Mumbai, July 30, 2025 — Ajay Devgn’s much-anticipated comedy sequel Son of Sardaar 2, directed by Vijay Kumar Arora and co-starring Mrunal Thakur, is facing significant hurdles just days before its theatrical release on August 1. Despite plans for a wide rollout across 3,500 screens, the film is struggling to secure adequate showtimes due to stiff competition and exhibitor resistance.
According to industry reports, the film’s distributors, including PVRInox, have been pushing for 60% of total show slots across cinema chains. However, many exhibitors—particularly non-national multiplexes and single-screen theatres—are unwilling to comply, offering only 35% of daily shows. Some single screens have agreed to just two shows per day, while others are opting out entirely.
The reluctance stems from the continued box office dominance of Saiyaara, a romantic drama starring newcomers Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda, and Mahavatar Narsimha, an animated mythological film. Both titles have maintained strong footfalls, making exhibitors hesitant to replace them with new releases.
Compounding the challenge is the simultaneous release of Dhadak 2, starring Siddhant Chaturvedi and Triptii Dimri. Unlike Devgn’s film, Dhadak 2 is pursuing a strategic limited release across 1,000 screens, primarily targeting urban centers. This approach has helped it avoid the screen crunch that Son of Sardaar 2 is currently facing.
Originally scheduled for release on July 25, Son of Sardaar 2 was postponed by a week to avoid clashing with Saiyaara. However, the delay has not yielded the desired outcome, as exhibitors remain committed to retaining high-performing titles.
Negotiations between producers and theatre owners are ongoing, with a final decision on screen allocation expected by July 31 morning. Trade analysts predict a reduced opening footprint of around 2,500 screens, which could impact the film’s box office performance, especially in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities where single screens play a crucial role.
Despite the setback, the makers remain optimistic, banking on Ajay Devgn’s star power and the film’s blend of action and comedy to draw audiences. Early projections suggest an opening day collection in the range of ₹5–6 crore, a modest figure compared to the original Son of Sardaar (2012), which debuted with over ₹9 crore.
