Dhamaal 4 Box Office: Surpasses Drishyam 2, Becomes Ajay Devgn’s 5th-Highest Opening Weekend Grosser
By Priya Sharma | July 15, 2026 | 10 min read
The comedy juggernaut Dhamaal 4 has delivered a knockout opening weekend, collecting an estimated ₹69.25 crore nett in India. The film not only topped the box office charts but also raced past the first-weekend record of Drishyam 2 (₹64.14 crore), claiming the fifth spot among Ajay Devgn’s biggest openers. The strong numbers signal a robust return of the family-comedy genre and underline the enduring power of the Dhamaal franchise.
A Dream Start for the Dhamaal Franchise
After a seven-year gap since Total Dhamaal (2019), the fourth installment was one of the most anticipated releases of 2026. The film opened at ₹21.40 crore on Friday (including paid previews), grew to ₹24.15 crore on Saturday, and held remarkably well with ₹23.70 crore on Sunday. The cumulative weekend haul of ₹69.25 crore not only exceeded pre-release trade expectations but also marks the biggest opening weekend for a pure comedy film since the franchise’s own previous entry.
The film managed these figures despite facing partial competition from Alpha, the Alia Bhatt-starrer that is still running in theatres. According to distributors, single screens and mass circuits contributed heavily, registering an overall occupancy of 72% across the country—a clear indicator that the franchise’s appeal has only deepened with time.
Day-Wise Box Office Breakdown (Nett India)
- Friday (Day 1): ₹21.40 crore
- Saturday (Day 2): ₹24.15 crore
- Sunday (Day 3): ₹23.70 crore
Total Opening Weekend: ₹69.25 crore
These figures are compiled from official distributor data and trade trackers. The steady weekend trend, without a major Sunday drop, suggests that word-of-mouth is positive and could translate into healthy weekday numbers.
Ajay Devgn’s Top Opening Weekends — A Revised Ranking
With the ₹69.25 crore haul, Dhamaal 4 now sits comfortably as Ajay Devgn’s fifth-highest opening weekend grosser. It edges past Drishyam 2 (₹64.14 crore) and settles just below the mammoth numbers of his larger-than-life action films and previous franchise hits.
- Singham Again – ₹120.15 crore
- Golmaal Again – ₹87.60 crore
- Total Dhamaal – ₹81.40 crore
- Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior – ₹75.68 crore
- Dhamaal 4 – ₹69.25 crore ✦
- Drishyam 2 – ₹64.14 crore
The reshuffled top six now reveals a fascinating truth: Devgn’s biggest openings come from a mix of high-octane cop dramas and comedies, underscoring his versatility at the ticket window.
Why Dhamaal 4 Outperformed Drishyam 2
The comparison between a thriller and a comedy is not straightforward, but it highlights shifting audience preferences. Drishyam 2 relied on strong critical acclaim and urban multiplex audiences, whereas Dhamaal 4 tapped directly into the mass market and family crowds. The sheer breadth of the comedy’s appeal—spanning all age groups—gave it a wider initial reach.
Trade analysts also point to the nostalgia factor. The Dhamaal series has been a reliable source of laughter for over two decades, and the return of the core cast—Ajay Devgn, Riteish Deshmukh, Arshad Warsi, and Javed Jaffrey—ignited excitement. Adding to the frenzy was Sanjay Dutt’s uproarious extended cameo, which was kept largely under wraps until the final promotional push.
Key Factors That Powered the Blockbuster Opening
- Franchise equity: Four films deep, the Dhamaal brand is synonymous with clean, family-friendly comedy.
- Ensemble chemistry: The interplay between Devgn’s deadpan humor and the manic energy of Warsi and Deshmukh is a proven formula.
- Surprise element: Sanjay Dutt’s hilarious character, teased late in the campaign, drove a last-minute spike in advance bookings.
- Chartbuster music: The recreated 90s hit “Chhamma Chhamma” became a viral sensation, drawing younger audiences to theatres.
- Exclusive theatrical window: The producers refrained from any OTT pre-release arrangement, ensuring all eyes were on the big screen.
What Lies Ahead: Can Dhamaal 4 Cross ₹200 Crore?
The opening weekend places the film on a strong trajectory, but the crucial Monday hold will determine its long-term fate. Comedies historically face a steeper weekday drop than action spectacles, and the film’s heavy skew towards mass circuits makes it susceptible to mid-week fatigue. However, with no major Bollywood release scheduled for the next fortnight, the runway is clear for Dhamaal 4 to enjoy an extended run.
Conservative trade estimates now project a lifetime collection between ₹190 crore and ₹210 crore nett. If the film holds well during the working week, the ₹200-crore milestone is within reach—a feat that would place it among the year’s top earners and cement the Dhamaal franchise as one of Bollywood’s most bankable comedy brands.
The performance also reaffirms Ajay Devgn’s unique standing: an actor equally at home in patriotic dramas, thrillers, and laugh-out-loud capers. For a complete overview of his upcoming slate, follow our Ajay Devgn upcoming movies hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much did Dhamaal 4 collect in its opening weekend?
The film netted approximately ₹69.25 crore in India, surpassing the previous record held by Drishyam 2 for a non-action Ajay Devgn film.
Is Dhamaal 4 Ajay Devgn’s highest opening weekend film?
No, it ranks as his 5th highest. Singham Again (₹120.15 cr) remains on top, followed by Golmaal Again, Total Dhamaal, and Tanhaji.
Did Dhamaal 4 beat Drishyam 2’s opening weekend?
Yes. Drishyam 2 collected ₹64.14 crore in its first three days; Dhamaal 4 has surpassed that figure and pushed Drishyam 2 to the 6th position.
Who stars in Dhamaal 4?
The ensemble cast includes Ajay Devgn, Riteish Deshmukh, Arshad Warsi, Javed Jaffrey, and Sanjay Dutt in a special appearance.
Will Dhamaal 4 cross the ₹200 crore mark?
Based on the opening weekend and the open release window, trade experts predict a lifetime collection between ₹190 crore and ₹210 crore, making the ₹200-crore milestone a strong possibility.
References & Official Sources
- Box office figures sourced from Box Office India, Pinkvilla, and verified trade analyst reports.
- Production notes – Reliance Entertainment and Ajay Devgn FFilms press release.
- Historical opening weekend data referenced from Entertainment Hub’s own verified box office archive.