The Indian box office witnessed a high-profile clash on Sunday, January 11, 2026, as two major pan-India releases, Prabhas' Dhurandhar and Pawan Kalyan's The Raja Saab, locked horns. The first-day collections have revealed a clear leader, setting the stage for an intriguing week ahead.
Day One Collections: A Clear Winner Emerges
According to early estimates and industry tracker Sacnilk, the Prabhas-starrer Dhurandhar has taken a decisive lead, minting an impressive ₹4.5 crore across India on its opening day. The film, directed by Prashanth Neel and produced by Vijay Kiragandur under Hombale Films, opened to a nationwide occupancy of 25.58%. The action-packed drama saw its highest occupancy in the Telugu states, followed by promising numbers in the Hindi belt.
On the other side, Pawan Kalyan's mass entertainer The Raja Saab collected approximately ₹2.1 crore on its first day. The film, directed by Maruthi and produced by Mythri Movie Makers, recorded an overall occupancy of 16.67%. While it found strong pockets of support in its core markets, it could not match the pan-India pull of its competitor on day one.
Analyzing the Performance and Market Dynamics
The significant gap in day-one earnings can be attributed to several factors. Dhurandhar benefits from the colossal combination of Prabhas and director Prashanth Neel, fresh off the blockbuster Salaar and the KGF franchise. This partnership has generated immense pre-release buzz and wider screen penetration. The film's advance booking figures were notably robust, indicating strong audience anticipation.
The Raja Saab, featuring Pawan Kalyan in a dual role, carries the appeal of a classic mass masala entertainer. However, its performance suggests a more region-centric appeal on the opening day compared to the pan-India draw of Dhurandhar. The film's collections were particularly driven by the Nizam region and other parts of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
It is crucial to note that January 11 was a Sunday, providing both films with the advantage of a full holiday. This likely boosted the collections for both movies, allowing families and wider demographics to visit theatres.
The Road Ahead: Word-of-Mouth Will Be Key
While Dhurandhar has won the initial battle with a strong opening, the real war at the box office will be decided by audience word-of-mouth and sustaining power over the week. The coming days, especially Monday, will be critical in judging the legs of both films. Positive reviews and strong audience reactions are essential for both ventures to maintain momentum and achieve long-term success.
The performance of these two big-ticket releases is being closely watched by the industry, as it sets the tone for the cinematic year 2026. The clash has divided audience attention but has also brought significant footfall back to theatres, a positive sign for exhibitors. The ultimate verdict on which film emerges as the bigger commercial success will depend on their respective holds in the days to come.
