New Delhi, Dec. 4 -- Theatres are looking to 2026 for a turnaround after two uneven years. The coming year packs a rare concentration of star-heavy releases, with Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Ranbir Kapoor, Vijay and several others returning to the big screen.

Trade experts believe that even in an increasingly content-focused market, the comeback of marquee faces could revive opening-day momentum, which has dipped recently as films either lack buzz or depend entirely on word-of-mouth. With each star aiming for around Rs.500 crore in lifetime earnings from their projects, expectations are running high.

Hindi cinema's box-office slowed further in 2024, with gross collections slipping 13% to Rs.4,679 crore, as per media consulting firm Orm...