The YRF Spy Universe’s first female-led film Alpha is set to hit theatres worldwide on July 3, 2026. Starring Alia Bhatt and Sharvari in the lead roles, the action thriller arrives with big expectations. The movie also features Bobby Deol, Anil Kapoor, and a special cameo from Hrithik Roshan. Directed by Shiv Rawail, who previously made the web series The Railway Men, Alpha is the seventh film in the YRF Spy Universe.
Early box office predictions show a decent start expected. As per advance booking trends, the film has generated strong interest. Trade experts predict the film could earn between Rs 7 to 8 crore on its opening day. The movie is set to run across nearly 9,000 shows on approximately 2,750 screens nationwide.
Advance Booking Numbers Tell a Mixed Story
Alpha saw a strong jump in advance bookings during the final 24 hours before release. The film registered final advance booking worth Rs 3.06 crore gross, selling over 89,000 tickets across the country. This was a 343% increase in the final 24 hours.
Maharashtra led the advance booking with over Rs 73 lakh gross, followed by Delhi with Rs 60 lakh. The national multiplex chains PVR, INOX, and Cinepolis together sold around 39,000 tickets, generating nearly Rs 1.50 crore gross.
However, Alpha missed entering the top 5 advance booking sales of 2026. It fell short of Welcome To The Jungle, which had pre-sales of Rs 3.10 crore. The top 5 advance bookings of 2026 include Dhurandhar 2 (Rs 53 crore), Border 2 (Rs 12.5 crore), Cocktail 2 (Rs 5.57 crore), Bhooth Bangla (Rs 3.32 crore), and Welcome To The Jungle (Rs 3.1 crore).
Morning Occupancy and Early Projections
The morning shows are expected to record an average occupancy of around 9.6% across approximately 1,500 shows. Mumbai is likely to lead the city-wise occupancy with around 11%, while Delhi and Bengaluru are expected to follow closely.
The national multiplex chains are projected to contribute more than 63% of the total morning collections, accounting for approximately Rs 94 lakh. This suggests the film is currently drawing a largely urban and premium multiplex audience.
Critics Call Alpha the Weakest YRF Spy Universe Film
Early reviews from critics have been largely negative. Trade analyst Taran Adarsh called Alpha the “weakest film” in the YRF Spy Universe and gave it a rating of 1.5 stars.
“When you walk into the auditorium to watch #Alpha, it’s impossible not to carry the #Dhurandhar duology with you… Those films have set a new benchmark for spy thrillers rooted in patriotism.”
Adarsh also mentioned that Alia Bhatt “tries hard, but looks miscast in a role like this” while Sharvari is “relegated to the background”. He claimed that Hrithik Roshan’s cameo looked forced.
The Indian Express review called Alpha “a spy film so dull, Alia Bhatt-Sharvari-Hrithik Roshan can’t rescue it”. The review pointed out that the writing feels “borrowed and stale, reminding us of numerous films we have seen before”.
The Week gave the film a 2/5 rating and said it “disappoints with predictable twists and a reliance on tropes, failing to offer anything truly new to the female-led spy genre”.
Audience Reactions Divided on Social Media
Social media reactions to Alpha have been mixed. Some viewers praised the action sequences and performances, while others criticized the story and screenplay.
One X user wrote:
“Alpha didn’t work for me. It feels emotionally hollow. The story and its characters never give you a reason to care. Extremely isolated vibe. The film briefly comes alive whenever Alia and Sharvari share the frame.”
Another user called it a “CRINGE FEST that puts the final nail in the coffin of the Spy Universe”.
However, some viewers enjoyed the film. One user posted:
“Alia is brilliant; she nailed every action scene and it looked fantastic on the big screen. Loved the Sharvari x Alia sequence. Far, far better than the last two Spy Universe movies.”
Hrithik Roshan’s cameo became a major talking point. One viewer wrote that “the theatre erupted” when his character appeared on screen. But others found it “a forced cameo”.
Comparisons to Dhurandhar and Franchise Fatigue
Many social media users compared Alpha to Dhurandhar, the Ranveer Singh-starrer spy film. One user wrote:
“#ALPHA Is Opposite Of DHURANDAR. Will Not Leave Spoilers But Makers Ae Kya Tha. 20 Saal Tak Kisi Ko Kaise Pata Nahi Chala ? Kuch Bhi”
Another user said:
“The first major casualty of the post-Dhurandhar era is #Alpha. #Dhurandhar made the impossible feel believable. Alpha somehow makes even forced realism look fake.”
Several fans expressed franchise fatigue with the YRF Spy Universe. One user wrote:
“After Pathaan & War 2, #Alpha is another letdown. #SalmanKhan ‘s Tiger built the Spy Universe & will always remain its original & definitive spy. It’s disheartening to see such an iconic legacy lose its essence.”
What Alpha Is About
Alpha follows Sita (Alia Bhatt) , an elite assassin raised by Bobby Deol’s character Fateh Singh. She joins forces with another agent played by Sharvari, who reveals the true intent behind her father’s Alpha mission — a plan driven by revenge against India.
The film also features Anil Kapoor as RAW chief Vikram and Hrithik Roshan reprising his role as Kabir from War. The movie introduces Alia Bhatt as the franchise’s first female spy.
Box Office Expectations for Opening Day
Based on morning trends, the film is currently estimated to collect around Rs 7 crore on Day 1. However, the final number will depend on the growth in afternoon, evening, and night shows, along with spot bookings.
Industry tracker Sacnilk reported that on Day 1, Alpha is expected to run across 4,033 shows with projected collections. The film was made on a reported budget of Rs 100 crore and is produced by Aditya Chopra under the Yash Raj Films banner.
Also Read:
CBFC Certification and Release Details
Alpha received a UA 16+ certificate from the Central Board of Film Certification. The film runs for 140 minutes. Some stabbing visuals and expletives were removed during the certification process.
The movie is set to release worldwide exclusively in theatres on July 3, 2026. It will release alongside Huma Qureshi’s Baby Do Die Do, but trade experts believe both films cater to different audience segments.
Also Read: Indian Women Cinematographers Collective Rejects Pratik Shah Apology, Calls It ‘Job Application’
For more entertainment news and updates on Bollywood releases, box office collections, and movie reviews, stay connected with VvipTimes for the latest stories from the world of cinema.
