What began as a controversial and polarising release has now turned into one of the biggest box office success stories in Indian cinema. Dhurandhar, starring Ranveer Singh, has defied every conventional expectation to emerge as the highest grossing film of the year within just 17 days of its release. Despite carrying an A certificate and facing criticism from sections of audiences who labelled it as propaganda-driven, the film has gone on to create a sensational theatrical run that few could have predicted.
Released on December 5, Dhurandhar is a spy thriller infused with strong patriotic undertones. While the initial response was mixed, the film quickly found its audience, largely driven by intense performances, gripping storytelling, and strong word of mouth. In less than three weeks, it has surpassed the lifetime collections of major box office performers like Chhaava and Kantara Chapter 1 to claim the top spot at the box office for the year.
According to official figures shared by the makers, Dhurandhar has collected a staggering 870 crore gross worldwide by the end of its 17th day. This achievement is particularly remarkable given its adult-only certification, making it the closest an A-rated Indian film has come to entering the elite 1000 crore club. Trade analysts are now confident that the historic milestone is only days away.
Dhurandhar opened to decent numbers but showed explosive growth over its first weekend, setting the stage for an extraordinary run. The film ended its first week with a solid 218 crore gross, driven by increasing footfalls and repeat audiences. Instead of slowing down, the momentum intensified in the second week, with the film adding an impressive 261.5 crore to its total, surprising even seasoned trade experts.
The third weekend turned out to be a defining phase for the film. Even with the release of Hollywood spectacle Avatar 3, Dhurandhar showed no signs of fatigue. It surged past the 800 crore mark, stunning box office watchers. On the most recent Sunday alone, the film reportedly collected around 40 crore gross, officially overtaking Kantara Chapter 1’s lifetime numbers and cementing its position as the year’s biggest grosser.
With Christmas holidays and New Year celebrations around the corner, the film is expected to witness another surge in collections. The festive season traditionally boosts theatrical business, and Dhurandhar is well positioned to capitalise on this advantage. Trade circles believe it will comfortably breach the 1000 crore mark, setting an unprecedented benchmark for A-rated Indian films.
Directed by Aditya Dhar, the film’s success has not only rewritten box office norms but also laid a strong foundation for its already-discussed second part. With anticipation now sky-high, the sequel is expected to generate massive buzz well ahead of its release. Dhurandhar’s phenomenal run stands as a testament to the power of strong content and audience-driven success, proving once again that initial controversy does not necessarily limit a film’s destiny at the box office.
