Entertainment

‘Awarapan 2’ storms box office with Rs 84.31 crore opening, becomes 2026’s third-highest Hindi weekend grosser

‘Awarapan 2’ scores ₹84.31 crore opening weekend, becoming 2026’s third-highest Hindi opener and reviving single-screen business.

Sentinel Digital Desk

Emraan Hashmi-starrer 'Awarapan 2' has delivered a blockbuster opening weekend at the Indian box office, collecting Rs 84.31 crore nett and becoming the third-highest opening weekend grosser of 2026 among Hindi films, according to film trade analyst Taran Adarsh.

The sequel, which released worldwide in theatres on August 14, recorded a strong performance across Tier 2 and Tier 3 centres. Its run has also brought back "House Full" boards at single screens and non-national cinema chains, signalling a significant boost for exhibitors.

As per trade analyst Taran Adarsh, 'Awarapan 2' opened with Rs 23.40 crore on Friday before registering a substantial jump on Saturday, which coincided with Independence Day, with collections of Rs 34.09 crore.

The film followed that with Rs 26.82 crore on Sunday, taking its opening weekend total to Rs 84.31 crore in official nett box-office collections in India. The opening day itself marked a notable milestone for the franchise, with Friday's collection surpassing the entire lifetime business of the 2007 original 'Awarapan'.

The film's performance also comes as a relief for sections of the exhibition industry following moderate runs from earlier releases including 'Bhooth Bangla', 'Welcome to the Jungle' (WTTJ) and 'Dhamaal 4'. The strong response to 'Awarapan 2' has particularly benefited single-screen exhibitors.

The film now has an open run ahead of the August 26 release of Yash's highly anticipated 'Toxic'.

Directed by Nitin Kakkar, 'Awarapan 2' is produced by Vishesh Bhatt and Mukesh Bhatt under Vishesh Films. (ANI)

Also Read: ‘Pralay’: Ranveer Singh Begins Shooting as Kalyani Priyadarshan Makes Bollywood Debut