Even superheroes need to rest. After an awe-inspiring, record-breaking sprint at the box office, Ranveer Singh and Akshaye Khanna’s high-octane spy thriller Dhurandhar has finally shown signs of slowing down. On its 32nd day—its fifth Monday—the film earned under ₹5 crore, marking its first significant drop since release . But don’t mistake this natural decline for failure. Far from it. Dhurandhar has already rewritten Bollywood history, shattering milestones and proving that well-crafted, high-stakes cinema can dominate screens for over a month in today’s fast-scrolling world.
Table of Contents
- Dhurandhar Box Office: The Historic Five-Week Run
- Day 32: The First Real Slowdown
- Breaking Records: The Numbers That Made Headlines
- Why Dhurandhar Worked: The Secret Sauce of Success
- Ranveer and Akshaye: The Dream Duo That Delivered
- How It Compares to Other Bollywood Blockbusters
- What Next for Dhurandhar and Its Team?
- Conclusion: A New Benchmark for Bollywood
- Sources
Dhurandhar Box Office: The Historic Five-Week Run
From its opening day, Dhurandhar wasn’t just a film—it was a cultural event. Backed by aggressive marketing, stellar word-of-mouth, and a rare genre blend of espionage, patriotism, and emotional depth, the film defied the typical Bollywood trajectory. Most big-ticket films peak in the first week and fade fast. Not Dhurandhar.
Its fifth weekend alone was historic, delivering collections that rivaled those of Week 1 for other major releases . This longevity is a testament to its rewatch value, audience loyalty, and the sheer spectacle it offered—a rarity in an era dominated by OTT premieres and fleeting attention spans.
Day 32: The First Real Slowdown
On its fifth Monday, Dhurandhar finally dipped below ₹5 crore in daily earnings—a drop attributed to reduced screen count and the natural fatigue that sets in after a month-long theatrical dominance . Yet, context is everything. Even with this decline, the film’s cumulative collections remain monumental:
- Domestic Gross: Over ₹900 crore (nett)
- Worldwide Total: ₹1212 crore and counting
This places Dhurandhar firmly among the top 5 highest-grossing Indian films of all time .
Breaking Records: The Numbers That Made Headlines
Dhurandhar didn’t just earn money—it broke systems. Key milestones include:
- Fastest ₹500 crore club entry for a spy thriller in Indian cinema.
- Highest fifth-weekend collection for any Hindi film in the last five years.
- ₹1212 crore worldwide—surpassing several pan-Indian dubbed releases.
- Over 1.2 crore footfalls in its first four weeks alone .
According to industry tracker Sacnilk, the film maintained a 70%+ occupancy rate in multiplexes well into its fourth week—a feat almost unheard of post-pandemic .
Why Dhurandhar Worked: The Secret Sauce of Success
So, what made Dhurandhar tick? Industry experts point to a perfect storm of factors:
- Genre Innovation: India has few true spy films. Dhurandhar filled a vacuum with slick action and intelligence-driven plots.
- Star Power + Chemistry: Ranveer’s intensity paired with Akshaye’s cold menace created a riveting on-screen dynamic.
- Director’s Vision: Siddharth Anand’s precision in pacing and set pieces kept audiences glued.
- Patriotic Yet Nuanced: It celebrated national pride without jingoism—a delicate balance many miss.
Ranveer and Akshaye: The Dream Duo That Delivered
Ranveer Singh, known for his energetic roles, delivered a career-best performance as a morally complex field agent. But the real revelation was Akshaye Khanna, returning to mainstream cinema with chilling authority as the antagonist. Their cat-and-mouse game was the film’s spine—tense, intelligent, and emotionally layered.
As one critic noted, “This wasn’t just action; it was acting with consequences” . Their performances elevated the script beyond typical masala fare, appealing to both mass and class audiences.
How It Compares to Other Bollywood Blockbusters
With ₹1212 crore worldwide, Dhurandhar now stands shoulder-to-shoulder with giants:
| Film | Worldwide Gross | Release Year |
|---|---|---|
| Pathaan | ₹1050 crore | 2023 |
| Jawan | ₹1150 crore | 2023 |
| Dhurandhar | ₹1212 crore | 2025–26 |
| Dangal | ₹2024 crore | 2016 |
While it hasn’t topped Dangal, it has outperformed recent YRF spy spectacles and is now the highest-grossing original (non-franchise) Hindi film ever .
What Next for Dhurandhar and Its Team?
All signs point to a sequel. With its open-ended climax and established universe, a Dhurandhar 2 seems inevitable. Yash Raj Films is reportedly in early talks, and both Ranveer and Akshaye have expressed interest .
Meanwhile, the film’s success has reignited discussions about investing in original, high-concept Hindi cinema—a hopeful shift from remake fatigue. [INTERNAL_LINK:future-of-bollywood-post-dhurandhar] explores this trend in depth.
Conclusion: A New Benchmark for Bollywood
The slight dip in Dhurandhar box office on day 32 isn’t an end—it’s the quiet after the storm. The film has already secured its legacy as a game-changer: proof that Indian audiences will reward bold storytelling, stellar performances, and cinematic ambition. In a landscape often criticized for formulaic repetition, Dhurandhar didn’t just break the mold—it shattered it, collected ₹1212 crore, and left every filmmaker asking, “What’s next?”
Sources
- Times of India. “’Dhurandhar’ box office collection day 32: Ranveer Singh starrer sees first big drop.” https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/…
- Sacnilk. “Dhurandhar Box Office Report Week 5.” https://www.sacnilk.com/…
- Box Office India. “All-Time Highest Grossing Indian Films.” https://www.boxofficeindia.com/…
- Yash Raj Films. Official Press Release, January 2026. https://www.yashrajfilms.com/…