YRF pushes Alia Bhatt-Sharvari's Alpha to dodge box office clash with Salman Khan’s Battle of Galwan

Yash Raj Films has once again revised the release plan for its upcoming spy thriller Alpha, ensuring a smooth theatrical runway for the film. Starring Alia Bhatt, Sharvari and Bobby Deol, the film’s date has been deferred to avoid a box-office face-off with Salman Khan’s much-anticipated war drama Battle of Galwan, slated for April 17, 2026.

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April 2026 No Longer the Target

Originally earmarked for an April 2026 release, Alpha will now arrive later. Trade analyst Taran Adarsh confirmed that the makers chose to step away from the crowded release window rather than risk a high-profile clash.

“#BreakingNews... ALPHA AVOIDS CLASH WITH BATTLE OF GALWAN - YRF TO DECIDE ON A NEW DATE... #AdityaChopra steps aside for #SalmanKhan, moving Alpha from its previously announced release date of April 17, 2026, to avoid a direct clash with BattleOfGalwan. #YRF had locked April 17, 2026, for Alpha, but the makers will now announce a new release date after assessing the theatrical release calendar over the next couple of months,” he posted on X (formerly Twitter).

#BreakingNews... 'ALPHA' AVOIDS CLASH WITH 'BATTLE OF GALWAN' – YRF TO DECIDE ON NEW DATE... #AdityaChopra steps aside for #SalmanKhan, moving #Alpha from its earlier announced release date of 17 April 2026 to avoid a direct clash with #BattleOfGalwan.#YRF had locked 17 April… pic.twitter.com/BF3QElleC2

— taran adarsh (@taran_adarsh) December 27, 2025

Second Delay, Calculated Call

This marks the film’s second postponement. Alpha was earlier scheduled for a Christmas 2025 release but was pushed due to extended post-production requirements, particularly detailed visual effects work. With no fresh date announced yet, the film is now expected to hit cinemas in the latter half of 2026.

Inside Alpha: A New Chapter Begins

Directed by Shiv Rawail, Alpha is the sixth instalment in the expanding YRF Spy Universe, which already boasts franchises like Tiger, War, and Pathaan. The project was teased via a post-credits sequence in War 2, building early intrigue. Alpha also marks YRF’s first female-led spy thriller- an ambitious step in the studio’s blockbuster legacy.

Must Read: Shah Rukh Khan aka Pathaan and Salman Khan aka Tiger in Alia Bhatt and Sharvari’s Alpha?

Speculation has been rife about cameo appearances by Salman Khan’s Tiger, Hrithik Roshan’s Kabir, and Shah Rukh Khan’s Pathaan in Alpha. However, there has been no official confirmation to substantiate these reports.