Alia Bhatt’s ‘Alpha’ release postponed to avoid clash with Salman Khan’s ‘Battle of Galwan’

The makers of “Alpha”, starring Alia Bhatt and Sharvari Wagh, have officially announced a new release date for the upcoming spy thriller, ending months of speculation about the film’s theatrical plans.

Reports had earlier suggested that the film might be postponed to avoid a direct box-office clash with “Battle of Galwan”, headlined by Salman Khan. There were also rumours that the project could bypass theatres and premiere directly on a streaming platform. However, the latest update confirms that “Alpha” will release in cinemas.

The producers recently unveiled a new poster and confirmed that the film will now arrive in theatres on July 10, 2026. Bhatt also shared the announcement on Instagram, writing, “#ALPHA 10.07.2026 See you in cinemas.”

The release schedule for the film has changed several times. It was initially planned for a Christmas 2025 debut before being shifted to April 17, 2026. That date, however, coincided with the release of “Battle of Galwan”, prompting the makers to move the film again to avoid a major box-office clash.

Directed by Shiv Rawail, “Alpha” is part of the YRF Spy Universe, which includes blockbuster titles such as “War”, “Pathaan” and the “Tiger” series. The film is expected to be the sixth instalment in the franchise and was first teased through a brief post-credits appearance in “War 2” earlier this year.

Speaking about the project at the Red Sea Film Festival last year, Bhatt acknowledged the challenge of leading a major action film in a franchise largely dominated by male stars. “Alpha is the first female-led action film in the YRF universe, so that itself carries a certain risk because audiences have mostly seen male-led stories in this space,” she said.

Apart from Bhatt and Wagh, the film also features Bobby Deol and Anil Kapoor in significant roles.

With the new date confirmed, “Alpha” is now slated for a theatrical release on July 10, 2026, and is expected to be one of Bollywood’s major releases of the year.