Emraan Hashmi’s Awarapan 2 is generating strong buzz ahead of its theatrical release, with advance bookings already surpassing the lifetime box office collection of the 2007 original.
The sequel has sold more than 1.3 lakh tickets for its opening day, according to Sacnilk data cited by Hindustan Times. The film had only begun advance sales 48 hours before its release, but bookings accelerated rapidly on Thursday.
With Awarapan 2 set to hit theatres on August 14, trade expectations are now pointing towards one of the biggest Bollywood openings of 2026.
Awarapan 2 advance booking crosses ₹4 crore
By 3 pm on Thursday, the film had reportedly sold over 1.3 lakh tickets, generating around ₹4 crore in advance bookings for its opening day.
Trade estimates suggest that advance bookings for the opening weekend and subsequent shows have crossed ₹9 crore gross, or around ₹7-8 crore net.
That figure is significant because the original Awarapan, released in 2007, earned approximately ₹7.7 crore net during its entire theatrical run.
The sequel, therefore, has effectively crossed the original film’s lifetime earnings through advance bookings even before its first show.
Emraan Hashmi eyes biggest opening of his career
The strong pre-release response has raised expectations for Emraan Hashmi’s return as Shivam Pandit.
Awarapan 2 is currently being projected to open in the range of ₹15-20 crore net on its first day. If the higher-end estimates materialise, it could become Hashmi’s biggest opening yet.
The film is also expected to target the ₹100 crore worldwide mark during its opening weekend, according to trade estimates.
How Awarapan became a cult classic
The original Awarapan was not a major theatrical success when it released in 2007. The film opened to modest numbers and finished with a reported lifetime net collection of around ₹7.7 crore.
However, its reputation changed considerably over the years.
Through television, home video and later streaming platforms, the film developed a dedicated following, with audiences particularly remembering Hashmi’s performance, the emotional storyline and its music.
That delayed appreciation appears to have translated into considerable interest in the sequel.
Awarapan 2 faces Batwara 1947 clash
Awarapan 2 will release alongside Sunny Deol’s Batwara 1947 on August 14.
Despite the clash, early trade estimates suggest that Awarapan 2 has the advantage in terms of advance bookings and audience buzz.
Directed by Nitin Kakkar and produced by Vishesh Bhatt, the sequel stars Emraan Hashmi alongside Shabana Azmi, Disha Patani and Suvinder Vicky.
The film will return Hashmi to the role of Shivam Pandit, nearly two decades after the original.
