Did Dhurandhar Hurt Alpha at the Box Office? Trade Experts Weigh In on the Spy Thriller Debate

Alia Bhatt and Sharvari’s Alpha has struggled to maintain momentum at the box office after an encouraging opening weekend. As the YRF Spy Universe film witnessed a sharp drop in collections, many industry observers and social media users began speculating whether Ranveer Singh’s blockbuster Dhurandhar had changed audience expectations for spy thrillers.

The debate has now reached Bollywood’s trade circles, with leading analysts sharing mixed opinions on whether Dhurandhar played any role in Alpha’s underwhelming theatrical performance.

Taran Adarsh: Audience Mindset Has Changed

Veteran trade analyst Taran Adarsh believes the success of Dhurandhar has influenced audience expectations from the spy-action genre.

According to him, the post-Dhurandhar landscape has changed significantly, particularly regarding patriotic storytelling and narratives involving India-Pakistan conflicts. Audiences are now looking for a different treatment of spy thrillers, making comparisons almost inevitable.

Atul Mohan: Comparison With Dhurandhar Was Unavoidable

Trade analyst Atul Mohan admitted that comparisons between the two films were always going to happen.

He pointed out that a section of social media users criticised Alpha, claiming the film portrayed Pakistan in a softer light. However, he also clarified that Alpha was filmed much before Dhurandhar, making direct comparisons somewhat unfair.

Atul further noted that delays in Alpha’s release also worked against the film, while its teaser failed to generate the level of excitement expected from a YRF Spy Universe title.

At the same time, he acknowledged that Dhurandhar has now become the benchmark for modern spy thrillers.

“You can’t escape comparison with Dhurandhar. It’ll remain in front of you always. Whenever people talk of the Spy Universe, the first comparison will be Dhurandhar. A film like Dhurandhar comes once in a lifetime. It redefines storytelling and has set a benchmark,” he said.

Vishek Chauhan Rejects the Theory

Cinema exhibitor and Roopbani Cinema owner Vishek Chauhan completely dismissed the argument that Dhurandhar affected Alpha’s business.

According to him, theatrical audiences are driven purely by entertainment value rather than comparisons with previous releases.

He highlighted that despite negative online discussions, Alpha still opened close to Rs. 10 crore, significantly outperforming several early trade predictions.

Vishek argued that audiences constantly seek fresh and exciting content.

He compared moviegoers to a “hungry beast” always looking for something new, adding that repetition—not comparisons—is what truly hurts theatrical business.

According to him, if a film excites audiences, they will watch it regardless of what released before.

Girish Johar Says Social Media Didn’t Matter

Film business analyst and producer Girish Johar also believes that online trolling had very little impact on Alpha’s initial box office performance.

He pointed out that the film’s opening weekend collections indicate audiences were still willing to give it a chance.

According to Johar, the general public ultimately judges a film based on its entertainment value rather than social media narratives.

Why Is Alpha Facing Box Office Challenges?

While opinions differ on Dhurandhar’s influence, most trade experts agree that content and audience reception remain the biggest deciding factors.

Alpha registered a decent opening but failed to sustain momentum due to mixed word-of-mouth. In contrast, Dhurandhar benefited from overwhelmingly positive audience feedback, helping it enjoy a much stronger theatrical run.

The comparison between the two films may continue, but trade insiders believe the ultimate success of any film depends on how well it connects with audiences rather than the shadow of previous blockbusters.

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