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!

Interestingly, Bollywood has completely skipped this weekend, so there are no new Hindi releases.

Let’s look at the complete list of movies released this week, their short plots, and some quick tips on what you should watch!

The Malayalam Lineup: 6 Movies, But Only 1 Big Buzz!

Usually, when six Malayalam movies release together on a Friday, fans get confused. However, this week is quite different. Out of the 6 movies releasing today, only one movie has been heavily advertised and well-promoted: Masthishka Maranam. The other five are smaller releases relying entirely on good word-of-mouth. Here is the breakdown:

Masthishka Maranam

• Genre: Cyberpunk / Sci-Fi Thriller

• Cast: Rajisha Vijayan, Niranj Maniyanpilla Raju, Divya Prabha

• What is it about? Directed by Krishand, this highly-anticipated futuristic movie is set in a dystopian 2046 Kochi. It follows a grieving father who enters a dangerous virtual reality memory game to reconnect with his lost child, only to uncover dark secrets.

• Tip: This is the most well-advertised and biggest Malayalam release of the week. If you love futuristic, mind-bending concepts, book your tickets immediately!

L-Jagadamma Ezhaam Class – B State First

• Genre: Drama / Comedy

• Cast: Urvashi, V. K. Baiju

• What is it about? A powerful and heartwarming story of a woman’s resilience, justice, and journey. It is packed with emotional depth and brilliant situational comedy.

• Tip: Watch this purely for Urvashi’s legendary acting performance. It is a fantastic family watch.

ICU

• Genre: Medical Thriller

• What is it about? A tense, edge-of-the-seat thriller that takes place entirely inside the walls of a hospital’s intensive care unit during a single, chaotic night shift.

• Tip: Good for fans of suspenseful, closed-room thrillers.

Iniyum

• Genre: Family Drama

• What is it about? A deeply emotional story exploring complicated relationship dynamics, past mistakes, and second chances within a middle-class Kerala family.

• Tip: A slow-paced emotional drama suitable for mature audiences.

Priya Puthren

• Genre: Sentimental Drama

• What is it about? The story of a devoted son and his extreme sacrifices for his family, leading to unexpected life challenges.

• Tip: A classic, emotional tearjerker. Keep your tissues ready.

KKK

• Genre: Dark Comedy / Mystery

• What is it about? A quirky, low-budget indie film revolving around three strangers whose lives connect in a bizarre and funny incident.

• Tip: For fans of experimental, indie comedy films.

Tamil Releases: Thalapathy Returns!

Theri (Re-release)

• Genre: Action Mass Entertainer

• What is it about? Since Thalapathy Vijay’s highly anticipated farewell movie Jana Nayagan has been delayed due to censor issues, the makers have re-released his 2016 blockbuster Theri to satisfy the fans!

• Tip: If you want a festival-like theater experience with massive cheering and dancing, this is the one to watch this weekend!

Aazhi

• Genre: Coastal Action / Drama

• What is it about? A raw and rustic tale of survival, local politics, and revenge set against the backdrop of a rough fishing village.

• Tip: Expect a gritty, realistic Kollywood experience.

English (Hollywood) Release

Scream 7

• Genre: Slasher Horror

• Cast: Neve Campbell

• What is it about? The iconic Ghostface killer is back! This time, the original “final girl,” Sidney Prescott, returns to protect her family from a brand new, highly intelligent serial killer.

• Tip: A must-watch for hardcore horror fans and 90s nostalgia lovers.

A Weekend of Different Genres!

If you look closely, this week offers an incredible variety of genres. You can travel to the future with the sci-fi thrills of Masthishka Maranam, get terrified by the slasher horror of Scream 7, enjoy a heartwarming family drama with L-Jagadamma, or celebrate pure mass action with the Theri re-release. There is literally a completely different genre for every type of mood!

Conclusion

While 6 Malayalam movies are clashing today, Masthishka Maranam is clearly leading the race in terms of hype and theater count. However, smaller movies with great acting, like L-Jagadamma, might surprise everyone with strong audience reviews by Sunday.

Which movie are you planning to watch this weekend? Are you going for the new Sci-Fi movie or the Theri re-release? Let us know your choices in the comments below!