Dhurandhar is a Hindi spy-action thriller directed by Aditya Dhar (known for Uri: The Surgical Strike) and led by Ranveer Singh, with a major ensemble that includes Akshaye Khanna, Sanjay Dutt, R. Madhavan and Arjun Rampal. The film released theatrically on December 5, 2025 and positioned itself as a gritty, adult-skewing espionage story with a strong “real events inspired” tone.
In the last 12 days (Dec 15–27, 2025), the conversation moved from “big hit” to “historic run”—driven by ₹1000 crore headlines, overseas records (especially North America), a clear sequel roadmap, and a loud online debate about the film’s political reading.
Latest News (Past 1–12 Days): What Changed Recently?
Update A (Dec 26–27, 2025): Dhurandhar crosses ₹1000 crore worldwide
Multiple outlets report that Dhurandhar has entered the ₹1000 crore worldwide club in about 21–22 days of release, putting it in a very small all-time group of Indian films that hit that mark. India Today cites a press release by the film’s team and reports worldwide gross around ₹1,006.7 crore, with India nett around ₹668.80 crore at that point.
Hindustan Times adds an important nuance: it notes a timing mismatch where makers claimed the milestone on one day while trade watchers placed it slightly later, which is common because outlets track different cut-offs, territories, and reporting sources.
Deeper analysis (why this matters):
A ₹1000 crore headline is not just a PR milestone—it resets the film’s negotiating power across (1) satellite/OTT pricing leverage, (2) sequel distribution terms, (3) overseas theatrical footprint for Part 2, and (4) long-tail brand value for the director-actor combo. When a film hits the club without a “family U/A four-quadrant” pitch (this one is adult-rated), it also signals that audience segmentation in India has matured: a big “adult action thriller” can scale like a mainstream blockbuster if word-of-mouth stays strong.
Update B (Dec 27, 2025): North America record headline
Times of India reports that Dhurandhar has reached about $15.09M in North America, edging past Animal (as per the same report) and becoming one of the top Indian performers in that market.
Deeper analysis:
North America has a different box office “engine” than India: higher ticket prices, strong diaspora concentration, and premium-format dominance (IMAX/large formats). When a film sustains there into week 3–4, it usually means (a) strong repeat value in the diaspora audience, and/or (b) crossover curiosity among non-diaspora viewers who follow global action cinema. That’s a strategic signal for Part 2: market the sequel like a “global espionage franchise,” not only a domestic Bollywood tentpole.
Update C (Dec 24, 2025): Dhurandhar 2 release plan expands to 5 languages
NDTV and Mint report that Dhurandhar 2 is set for March 19, 2026 (Eid window) and—crucially—will release simultaneously in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam, unlike Part 1 which released only in Hindi.
Deeper analysis:
This is the clearest “makers learned from Part 1” move. Part 1 reportedly built traction beyond the Hindi belt through buzz; Part 2 converts that demand into direct revenue by removing language friction on Day 1. This also protects Part 2 from depending on dubbed/late releases that leak momentum to piracy and spoilers.
Update D (Dec 23–24, 2025): Debate around “propaganda” criticism goes mainstream
Indian Express and Hindustan Times report that YouTuber Dhruv Rathee criticized the film as “well-made propaganda,” while cast/industry voices pushed back and the director reshared posts interpreted as a response.
Deeper analysis:
This kind of controversy often creates a “two-track marketing effect”: it can repel some viewers while motivating others to watch “to judge for themselves.” For theatrical business, the key variable is whether debate spills into platform moderation (trailers/ads), legal trouble, or organized review-bombing. So far, coverage shows a noisy discourse but no verified release-stopping escalation—meaning the chatter may have functioned more like amplification than damage.
Box Office Snapshot: ₹1000 Crore Club, India vs Overseas, and Record Claims Explained
What the latest credible reports indicate (as of Dec 26–27, 2025)
India Today reports ₹1,006.7 crore worldwide and breaks down India nett day-wise totals up to Day 21 sourced from Jio Studios (as reported).
Hindustan Times frames the milestone in “all-time list” context and highlights that the film is tracking close to other modern blockbusters like Pathaan and Kalki 2898 AD in worldwide lifetime comparisons.
Important clarity (most Google results don’t explain this properly):
- India nett = money after taxes (often used for domestic record comparisons).
- India gross = nett + taxes.
- Worldwide gross = India gross + overseas gross. Because outlets mix these terms (and update at different times), you’ll see “Day 21 vs Day 22” or slightly different totals across publishers on the same date.
OTT Release: Netflix Reports, Likely Window, and What’s “Confirmed” vs “Speculation”
Economic Times reports (citing OTTPlay) that Netflix has the post-theatrical streaming rights and that the film may stream around January 30, 2026 (reports-based, not a Netflix press announcement).
Business Standard also points to the same tentative date and explicitly notes that the OTT date has not been officially confirmed.
A late-January OTT window fits the typical 6–8 week post-theatrical pattern for big titles—especially when the theatrical run stays strong. Also, if Dhurandhar 2 arrives on March 19, 2026, a late-January OTT drop gives Part 1 enough time to build a “catch-up wave” without cannibalising the sequel too early.
Why Dhurandhar Worked: Deeper Performance + Market Analysis (Not Just Collections)
Adult rating + long runtime, yet strong footfalls
Indian Express reports the film’s runtime around 214 minutes and notes its A certification context in the pre-release reporting cycle.
My analysis:
Strong overseas narrative even with constraints
TOI and Hindustan Times’ latest reporting emphasizes overseas traction and “record-chasing” in North America and worldwide comparisons.
My analysis:
Overseas success becomes more meaningful when certain territories do not screen the film. It suggests the film’s appeal is not only dependent on one diaspora-heavy region; it travels across multiple international circuits.
Sequel timing creates a “franchise flywheel”
NDTV and Mint confirm Dhurandhar 2’s date and multi-language plan.
My analysis:
The short gap between Part 1 and Part 2 (Dec 2025 → Mar 2026) is a retention strategy: it keeps the story fresh, reduces fan drop-off, and turns Part 1’s OTT release (if late Jan) into a sequel marketing tool rather than a substitute.
FAQs(People Also Ask)
What is the release date of Dhurandhar (2025)?
Dhurandhar was released in theatres worldwide on December 5, 2025. It premiered with an 'A' certificate from the CBFC and a final runtime of 214 minutes.
Has Dhurandhar really crossed ₹1,000 crore worldwide?
Yes. On December 26, 2025 (Day 21), the makers officially confirmed that the film crossed the ₹1,000 crore worldwide collection mark. It is the fourth Hindi film in history to achieve this milestone, joining the ranks of Dangal, Pathaan, and Jawan.
What is the release date of Dhurandhar 2?
The sequel, titled Dhurandhar Part 2: The Revenge, is officially scheduled to release on March 19, 2026. The date was chosen to coincide with the Eid, Gudi Padwa, and Ugadi holidays.
Will Dhurandhar 2 release in South Indian languages?
Yes. Due to massive organic demand from the South, the makers have announced a five-language pan-India rollout. The sequel will release simultaneously in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam.
Where can I watch Dhurandhar on OTT, and when?
Netflix has secured the streaming rights for Dhurandhar. While an official confirmation is awaited, industry reports suggest a digital premiere on January 30, 2026, approximately eight weeks after its theatrical debut.
Why was Dhurandhar not released in Gulf countries?
The film was denied clearance by authorities in six Gulf nations (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Oman). Reports indicate the ban was due to the film's "anti-Pakistan" themes and sensitive geopolitical narrative.
What is the runtime of Dhurandhar?
The final theatrical version of Dhurandhar has a runtime of 214 minutes (3 hours and 34 minutes). This makes it the longest Hindi film released in the last 17 years, equaling the length of 2008's Jodhaa Akbar.
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Conclusion + Future Expectations
As of December 27, 2025, Dhurandhar (2025) has moved into rare blockbuster territory: the latest reporting places it in the ₹1000 crore worldwide club, with unusually strong overseas momentum and sustained domestic collections deep into week 3–4.
The bigger story is what comes next. With Dhurandhar 2 dated for March 19, 2026 and planned as a five-language release, the franchise is clearly shifting from “big Hindi hit” to “structured pan-India event.” If the makers also time the (reported) Netflix drop smartly in late January 2026, they can convert first-time viewers into sequel buyers at scale.
