"Dhurandhar Box Office Collection: How Ranveer Singh's Film Became Bollywood's ₹880 Crore Blockbuster"

Dhurandhar has shattered all box office records, collecting ₹880+ crore and becoming Bollywood's highest-grossing Hindi film ever. Discover how Ranveer Singh's spy thriller conquered Indian cinema, complete analysis of box office numbers, cast performances, critical reception, and what to expect from Part 2 releasing March 2026.

# Dhurandhar: How Ranveer Singh's Spy Thriller Became Bollywood's Biggest Blockbuster Ever

The Indian box office has witnessed a historic phenomenon. Ranveer Singh's spy thriller **Dhurandhar** has shattered every record, becoming the highest-grossing Hindi film of all time with collections surpassing ₹880 crore in India alone. What started as an ambitious spy drama has turned into a cultural moment that's redefining Bollywood's potential at the box office.

The Numbers That Broke All Records

As of January 2026, Dhurandhar continues its dream run even after 47 days in theaters. The film has achieved what many thought impossible in the current market:

**India Box Office**: ₹880+ crore net (still counting)

**Worldwide Gross**: ₹1,222+ crore

**Overseas Collection**: ₹186.9 crore ($20.8 million)

**Budget**: Estimated ₹250-300 crore

The film has become the biggest Indian movie in Canada and Australia, while topping the Bollywood charts in the United States. It's now chasing RRR's worldwide collection of ₹1,230 crore and is expected to surpass it within days.

What makes these numbers even more remarkable? The film achieved this without a release in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, which are typically major revenue contributors for Bollywood blockbusters.

What Is Dhurandhar About?

Directed by Aditya Dhar (of *Uri: The Surgical Strike* fame), Dhurandhar is a gritty spy thriller inspired by real-life covert operations. The film follows Hamza Ali Mazari, an undercover Indian intelligence agent played by Ranveer Singh, who infiltrates the criminal underworld of Karachi's notorious Lyari district in Pakistan.

The story spans over a decade of dangerous espionage, where Hamza embeds himself deep within the mafia network, gaining trust while sending crucial intelligence back to India. The plot loosely connects several real-life geopolitical events, including the 1999 IC-814 hijacking, the 2001 Indian Parliament attack, and the 2008 Mumbai attacks.

The narrative is divided into eight chapters with intriguing titles like "Stranger in the Land of Shadows," "The Bastard King of Lyari," and "Et Tu Brutus," each representing different phases of this dangerous mission.

The Powerhouse Cast

Dhurandhar boasts an ensemble cast that reads like a who's who of Indian cinema:

**Ranveer Singh** as Hamza Ali Mazari (undercover agent)

**Akshaye Khanna** as Rehman Dakait (the scene-stealer)

**R. Madhavan** as Ajay Sanyal (Intelligence Bureau Chief)

**Sanjay Dutt** as SP Chaudhary Aslam

**Arjun Rampal** as Major Iqbal (ISI officer)

**Sara Arjun** as Hamza's love interest

**Rakesh Bedi** in a memorable supporting role

Critics and audiences alike have praised Akshaye Khanna's performance as one of the film's highlights. His portrayal of Rehman Dakait has been called "mind-blowing" with impeccable swag and dialogue delivery.

Why Dhurandhar Worked When Others Failed

1. Ranveer Singh's Career-Defining Performance

This is not the Ranveer Singh audiences are used to seeing. Gone is the flamboyant energy from films like *Gully Boy* or *Rocky Aur Rani*. Here, Ranveer delivers a restrained, brooding performance that showcases his dramatic range. His character development across the 214-minute runtime has been called "amazing to watch," with many considering this his best work since *Padmaavat*.

2. The Runtime That Actually Works

At 3 hours and 34 minutes, Dhurandhar is one of the longest Bollywood films ever made. Yet, audiences have consistently reported that it doesn't feel stretched. The screenplay keeps viewers engaged with relentless action, strategic planning sequences, and layered character development. As one viewer put it: "You'll forget about the popcorn on your lap."

3. Technical Excellence

The film's technical aspects have been universally praised:

**Cinematography by Vikash Nowlakha**: Dark, gritty visuals that capture Karachi's dangerous underbelly

**Background Score by Sashwat Sachdev**: Pulsating music that amplifies tension

**Direction by Aditya Dhar**: Tight storytelling with minimal romantic diversions

**Editing by Shivkumar V Panicker**: Sharp cuts that maintain pace

4. Real-World Resonance

The film's connection to actual geopolitical events gives it weight. Aditya Raj Kaul, NDTV's senior executive editor for national security, served as the research consultant, lending authenticity to the spy operations depicted on screen.

5. The Two-Part Strategy

Dhurandhar ends on a cliffhanger, with Part 2 scheduled for March 19, 2026 (Eid). This Marvel-style approach has kept audience anticipation high. The sequel will release in Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam, significantly expanding its reach.

Critical Reception: Mixed But Respectful

Dhurandhar has received mixed reviews from critics, holding a 42% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. However, audience reception tells a different story, with an impressive 8.5 rating on IMDb.

The Praise:

Powerful performances across the board

High production values and authentic world-building

Intense action sequences and espionage tactics

Career-best work from Ranveer Singh

The Criticism:

Runtime could be tighter in places

Accused of being propaganda by some critics

Minimal character development for the protagonist

Violence occasionally feels excessive

The Times of India gave it 3.5/5 stars, calling it a "power-packed Karachi mafia thriller" with "subdued yet scorching" performances. Filmfare also rated it 3.5/5, praising it as a film that "refuses to be contained by the grammar of a conventional spy thriller."

The Phenomenon Beyond Box Office

Breaking Records Nobody Expected

**Seventh Weekend**: Collected ₹7.50 crore, nearly matching Stree 2's seventh-week record

**Longest Run**: Maintained housefull shows even after a month

**Weekday Performance**: Shows minimal drops, indicating strong word-of-mouth

The Netflix Deal

Netflix acquired the digital streaming rights for both parts for a reported ₹130-285 crore. The film is scheduled to stream from January 30, 2026, though its theatrical run is expected to continue alongside.

The Pakistan Paradox

Despite being banned in Pakistan (where Indian films have been prohibited since 2019), Dhurandhar reportedly received 2 million pirated downloads within a week, becoming the most pirated film in the country. This unofficial viewership speaks to the film's cross-border appeal.

What's Next: Dhurandhar 2

With Part 1's massive success, expectations for the sequel are sky-high. Here's what we know:

**Release Date**: March 19, 2026 (Eid)

**Box Office Clash**: Will compete with Yash's *Toxic* and *Dhamaal 4*

**Pan-India Release**: Five languages (Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam)

**Target**: Cross the ₹800 crore mark that Part 1 narrowly missed

The sequel will continue from the cliffhanger ending and is currently in post-production. Given the first film's trajectory, industry experts predict it could achieve even higher numbers with its expanded regional release.

The Bigger Picture: What Dhurandhar Means for Bollywood

Dhurandhar's success represents several important shifts in Indian cinema:

**Content Over Stars**: While Ranveer Singh is undoubtedly a draw, the film's success stems from its story and execution, not just star power.

**Audience Patience for Long Films**: If the content justifies it, audiences are willing to sit through 3.5-hour films.

**Spy Thrillers Work**: After *Uri*, *Pathaan*, and now *Dhurandhar*, the genre has proven its box office viability.

**North India Dominance**: The film performed exceptionally well in Delhi-UP, East Punjab, and Mysore circuits, showing strong regional appeal.

**Premium Pricing Acceptance**: With average ticket prices rising 20% in 2025, audiences are willing to pay more for event cinema.

Final Verdict: Worth the Hype?

If you're a fan of intense spy thrillers with high-stakes drama, Dhurandhar delivers. It's not a perfect film—the runtime tests patience in places, and the jingoism may not appeal to everyone. However, it succeeds where it matters most: creating an immersive world where danger lurks around every corner, and every character feels lived-in.

Ranveer Singh proves he's more than just an energetic performer; he can carry a serious, brooding role with gravitas. Akshaye Khanna reminds us why he's one of Bollywood's finest character actors. And Aditya Dhar establishes himself as a director who can handle large-scale productions without losing sight of storytelling.

**Rating**: 4/5

**Bottom Line**: Dhurandhar is a bold, ambitious spy thriller that justifies its epic length with gripping storytelling and powerhouse performances. It's a must-watch in theaters before it moves to streaming, and Part 2 can't come soon enough.

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Quick Facts

| **Aspect** | **Details** |

|------------|-------------|

| **Release Date** | December 5, 2025 |

| **Director** | Aditya Dhar |

| **Runtime** | 214 minutes (3h 34m) |

| **Genre** | Spy Thriller, Action |

| **Language** | Hindi |

| **Certificate** | A (Adults Only) |

| **Production** | Jio Studios, B62 Studios |

| **Sequel** | March 19, 2026 |

Where to Watch

**Theaters**: Still running nationwide (check local listings)

**OTT**: Netflix (from January 30, 2026)

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*Have you watched Dhurandhar? What did you think of Ranveer Singh's performance? Share your thoughts in the comments below!*