For over five weeks, Dhurandhar reigned supreme at the Indian box office. Ranveer Singh’s high-octane spy thriller wasn’t just a hit—it was a cultural phenomenon, shattering records and nearing the elusive ₹800 crore mark in domestic collections alone, with a staggering global haul exceeding ₹1,200 crore . But every king eventually faces a challenger. Enter Prabhas’s The Raja Saab, a pan-Indian spectacle that has not only arrived with massive hype but has already begun dethroning the reigning champion.
On its 37th day (a Saturday), Dhurandhar minted ₹5.75 crore—a testament to its enduring appeal, yet a clear signal that its dominance is waning in the face of fierce new competition . This shift isn’t just about numbers; it’s a pivotal moment in the ongoing narrative of Bollywood versus Tollywood, star power, and audience fatigue. Let’s break down what’s happening at the box office and what it means for the future of both films.
Table of Contents
- Dhurandhar Box Office: Day 37 Performance
- The Raja Saab Effect: How Prabhas Changed the Game
- Comparing the Giants: Dhurandhar vs. Raja Saab
- Why Dhurandhar Is Still a Historic Success
- What This Means for Bollywood and Tollywood
- Conclusion: A Passing of the Torch?
- Sources
Dhurandhar Box Office: Day 37 Performance
Earning ₹5.75 crore on a Saturday in its sixth week is an extraordinary feat by any standard. Most films vanish from theaters by this point. Yet, Dhurandhar continues to draw crowds, thanks to its gripping narrative, Ranveer Singh’s powerhouse performance, and strong word-of-mouth .
However, context is everything. This figure represents a noticeable drop from its previous weekend collections. The reason? Screen real estate. With the arrival of The Raja Saab, multiplexes and single screens alike have drastically reduced showtimes for Dhurandhar to accommodate the new blockbuster. Fewer shows naturally mean lower earnings, even if the occupancy rate per show remains high.
The Raja Saab Effect: How Prabhas Changed the Game
Prabhas, riding high on the legacy of the Baahubali franchise, returned with The Raja Saab—a grand-scale action drama backed by a massive marketing blitz and a strategic pan-India release. Early reports suggest the film opened to record-breaking numbers, significantly outperforming Dhurandhar’s opening days in terms of daily gross .
The film’s success isn’t just a win for Prabhas; it’s a validation of the pan-Indian film model that bypasses traditional regional boundaries. Released simultaneously in Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, and other languages, The Raja Saab captured audiences across the country from day one, creating a nationwide buzz that Dhurandhar, despite its success, was primarily a Hindi-centric phenomenon.
Comparing the Giants: Dhurandhar vs. Raja Saab
While it’s still early to declare a long-term winner, a direct comparison highlights the contrasting strengths of both films:
- Release Strategy: Dhurandhar was a Bollywood-first release with dubbed versions later. The Raja Saab was designed as a pan-Indian event from the start.
- Genre Appeal: Dhurandhar offered a sleek, modern spy thriller. The Raja Saab delivers larger-than-life action and mythological undertones, a proven formula for mass appeal.
- Star Power: Ranveer Singh commands immense respect in the Hindi belt. Prabhas has a dedicated, almost fanatical following across South India and a growing national fanbase.
Why Dhurandhar Is Still a Historic Success
Let’s not lose sight of the forest for the trees. Even as The Raja Saab grabs headlines, Dhurandhar’s achievement is monumental. Nearing ₹800 crore domestically places it among the highest-grossing Indian films of all time . Its global total of over ₹1,200 crore is a landmark for a non-franchise, original spy thriller in the Indian context.
The film’s success has proven that audiences are hungry for well-made, high-concept genre films beyond the usual romantic or family dramas. It has also cemented Ranveer Singh’s status as one of the few actors who can open a film on sheer star power and deliver a critical and commercial smash. [INTERNAL_LINK:ranveer-singh-career-milestones] explores his journey to this point.
What This Means for Bollywood and Tollywood
This box office tussle is more than a battle between two movies; it’s symbolic of a larger industry shift. Tollywood (Telugu cinema) has been on a remarkable upswing, producing high-budget, VFX-driven spectacles that resonate with a national audience. Bollywood, while still a powerhouse, is facing increased competition from these pan-Indian releases that often boast bigger budgets and wider initial footprints.
The lesson for Hindi filmmakers is clear: to compete on the biggest stage, they must think beyond their traditional market. The era of a film being a “Bollywood hit” is giving way to the demand for an “Indian cinema hit.”
Conclusion: A Passing of the Torch?
The Dhurandhar box office story is far from over. While its daily collections may now be overshadowed by The Raja Saab, its legacy as a record-breaking, trendsetting film is secure. The arrival of Prabhas’s juggernaut doesn’t diminish Dhurandhar’s success; instead, it elevates the entire industry, pushing the boundaries of what an Indian film can achieve. For audiences, it’s a win-win: two massive films offering different kinds of cinematic thrills. The real question now is whether Dhurandhar can hold on long enough to cross that magical ₹800 crore mark before its theatrical run ends.
Sources
- Day 37 box office collection for Dhurandhar reported as ₹5.75 crore .
- Information on The Raja Saab’s opening performance and its impact on screen allocation .
- Total domestic and worldwide collections for Dhurandhar .
- [INTERNAL_LINK:pan-indian-cinema-rise]
- Sacnilk – Official Box Office Tracking