13 Aug 2026 Punjab Khabarnama Bureau : The box office clash between Emraan Hashmi’s Awarapan 2 and Sunny Deol’s Batwara 1947 is tilting in favour of the former ahead of their August 14 release, with advance bookings showing stronger demand for the sequel.
Awarapan 2 Leads in Advance Bookings
Awarapan 2 has sold significantly more advance tickets than Batwara 1947 across major cinema chains. Reports indicate that the Emraan Hashmi film had sold 62,431 tickets across 3,684 shows, compared with 19,816 tickets for the Sunny Deol starrer.
Emraan Hashmi Eyes Career-Best Opening
The strong pre-release response has raised expectations that Awarapan 2 could deliver Emraan Hashmi’s biggest solo opening.
Early trade estimates have placed its opening in the ₹12 crore-plus range, with some projections suggesting it could reach ₹15 crore or more depending on the final advance sales and holiday response.
Batwara 1947 Trails in the Opening-Day Race
Batwara 1947, directed by Rajkumar Santoshi, is currently tracking behind Awarapan 2 in advance sales.
The period drama has the advantage of Sunny Deol’s star power and the Independence Day holiday, but its current pre-release momentum is comparatively lower.
Can Awarapan 2 Earn Twice as Much?
Based on current trade projections, Awarapan 2 has the potential to open at roughly twice the level of Batwara 1947.
However, these are estimates rather than final collections. Actual opening-day earnings will depend on occupancy, show count, audience reviews and the performance of the films on August 14.
Why Awarapan 2 Has the Edge
The sequel is benefiting from nostalgia surrounding the 2007 original, whose soundtrack and cult following have kept the franchise relevant.
The combination of Emraan Hashmi’s return, the established brand and strong advance bookings has given Awarapan 2 an early advantage in the clash.
A Holiday Weekend Could Change the Picture
While Awarapan 2 currently appears stronger on opening day, Batwara 1947 could benefit from positive word of mouth during the extended Independence Day weekend.
The final winner of the clash will therefore depend not only on the first-day figures but also on how both films perform over the following days.