Emraan Hashmi returns to theatres as Shivam Pandit in Awarapan 2, releasing August 14. That is nearly two decades after the original 2007 film became a cult favourite. The sequel also stars Disha Patani and Shabana Azmi, with Nitin Kakkar directing and Vishesh Bhatt producing under the Vishesh Films banner.

Advance bookings crossed 45,000 tickets across major national chains including PVR Inox and Cinepolis for opening day alone, according to trade tracking sites. By Wednesday evening, industry watchers expected total advance sales to approach 100,000 tickets. That is a strong number for a sequel to a film that never performed big at the box office the first time around.

The original Awarapan earned just ₹79 lakh on its opening day in 2007. Its entire theatrical run closed at around ₹7.76 crore net in India, roughly ₹12.18 crore worldwide. Trade analysts now project Awarapan 2 could clear that lifetime total in a single day. Opening estimates range from ₹15 crore to ₹21 crore net.

The film’s box office run will not go uncontested. Awarapan 2 opens the same day as Sunny Deol’s Batwara 1947. That sets up a direct clash between two very different kinds of Hindi cinema. One is a brooding crime drama built on Hashmi’s cult following. The other is a period drama backed by Deol’s mass appeal.

Much of the original film’s reputation rested on its bleak tone and Mithoon’s music. The marketing for the sequel has leaned on both heavily. That tone sets Awarapan 2 apart from the mainstream thrillers and comedies that have made up most of Hashmi’s recent output.

Whether Awarapan 2 can convert strong advance interest into a lasting box office run beyond opening weekend remains the open question. That is especially true with a competing big-ticket release sharing the same date. Collections from the first two days should make clear which film Hindi audiences are backing this weekend.