Box Office Battle Heats Up: Ajay Devgn’s Son of Sardaar 2 Struggles for Screens Amid Saiyaara and Mahavatar Narsimha Mania
Ajay Devgn’s much-anticipated action-comedy Son of Sardaar 2 is facing an uphill battle even before its theatrical release. The sequel to the 2012 hit Son of Sardaar, which had charmed audiences with its blend of humor, action, and Punjabi flair, is now struggling to find sufficient screens across India. The unexpected roadblock? The massive wave of excitement surrounding two other big releases—Saiyaara and Mahavatar Narsimha.
A Storm Called Saiyaara and Mahavatar Narsimha
While Son of Sardaar 2 was poised to cash in on the Independence Day weekend, the box office narrative has taken a drastic twist. Saiyaara, a romantic musical drama directed by Siddharth Anand, has captured the imagination of the youth with its soulful tracks and star-powered pairing. Meanwhile, the mythological epic Mahavatar Narsimha, directed by Raghav Kashyap, is drawing enormous crowds, particularly in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, thanks to its grand visuals, religious sentiments, and buzz generated from temple promotions and spiritual communities.
Theatres across the nation are prioritizing these two crowd-pullers, leaving Son of Sardaar 2 with limited showtimes, especially in premium multiplexes and single screens in North India—once considered Ajay Devgn’s stronghold.
Ajay Devgn’s Gamble and the Sequel’s Promise
Ajay Devgn, who also serves as the producer of Son of Sardaar 2, has spared no effort in crafting a larger-than-life entertainer. The film picks up years after the events of the original, with Devgn’s character Jassi embroiled in a fresh feud that spirals into hilarious chaos and high-octane stunts. New additions to the cast include Kriti Sanon as the female lead and Sanjay Dutt in a powerful antagonist role, promising to up the drama and nostalgia.
Despite its pedigree, the sequel is facing an underwhelming advance booking status, attributed largely to the saturation caused by the Saiyaara and Mahavatar Narsimha juggernauts.
Industry Reactions and Trade Predictions
Trade analysts are divided. While some believe that Devgn’s loyal fanbase and the film’s mass appeal could help Son of Sardaar 2 gain momentum through word-of-mouth, others suggest it might get drowned in the box office storm unless it pulls off a spectacular weekend performance.
“Ajay Devgn films traditionally do well in mass belts,” says industry expert Girish Johar. “But with Saiyaara dominating the metros and Mahavatar Narsimha cornering the spiritual demographic, Son of Sardaar 2 is getting squeezed in between.”
Social media trends also reflect a split sentiment. While Saiyaara is trending for its chartbuster love song “Ishq Ka Raag,” and Mahavatar Narsimha is gaining traction through religious influencers, Son of Sardaar 2 is struggling to carve out digital buzz beyond Ajay Devgn’s core fanbase.
The Road Ahead: Can Devgn Pull Off a Turnaround?
All eyes are now on the weekend collections. If Son of Sardaar 2 manages to resonate with family audiences and capitalize on the festive mood, it could claw back lost ground. Devgn is reportedly planning aggressive marketing blitzes, including regional promotions and last-minute tie-ups with cinema chains to increase visibility.
In contrast, Saiyaara is being hailed as the new-age love story India needed, while Mahavatar Narsimha is riding a wave of cultural nationalism that has proven box office gold in recent years.
Conclusion
Son of Sardaar 2 may be fighting an uphill battle, but Bollywood has seen underdog stories rise before. With powerful star presence, comedy-action nostalgia, and grassroots-level support, the film still has a shot—if it can weather the storm stirred by Saiyaara‘s romantic whirlwind and Mahavatar Narsimha‘s divine dominance.
Theatres may be crowded, but the real show has just begun.
