MUMBAI: The Bollywood box office has officially turned into a battlefield. While Ranveer Singh and director Aditya Dhar are basking in the historic success of their espionage thriller Dhurandhar, which has just crossed a massive ₹1,100 crore globally, Kartik Aaryan has sparked a massive controversy.
As Kartik’s latest romantic comedy, Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri (TMMTMTTM), struggles to draw audiences, the actor’s recent social media activity suggests a growing rift between the stars of “masculine” action and “progressive” cinema.
Kartik Aaryan’s Cryptic Instagram Post: A Jab At Dhurandhar’s Success?
In a move that has sent shockwaves through the industry, Kartik Aaryan re-shared a provocative Instagram story by screenplay writer Saurabh Bharat. The post, which Kartik endorsed with red heart emojis, took a direct swipe at the current wave of high-octane action films dominating the Indian market.
The shared post read:
“It’s so heartwarming to see that amidst the madness of hypermasculinity and testosterone-boasting action films, someone is making a breezing progressive film.”
While Kartik didn’t name Ranveer Singh or Aditya Dhar directly, fans and trade experts are convinced it was a targeted dig. The timing is particularly sharp, coming just as Dhurandhar—a film centered on raw power and nationalistic grit—completely eclipses every other release.
TMMTMTTM Box Office Collection: Why Kartik Aaryan’s Film Is Struggling
The rivalry isn’t just digital; it’s being reflected in the cold, hard numbers at the ticket windows. Despite being a major Christmas release, Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri has been “sandwiched” between the Dhurandhar tsunami and James Cameron’s Avatar: Fire and Ash.
Box Office Comparison: The Great Divide
| Movie Title | Star Power | Worldwide Collection | Status |
| Dhurandhar | Ranveer Singh | ₹1,113 Crore+ | All-Time Blockbuster |
| TMMTMTTM | Kartik Aaryan | ₹25.25 Crore | Struggling |
Critics point out that while Kartik’s film aimed to be a “breezy progressive” rom-com, audiences seem to be gravitating toward the “intense, dark, and grand” spectacle of Dhurandhar.
Kartik Aaryan Refused To Postpone TMMTMTTM
In a shocking revelation, trade veteran Taran Adarsh revealed that he had personally warned both Kartik Aaryan and the team at Dharma Productions to push back their release date. Adarsh reportedly called the producers five days before the release, urging them to avoid the “Dhurandhar Wave”, as per Bollywood Hungama.
“I told them, ‘There’s a strong Dhurandhar wave. You still have time. Even if you get the screens, you won’t get the audience.’ When a film unleashes a tsunami, it’s best to shift to another date. There should be no ego at all,” Adarsh stated.
While other films like Agastya Nanda’s Ikkis chose to retreat to January 1 to avoid the carnage, Kartik went ahead with the Christmas release. The result? The actor’s lowest opening weekend in eight years, as exhibitors across India—including iconic theaters like Mumbai’s Regal—refused to cut Dhurandhar’s shows to accommodate the new rom-com.
Ranveer Singh’s Dhurandhar Breaks All Records, Joins 1000 Crore Club
Released on December 5, Dhurandhar has become a cultural phenomenon. It is officially the first Bollywood film to cross ₹700 crore in domestic nett collections, joining an elite list that includes Baahubali 2 and Pushpa 2.
Directed by National Award winner Aditya Dhar, the film has been praised for its technical brilliance and a career-best performance by Ranveer Singh as Hamza, an Indian operative infiltrating a Karachi crime syndicate. The ensemble cast, featuring Akshaye Khanna, R. Madhavan, and Sanjay Dutt, has further fueled the movie’s repeat-watch value.
Dhurandhar 2 Release Date Confirmed: Everything We Know
For fans who can’t get enough of the action, there is massive news. The sequel is already in post-production. Dhurandhar 2 is officially set to release on March 19, 2026. Unlike the first part, which had a Hindi-exclusive run, the sequel will be a massive Pan-India rollout in five languages: Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam. The makers are promising an even larger scale, with the story picking up right from the gripping cliffhanger of the first installment.
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