Aditya Dhar’s spy-action epic starring Ranveer Singh has become the highest-grossing Hindi film ever, even as it sparks global acclaim and geopolitical controversy
Our Bureau
Mumbai
In a year that began with cautious optimism for Bollywood, Dhurandhar has delivered an ending no one could have scripted better. Directed by Aditya Dhar and led by Ranveer Singh, the spy-action thriller has not only shattered box office records but also reset the ceiling for what a Hindi film can achieve in India. Crossing the ₹800-crore mark in net domestic collections within a month of its release, Dhurandhar has emerged as the highest-grossing Hindi film of all time, overtaking Pushpa 2: The Rule in its fifth week with collections touching ₹831.40 crore—and still counting.
Trade analysts describe the achievement as historic. Veteran box office tracker Taran Adarsh called it “the biggest moment in the history of the Hindi film business,” noting that surpassing Pushpa 2’s lifetime numbers once seemed unthinkable. Yet Dhurandhar did exactly that, propelled by extraordinary word-of-mouth, sustained footfalls, and a rare blend of scale, storytelling, and star power.
Released as a high-octane spy thriller, Dhurandhar arrived with expectations riding high on Aditya Dhar’s reputation following Uri: The Surgical Strike. But few anticipated the ferocity with which the film would dominate the box office week after week. Unlike many big-ticket releases that peak early and taper off, Dhurandhar displayed remarkable staying power, recording robust collections well into its fourth and fifth weeks. It even became the first Hindi film to cross ₹100 crore in its fourth week, underscoring the depth of audience engagement.
Much of the film’s success has been attributed to its ensemble cast and commanding performances. Ranveer Singh anchors the film with what many critics have described as one of the most intense roles of his career. Supporting him is a formidable lineup—Akshaye Khanna, Sanjay Dutt, Arjun Rampal, and R Madhavan—each bringing weight and gravitas to the narrative. Madhavan’s portrayal of Indian spymaster Sanyal, in particular, has drawn widespread acclaim for its layered intensity.
Praise for Dhurandhar has poured in from across the Indian film industry and beyond. Actor couple Suriya and Jyotika publicly hailed the film as a “masterpiece,” with Suriya praising Dhar’s craft and singling out the performances of Ranveer Singh, Akshaye Khanna, and Madhavan. Their endorsement triggered a gracious exchange on social media, with Madhavan responding emotionally and director Dhar expressing deep gratitude for the encouragement. Veteran filmmaker Priyadarshan, who mentored Dhar early in his career, also joined the chorus, calling Dhar’s success one of his greatest joys and extending heartfelt wishes for Dhurandhar 2.
The film’s producers, Jio Studios and Yash Raj Films, marked the milestone with a statement that framed Dhurandhar as more than just a blockbuster. “It’s a milestone moment in Indian cinema that will be remembered forever,” YRF said, praising Dhar’s clarity of vision and fearless storytelling. Ranveer Singh responded with a simple yet emotional note to YRF, calling it his “beloved alma mater” and expressing pride in making the studio proud.
Yet even as Dhurandhar has united audiences at home, it has triggered controversy abroad. The Indian Motion Picture Producers’ Association (IMPPA) has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking government intervention after the film was reportedly banned in several Middle Eastern countries, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, and Kuwait. Describing the ban as “unilateral and uncalled for,” IMPPA argued that it suppresses freedom of expression, particularly for a film that has received certification from India’s Central Board of Film Certification and emerged as one of the country’s biggest cinematic successes.
The association urged the Indian government to raise the matter diplomatically, noting India’s strong economic and cultural ties with the Gulf region. While the controversy has not affected the film’s domestic run, it has added a geopolitical layer to Dhurandhar’s story—turning it into not just a commercial phenomenon, but a talking point in international cultural discourse.
From an industry perspective, Dhurandhar’s success offers a powerful signal for Bollywood. It demonstrates that audiences are willing to embrace big-scale, original Hindi films when backed by strong storytelling and technical finesse. At a time when the industry has often been accused of playing safe, Dhurandhar’s audacity—and its rewards—stand out sharply.
With the film conceived as a two-part franchise, anticipation for Dhurandhar 2, slated for an Eid 2026 release, is already sky-high. Expectations will be immense, but if the first instalment is any indication, Aditya Dhar and his team have laid the foundation for a franchise that could define Hindi cinema for years to come.
For now, Dhurandhar stands as a landmark—a film that didn’t just break records, but redrew the map of Bollywood’s box office ambitions.
