Aditya Dhar’s film “Dhurandhar” has become a monumental success in Hindi cinema, grossing over ₹1300 crore globally. This impressive performance has led to the anticipation of its sequel, setting the stage for a potential blockbuster. The film has registered significant profits, surpassing even notable pan-India films such as “RRR” and “KGF Chapter 2,” along with major Bollywood releases like “Animal.”
Originally conceived as a single lengthy movie, “Dhurandhar” was split into two parts shortly before its release due to its extensive runtime of over six hours. This strategic decision allowed the film to double its box office potential. Although risky, the first part’s extraordinary success paid off, paving the way for the sequel.
“Dhurandhar” earned ₹1004 crore in India and $33 million internationally. The producers gained around ₹360 crore from the Indian box office and approximately $15 million overseas. Furthermore, non-theatrical rights contributed significantly, with reports indicating earnings of ₹140 crore from digital, satellite, and music platforms. Overall, the film’s total financial recovery approached ₹650 crore, against a production budget of ₹400 crore, which is now divided between both films. Including marketing expenses, the actual cost for “Dhurandhar” Part 1 is estimated at ₹250 crore, translating to a profit of about ₹400 crore, marking it as one of the most profitable Indian films to date.
In comparison, “Dhurandhar’s” profit of ₹400 crore outstrips many high-grossing films. Shah Rukh Khan’s “Jawan” holds the record for the highest profit in Bollywood, just surpassing the mark set by “Dhurandhar.” Other films such as “Pathaan” and “Animal” have profits of ₹330 crore and ₹250 crore, respectively. The lower earnings of films like “Gadar 2” and “Stree 2” can be attributed to their reduced non-theatrical revenues.
The film has also outperformed several notable pan-India films, including SS Rajamouli’s “RRR,” which achieved a profit of over ₹250 crore, and Yash’s “KGF Chapter 2,” which realized similar amounts. “Kalki 2898 AD” is estimated to have made a profit of just over ₹150 crore. While “KGF Chapter 2” recorded strong box office numbers, its profits were limited due to underwhelming non-theatrical earnings, while both “RRR” and “Kalki” faced high production costs that diminished their profitability despite substantial revenue from non-theatrical rights.
However, “Dhurandhar’s” ₹400 crore profit is still shy of the highest profits in Indian cinema history. “Baahubali 2” and “Pushpa 2” both exceed this mark with profits surpassing ₹600 crore each.
“Dhurandhar,” directed by Aditya Dhar, features Ranveer Singh in the role of an Indian spy operating in Pakistan, alongside a cast that includes Akshaye Khanna, R. Madhavan, Arjun Rampal, and Sanjay Dutt. The eagerly awaited sequel, titled “Dhurandhar: The Revenge,” is set to premiere in theaters on March 19, further extending the film’s narrative and audience engagement.