March 2026 was supposed to be the biggest festival for movie lovers in Kerala and across India. Fans were eagerly waiting for March 19 to witness the ultimate First Day First Show (FDFS) clash between three massive movies: Rocking Star Yash’s pan-India epic Toxic, Jayasurya’s cult comedy Aadu 3, and Ranveer Singh’s Bollywood action sequel Dhurandhar 2.
Before this week, the excitement in Kerala was unbelievable. Fans had already started social media debates about which movie would get the biggest cut-outs and the early morning 6:00 AM shows. However, a sudden global situation has completely changed the game. Here is the latest, real-time update on why the biggest box office battle of the year is breaking apart.
The Postponement of Toxic to June 4, 2026
In a shocking update for fans, the makers of Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups have officially postponed the movie. The film will no longer release on March 19. Instead, the new worldwide theatrical release date is set for June 4, 2026.
Why did this happen? The film’s team has confirmed that the ongoing war and geopolitical tensions in the Middle East are the main reasons. A theatrical release is currently not possible in the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) countries. The GCC is a massive, highly profitable market for Indian films. For a big-budget, global pan-India movie like Toxic, releasing now would mean losing millions in overseas box office collections.
Will Aadu 3 Also Get Postponed?
Now, the biggest question for Malayalee audiences is about Aadu 3. Since Aadu 3 is heavily mounted as an epic fantasy comedy, it is the most expensive movie in the entire franchise. For any big-budget Malayalam movie, the UAE and GCC box office is the absolute backbone of its total collection.
Currently, Aadu 3 is still officially scheduled for March 19. But, industry insiders say that if the war continues and the GCC theaters remain closed, the makers of Aadu 3 will also have to postpone the release. Releasing a massive Malayalam movie without the Gulf audience is a huge financial risk. We will have to wait for an official confirmation from Friday Film House in the coming days.
Dhurandhar 2 Sticking to the March 19 Date
While Toxic has backed out and Aadu 3 is in a very risky spot, Ranveer Singh’s Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge is standing strong. This Bollywood spy thriller is currently the only movie fully confirmed to hit the screens on March 19.
Why are the makers of Dhurandhar 2 not worried about the GCC war situation? The answer is simple. The first part of Dhurandhar was already banned in GCC countries due to its controversial political storyline. Because the producers already knew the sequel would not be released in the Middle East anyway, the overseas war situation does not affect their box office calculations at all. They are happy to enjoy a solo release in North India!
Fans and Theater Owners’ Reaction
This sudden schedule change has caused a wave of disappointment. March and April are the golden months for Kerala theaters due to the summer school vacation and the upcoming festival time. Theater owners had started upgrading their screens specifically for the massive crowds expected for this triple-clash.
While theaters will still get good crowds for Dhurandhar 2 and potentially Aadu 3, missing out on a Yash mass-entertainer during the holidays is a big loss. Fans who had already planned their FDFS leaves from work and college are also highly upset, though they fully understand the safety and business reasons behind the delay.
Conclusion
The reality of the film business is that global events deeply affect our local theaters. What was supposed to be a historic box office clash is now changing daily. Dhurandhar 2 is ready to rule the Hindi belt, Toxic fans will have to wait patiently until June 4, and Aadu 3 fans are holding their breath, praying the Gulf situation improves so they can see Shaji Pappan on time.
Will Aadu 3 go solo in Kerala and rule the vacation box office, or will it join Toxic and postpone? Keep watching CinemaCity for the fastest updates!
