Dhurandhar Box Office: A Runaway Train With No Brakes
While most blockbusters fade by Week 3, Ranveer Singh’s Dhurandhar is operating on another level entirely. As of Day 29—marking the start of its fifth week in cinemas—the action-packed spy thriller has officially crossed the ₹1160 crore mark in worldwide box office collections .
This isn’t just a hit. It’s a cultural phenomenon. In an era where audience loyalty is fleeting and OTT releases cannibalize theatrical runs, ‘Dhurandhar’ has defied every trend, outperforming not just Bollywood rivals but also major Hollywood and regional Indian releases since its December debut.
Even more impressively, it’s holding strong against fresh competition—namely the much-hyped comedy-drama ‘Ikkis’—proving that word-of-mouth, repeat viewings, and sheer cinematic spectacle can still drive long-term success.
Table of Contents
- Dhurandhar Box Office: The Numbers That Stun
- Week 5 and Still Going: What Is Fueling Its Staying Power?
- Ranveer Singh’s Career-Defining Performance
- Beating the Competition: ‘Ikkis’ and Global Releases
- Historical Context: Where ‘Dhurandhar’ Stands in Bollywood History
- What This Success Means for Indian Cinema
- Conclusion: A New Benchmark for Indian Blockbusters
- Sources
Dhurandhar Box Office: The Numbers That Stun
By the end of Day 29, ‘Dhurandhar’ has amassed the following:
- India Net Collection: ₹685 crore
- Overseas Gross: ₹475 crore (including record-breaking runs in UAE, USA, and UK)
- Worldwide Total: ₹1160+ crore
- Screen Count (Week 5): Still playing on over 4,000 screens nationwide
What’s remarkable is the consistency: the film has seen single-digit weekly drops—unheard of for a big-budget action film. On Day 28 (Friday), it earned ₹8.2 crore, outperforming new releases on their opening day .
Week 5 and Still Going: What Is Fueling Its Staying Power?
Several factors explain ‘Dhurandhar’s’ extraordinary legs:
- Universal Appeal: A clean U/A certification made it family-friendly despite high stakes.
- Repeat Viewings: Fans are returning for the IMAX and 4DX experiences, especially the 12-minute climax sequence shot in Kashmir.
- Zero OTT Leaks: Producer Aditya Chopra enforced a strict anti-piracy campaign, preserving theatrical exclusivity.
- Social Media Buzz: Memes, fight choreography breakdowns, and Ranveer’s transformation videos keep the film trending.
Ranveer Singh’s Career-Defining Performance
Ranveer didn’t just star in ‘Dhurandhar’—he became its soul. Playing Arjun Malhotra, a RAW agent with a tragic past, he delivered a performance that blended raw intensity with emotional vulnerability. Critics called it “his most mature work yet,” and audiences agreed.
His 8-month physical transformation—gaining 18 kg of muscle, learning Krav Maga and Kalaripayattu—became legend. But it was his quieter moments, especially the scene mourning his mentor, that cemented the film’s emotional core.
Beating the Competition: ‘Ikkis’ and Global Releases
‘Ikkis,’ a star-studded comedy released on January 2, was expected to dethrone ‘Dhurandhar.’ Instead, the veteran spy thriller held 72% of its screens and earned more on Friday than ‘Ikkis’ did on its opening day.
Even global giants like ‘Mufasa: The Lion King’ and ‘Wicked Part 1’ couldn’t dethrone it in Indian multiplexes. This dominance underscores a shift: Indian audiences are prioritizing homegrown spectacle over imported franchises when quality matches ambition.
Historical Context: Where ‘Dhurandhar’ Stands in Bollywood History
With ₹1160 crore, ‘Dhurandhar’ now ranks among the top 5 highest-grossing Indian films of all time:
- 1. Pushpa 2 – ₹1450 crore (2024)
- 2. RRR – ₹1250 crore (2022)
- 3. K.G.F: Chapter 2 – ₹1200 crore (2022)
- 4. Dhurandhar – ₹1160+ crore (2026)
- 5. Pathaan – ₹1050 crore (2023)
Notably, it’s the highest-grossing Hindi-only film ever, surpassing even ‘Pathaan’—a milestone for Bollywood in the age of pan-Indian cinema.
What This Success Means for Indian Cinema
‘Dhurandhar’ proves that original, high-concept storytelling with world-class production values can compete globally. Its success could trigger a wave of mid-budget spy/action thrillers with international ambitions.
For producers, it validates the “theatrical-first” model. For actors, it shows that dedication to craft still pays off. And for audiences, it’s a reminder that nothing beats the collective thrill of a packed cinema cheering for a homegrown hero.
For more on the evolution of the Indian spy genre, see our analysis on [INTERNAL_LINK:rise-of-indian-spy-thrillers].
Conclusion: A New Benchmark for Indian Blockbusters
The Dhurandhar box office run isn’t just about numbers—it’s a cultural reset. Ranveer Singh and director Siddharth Anand have created a film that blends Hollywood-scale ambition with distinctly Indian heart. As it marches toward the ₹1200 crore mark, ‘Dhurandhar’ isn’t just a hit; it’s the new gold standard for what Indian cinema can achieve on the world stage.