Aditya Dhar’s action-packed spy thriller Dhurandhar, featuring a stellar cast including Ranveer Singh, Akshaye Khanna, Sanjay Dutt, and Arjun Rampal, has stormed the box office, grossing over ₹1,300 crore worldwide. Released on December 5, 2025, the film has not only become the highest-grossing Hindi film ever, surpassing Pushpa 2: The Rule, but also the fourth highest-grossing Indian film of all time.
The film, produced by Jio Studios and B62 Studios, follows an undercover Indian intelligence agent (Ranveer Singh), who infiltrates Karachi's criminal syndicates to dismantle a terror network targeting India. Dhurandhar's narrative draws inspiration from real geopolitical events, including the 1999 IC-814 hijacking and the 2008 Mumbai attacks.
While Dhurandhar has garnered commercial success and appreciation for its action sequences, direction, and performances, it has also faced mixed reviews and criticism. Some critics found the film's 214-minute runtime excessive, while others pointed to its blending of fiction with historical events, sparking debates about its potential propagandistic messaging.
Adding to the discourse, Jason Shah, known for his role in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Heeramandi, has voiced his disapproval of the film's violence. In an interview with The Indian Express, Shah expressed shock at the audience's enjoyment of the violence depicted in Dhurandhar, questioning the current cinematic landscape's focus on violence and its potential impact on viewers. "I was shocked to see people enjoy the violence in Dhurandhar. Parents took their young children to watch the film," Shah stated, highlighting his concerns about the film's content and its reception. He feels that "the innocence of movies is lost".
Despite the mixed critical reception and the debate surrounding its violent content, Dhurandhar has undeniably resonated with audiences, achieving significant box office numbers. The film's success has been attributed to its strong storytelling, power-packed action, and outstanding performances from the cast. Akshaye Khanna's portrayal of Rehman Dakait has been particularly praised, with many considering it a standout performance.
Looking ahead, a sequel, Dhurandhar: The Revenge, is slated for release on March 19, 2026. The teaser promises even more intense action, with Yami Gautam joining the cast in a special cameo. The combined budget for both Dhurandhar parts is estimated to be between ₹350 crore and ₹475 crore, making it one of the most expensive Indian action franchises to date.
The release of Dhurandhar: The Revenge is expected to be a major cinematic event, though it may face competition from Yash's Toxic. The film will be released in multiple languages, including Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam, in addition to Hindi. With the stage set for the sequel, it remains to be seen whether Dhurandhar: The Revenge will replicate the success of its predecessor and continue to push the boundaries of Indian action cinema.