Big-ticket box office action on 19 March 2026 just changed, as Adivi Sesh and Mrunal Thakur’s Dacoit moved its release. The heist drama will now arrive in cinemas on 10 April 2026, stepping away from Ranveer Singh’s Dhurandhar: The Revenge and Yash’s Toxic: A Fairytale for Grown-Ups.
Dacoit was earlier locked for 19 March 2026, aiming to cash in on Eid and Gudi Padwa footfall. The producers instead chose a later date to secure more screens and breathing room. They also underlined respect for both rival projects and their teams, saying the shift ensures “the film gets its rightful moment while allowing audiences to experience each film on its own terms.”
At a time when March is packed with multiple film releases and several high-profile announcements, Dacoit-an ambitious, content-driven theatrical venture led by Adivi Sesh-has opted for a strategic shift in its release plans. Placing long-term audience engagement above immediate competition, the makers have thoughtfully recalibrated the film’s release strategy, pushing its theatrical debut to April 10.
Dacoit release date shift amid Dhurandhar: The Revenge and Toxic clash
The schedule tweak places Dacoit three weeks after the high-profile clash between Dhurandhar: The Revenge and Toxic. Trade watchers expect the fresh slot to offer better holdover business. The new plan also reduces pressure on multiplex programming, which often struggles when several large-scale titles arrive together on a single holiday weekend.
| Film | Main Cast | Director | Release Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dacoit | Adivi Sesh, Mrunal Thakur | Shaneil Deo | 10 April 2026 |
| Dhurandhar: The Revenge | Ranveer Singh, Arjun Rampal, R Madhavan, Sanjay Dutt | Not announced | 19 March 2026 |
| Toxic: A Fairytale for Grown-Ups | Yash, Nayanthara, Kiara Advani, Tara Sutaria, Huma Qureshi, Rukmini Vasanth | Geetu Mohandas | 19 March 2026 |
Dacoit marks the feature directorial debut of Shaneil Deo and places Adivi Sesh as an inspector at its centre. The narrative follows two former lovers who reluctantly reunite for a planned series of robberies. Their crimes alter the course of their lives, while Prakash Raj and Anurag Kashyap appear in key supporting roles.
Speaking to Times Now earlier, Adivi described the tone and style of the film. “I think it’s an extremely emotionally charged and angry story. Dacoit has laughter, anger and tears—every emotion that should be there in films. The story is told from the perspective of a neo-Western.”
Dacoit release date move versus Dhurandhar: The Revenge and Toxic expectations
The shift avoids a direct face-off with Dhurandhar: The Revenge, the follow-up to Ranveer Singh’s huge hit. The first Dhurandhar became the highest-grossing Bollywood film and one of the highest-grossing Indian films, earning more than ₹1,300 crore worldwide. The sequel again features Ranveer Singh, Arjun Rampal, R Madhavan and Sanjay Dutt in returning roles.
On the same 19 March 2026 date, Yash-led Toxic: A Fairytale for Grown-Ups remains firmly on track for release. The Geetu Mohandas film previously drew backlash after its teaser showed a graphic sex scene. The cast includes Nayanthara, Kiara Advani, Tara Sutaria, Huma Qureshi and Rukmini Vasanth in central parts.
With Dacoit now arriving on 10 April 2026, audiences gain more space between these high-profile releases. Exhibitors can programme each film with fewer overlaps, while fans of Adivi Sesh, Ranveer Singh and Yash receive dedicated windows to watch their preferred titles on the big screen.