'Saiyaara's box-office storm delays Ajay Devgn's 'Son of Sardaar 2': is it a smart move?

Sudden Change in Release Strategy

Ajay Devgn’s upcoming film Son Of Sardaar 2 was earlier scheduled for a theatrical release on July 25. However, the release date has now been officially moved to August 1. The decision, reportedly made in consultation with studio partners Jio Studios and the film’s producers, comes after the unexpected and exceptional box office performance of another film, Saiyaara.

According to trade sources, the romantic drama Saiyaara, released on July 18, opened to strong collections and has been receiving highly positive audience feedback. The film surpassed expectations with a first-day collection of over Rs 20 crore. With word-of-mouth driving traffic, it is expected to continue performing well throughout its second week. This success directly influenced the makers of Son Of Sardaar 2 to reconsider their release strategy.

A trade source familiar with the development stated that releasing Son Of Sardaar 2 just a week after Saiyaara would have posed a commercial risk. The teams involved, including Ajay Devgn and Jio Studios, evaluated the box office dynamics and opted to give Saiyaara more breathing room to maximise its theatrical potential.

A Strategic Pause in a Crowded Calendar

The move also highlights a broader trend in the industry where release schedules are becoming increasingly dynamic based on real-time market feedback. With Saiyaara dominating screens and audience attention, the release of another big-ticket film would not only divide footfalls but may also limit the reach of both films.

The decision to delay Son Of Sardaar 2 has been widely welcomed by industry experts. A prominent trade analyst called it a sensible step, explaining that Saiyaara is on track to deliver a strong two-week run. With Son Of Sardaar 2 now set to hit theatres on August 1, the film stands a better chance of securing screens and drawing attention without heavy competition from a film already in its peak run.

Interestingly, August 1 will now see Son Of Sardaar 2 releasing alongside Dhadak 2. Although this will lead to a clash at the box office, insiders believe that the impact of Dhadak 2 on Son Of Sardaar 2 will likely be less severe compared to the competition posed by Saiyaara if the original release date had been retained.

Shifting Priorities in the Box Office Game

The rapid and sustained success of Saiyaara has prompted many in the trade to reevaluate old assumptions about star power and film openings. The movie, which relies primarily on strong storytelling and audience connection rather than star-led hype, is proving to be a game-changer in terms of box office trends.

Son Of Sardaar 2, despite its ensemble cast led by Ajay Devgn, has had to acknowledge the market momentum created by Saiyaara. With an opening weekend for Saiyaara predicted to reach Rs 60 to 70 crore, holding back Son Of Sardaar 2 gives it a better launchpad in the following week.

Interestingly, the move also marks a rare occasion where a film starring a major Bollywood name such as Ajay Devgn chooses to step aside for a movie led by newcomers. This underlines a changing landscape where audience sentiment, rather than just stardom, is beginning to dictate release decisions.

The decision seems to reflect an industry learning to adapt quickly to box office realities. With Saiyaara expected to continue its strong run and August shaping up to be another big month for Bollywood with releases like War 2, both filmmakers and distributors appear to be treading more carefully.

Son Of Sardaar 2 features an ensemble that includes Mrunal Thakur, Ravi Kishan, Neeru Bajwa, Deepak Dobriyal, Kubbra Sait, Chunky Panday, Sharat Saxena, Vindu Dara Singh, Roshni Walia, Sanjay Mishra, Ashwini Kalsekar and the late Mukul Dev. Directed by Vijay Kumar Arora, the film is backed by Jio Studios and Devgn Films and produced by Ajay Devgn, Jyoti Deshpande, N R Pachisia and Pravin Talreja.

While the delay in release may shift some promotional plans, it positions the film to capitalise better on an uncluttered window and a post-Saiyaara audience looking for the next big release.

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