Awarapan 2 Review and Box Office: Emraan Hashmi’s Comeback Turns Into a Major Theatrical Success

Emraan Hashmi’s Awarapan 2 has emerged as one of the surprise Hindi box-office stories of 2026, bringing the actor back as Shivam Pandit nearly two decades after the original Awarapan developed a strong cult following.

Released on August 14, the romantic action drama opened strongly and maintained considerable momentum through its first weekend. By the end of its fourth day, the film had collected about ₹91 crore net in India, while its worldwide gross had reached approximately ₹130.82 crore, according to figures reported from industry tracker Sacnilk.

Awarapan 2 Box Office: Strong Opening Weekend

The film opened with ₹22 crore net in India and grew sharply on Saturday, benefiting from the Independence Day holiday period and the long-standing popularity of the Awarapan brand. Its first three days produced roughly ₹81.75 crore net domestically, while the worldwide total crossed ₹120 crore.

Monday Brings a Sharp Drop, But Total Remains Strong

Like many films coming off a holiday weekend, Awarapan 2 saw a significant decline on its first Monday. It earned an estimated ₹9.25 crore net on Day 4. Even with the weekday slowdown, the film’s cumulative performance remained impressive, taking its India net total to around ₹91 crore and worldwide gross to approximately ₹130.82 crore.

A Major Career Moment for Emraan Hashmi

The performance is particularly significant for Emraan Hashmi. Awarapan 2 has become one of the strongest solo-led theatrical results of his career and has reinforced the enduring popularity of Shivam Pandit among fans. The sequel also surpassed the original Awarapan’s lifetime India theatrical business on its opening day.

Awarapan 2 Review: Nostalgia Meets a New Mission

Critical reaction has been mixed. Reviews have generally highlighted Hashmi’s intense and emotionally restrained performance, the film’s action sequences, visual presentation and music as its stronger elements. The return of Shivam Pandit provides the sequel with a powerful nostalgia factor, especially for viewers who discovered the 2007 film after its theatrical release.

Where the Film Falls Short

Some reviewers have criticised the screenplay for lacking depth and felt that supporting characters were not developed enough. The second half and climax have also drawn criticism for pacing. For viewers without an emotional connection to the original film, the story may feel more conventional than its box-office phenomenon suggests.

Why Audiences Are Turning Up

The film’s theatrical success appears to be driven by several factors: nostalgia for the original, Emraan Hashmi’s loyal fan following, the popularity of the franchise’s music and the return of a character closely associated with the actor’s career. Audience enthusiasm has so far proved stronger than the film’s mixed critical reception.

Verdict

Awarapan 2 may not have received unanimous critical praise, but commercially it has delivered a powerful comeback for Emraan Hashmi. Its opening weekend demonstrated that the Awarapan brand still carries considerable emotional value, while the ₹130-crore-plus worldwide total after four days puts the sequel firmly among the notable Hindi theatrical performers of the year so far.

Box Office Snapshot

•    Opening day India net: ₹22 crore
•    First three days India net: approximately ₹81.75 crore
•    Day 4 India net: approximately ₹9.25 crore
•    Four-day India net: approximately ₹91 crore
•    Four-day India gross: approximately ₹109.02 crore
•    Four-day worldwide gross: approximately ₹130.82 crore

Sources: The Indian Express, NDTV, India Today and other current box-office reporting. Figures are estimates and may be revised as final trade data becomes available.