the holiday buzz, even if it means going head-to-head with Akshay Kumar's horror-comedy .
The Bigger Picture: The 'Dhurandhar' Domination
The rescheduling of Dacoit underscores the immense pull of Dhurandhar: The Revenge in the current market. With its release in five languages and a near four-hour runtime, the film is expected to command a lion's share of screen counts worldwide . Trade experts suggest that mid-sized films find it prudent to avoid such a wide-scale release to secure a respectable number of shows.
Now, all eyes are on April 10 to see whether audiences prefer the desi horror-comedy of Bhooth Bangla or the intense, revenge-fueled romance of Dacoit. One thing is certain: the Indian box office continues to be a high-stakes chess game, with release dates being the most crucial move.
