Back-to-back blockbusters led by Sunny Deol and Ranveer Singh have reignited box office momentum, prompting industry voices to declare that Bollywood’s big-screen magic is firmly back.
Our Bureau
Mumbai
Bollywood is enjoying a rare and emphatic moment of resurgence, powered by the thunderous box office runs of Border 2 and Dhurandhar, two films that have not only shattered records but also restored confidence in the theatrical business. Filmmaker Karan Johar summed up the industry mood when he declared that the success of these films proves “Bollywood is back,” dismissing sceptics as recent releases continue to strike a chord with audiences across markets.
Taking to his Instagram stories, Johar celebrated the back-to-back mega hits, stressing that emotional storytelling remains the industry’s strongest currency. “The mega success of the two recent back to back mega Hindi film successes prove one thing… Bollywood is back! Naysayers can fly a kite,” he wrote, adding that films that connect with audiences will always “cross borders of excellence.”
At the heart of this revival is Border 2, the Anurag Singh-directed war drama inspired by the 1971 India-Pakistan War. Featuring Sunny Deol, Varun Dhawan, Diljit Dosanjh and Ahan Shetty, the film opened in theatres on January 23 and has since delivered one of the biggest openings in recent times. According to trade analyst Taran Adarsh, the film collected Rs 32.10 crore net on its opening day and quickly built unstoppable momentum despite weather-related disruptions in parts of North India.
Within just six days of release, Border 2 crossed the Rs 200 crore mark, with its total India net box office collection standing at Rs 231.83 crore by the end of its first week. The film has performed exceptionally well in mass circuits and heartland markets, while urban centres have shown steady growth driven by strong word of mouth. Even the post-holiday working-day slowdown failed to dent its overall run, with industry observers expecting further gains over subsequent weekends despite competition from new releases.
Sunny Deol, basking in the film’s success, reached out to fans through a heartfelt video shared on social media. Echoing his legendary father Dharmendra’s signature sign-off, Deol ended the clip with “Love you all,” striking an emotional chord with audiences. Shot against the backdrop of scenic mountains, reportedly in Manali, the message reinforced the actor’s enduring connect with fans and nostalgia-driven appeal. For many, Border 2 marks Sunny Deol’s triumphant return in uniform, a role that has long been synonymous with his on-screen persona.
Running parallel to Border 2’s theatrical dominance is the phenomenal success story of Dhurandhar, starring Ranveer Singh and Akshaye Khanna. Directed by Aditya Dhar, the film recently completed 50 days in theatres, a milestone increasingly rare in today’s fast-churn release environment. In a historic achievement, Dhurandhar surpassed Pushpa 2: The Rule to become the highest-grossing Hindi film of all time, firmly rewriting box office benchmarks.
The film’s journey has now entered a new phase with its digital premiere on Netflix, where it began streaming globally at midnight on Friday. Available not only in Hindi but also in Tamil and Telugu, Dhurandhar is poised to reach audiences across linguistic and geographic boundaries. Netflix India’s VP of Content, Monika Shergill, described the film as a “true pop-culture moment,” noting that its scale, ambition and ensemble performances have made it one of the most anticipated streaming releases.
Director Aditya Dhar reflected on the film’s theatrical run as “deeply humbling,” crediting audiences for embracing its story, characters and cinematic scale. He said the Netflix release marks a new chapter for the film, allowing viewers worldwide to discover and revisit it at their own pace. Producer Jyoti Deshpande of Jio Studios echoed similar sentiments, calling Dhurandhar a milestone that showcased India’s command over cinematic craft and bold storytelling that transcends language and geography.
Featuring an ensemble cast including Sanjay Dutt, Arjun Rampal and R. Madhavan alongside Ranveer Singh and Akshaye Khanna, Dhurandhar has also been conceived as a two-part franchise, with the sequel scheduled for release on March 19, 2026. Industry insiders see the franchise potential as further evidence of audience appetite for large-scale, ambitious narratives.
Together, the twin successes of Border 2 and Dhurandhar signal more than just strong box office numbers. They underline a broader shift in audience sentiment, reaffirming faith in theatrical experiences driven by scale, emotion and star power. For an industry that has weathered prolonged uncertainty, these films offer a timely reminder that when storytelling resonates, Bollywood’s big-screen pull remains as powerful as ever.
