The Indian box office is bracing for a significant clash on March 19, 2026, as Dhurandhar 2 and Toxic: A Fairytale for Grown-Ups are set to release simultaneously. Adding to the anticipation, filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma has weighed in on the impending cinematic collision, coining the term "Dhuroxic" to describe the face-off. Varma frames "Dhuroxic" not merely as a commercial battle but as a clash between fundamentally different cinematic ideologies.

Varma took to X to share his detailed thoughts, sparking considerable discussion online. He characterizes Dhurandhar 2, directed by Aditya Dhar and starring Ranveer Singh, as "ultra-realistic cinema," while portraying Toxic, directed by Geetu Mohandas and starring Yash, as "ultra-unrealistic cinema".

According to Varma, Dhurandhar emphasizes cause and consequence, revealing violence as stemming from moral, psychological, and political foundations. He suggests that characters in Dhurandhar 2 act out of necessity, trusting the audience's intelligence, while Toxic prioritizes style over logic, showcasing violence for attitude rather than necessity. Varma posits that Toxic assumes the audience desires stimulation over emotional engagement.

Varma contrasts the protagonists of the two films, stating that Dhurandhar's protagonist is human, capable of failure and vulnerability, whereas Toxic's protagonist is "born bulletproof," with the story bending to protect his "ultra cool factor". He further suggests that Dhurandhar respects grim reality and unsettles viewers, while Toxic sells fantasy disguised as seriousness and aims to impress.

Varma also differentiates the filmmaking styles, noting that Dhurandhar's camera behaves like a witness, with observational frames and editing that respects time and narrative, while Toxic's camera behaves like a master, using slow motion and editing to manufacture intensity.

Dhurandhar, which premiered in December 2025, follows an Indian spy infiltrating Pakistan to dismantle gangster operations. The film, also starring Akshaye Khanna, R Madhavan, Arjun Rampal and Sanjay Dutt, has garnered positive reviews and strong viewership. Dhurandhar 2 is set to release in Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, and Kannada, expanding its reach compared to the first film. Meanwhile, the teaser for Toxic has generated buzz online with its graphic visuals and stylistic violence. The film also stars Nayanthara, Kiara Advani, and Tara Sutaria.

Varma believes that the "Dhuroxic" clash could mark a defining moment in cinema, potentially shifting audience preferences away from hero worship and towards relatable characters. He questions whether audiences will scoff at "bulletproof masculinity," proving they want relatable humans, or if spectacle will continue to dominate. He describes the simultaneous release as a cinematic equivalent of witnessing raw conflict alongside a glossy fashion shoot.

With both films promising high-octane action and drama, the "Dhuroxic" showdown is shaping up to be one of the most closely watched box office battles of the year. The outcome could reveal evolving audience tastes and potentially influence the future direction of Indian cinema.