In a rare break from tradition, Canadian theatres — including those operated by Cineplex — introduced a 15-minute intermission for the blockbuster film Dhurandhar 2, marking an unusual move in North American cinema culture.
The film, starring Ranveer Singh alongside Arjun Rampal, R. Madhavan, and Sanjay Dutt, runs for an extensive 235 minutes — nearly four hours — prompting theatres to adapt for audience comfort.
Unlike India, where intermissions are standard practice, Canadian cinemas typically screen films without breaks. However, the sheer length of Dhurandhar 2 led to widespread audience demand for a pause, especially for basic needs like refreshments and restroom breaks.
A Canadian viewer shared their surprise on social media, noting they had never experienced an intermission at a Cineplex theatre in over two decades. The unexpected break was reportedly met with cheers from audiences, highlighting how significant the change felt.
Interestingly, some moviegoers pointed out that this isn’t entirely unprecedented. Intermissions were more common in Canadian theatres in the 1990s but were phased out over time. More recently, the growing popularity of long-format Indian films — including South Indian blockbusters — appears to be influencing exhibition practices again.
Despite minor inconsistencies across locations — with some viewers reporting no intermission — the move reflects a shift in how global cinema trends are impacting North American viewing experiences.
Meanwhile, Dhurandhar 2 continues its box office dominance. The film has already grossed over ₹575 crore in India and more than ₹231 crore overseas, bringing its worldwide total close to ₹1,000 crore — reinforcing its status as a global blockbuster.
The success of the film, combined with audience-driven changes like intermissions, signals the rising influence of Indian cinema in international markets, including Canada.