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It has reached the sky—and not stopped.
At a mind-boggling Rs. 863 crore net Indian collection till January 13 (it was released on December 5), Aditya Dhar’s Dhurandhar has now officially smashed its way to the top two of the awesome box-office heap of the all-time 10 top Hindi film blockbusters worldwide, and ranks at number 5 including the pan-Indian films. And its run isn’t over yet, while the sequel¸ Dhurandhar 2: Revenge, set to release in March will have an explosive opening.
What’s more, it has invited analytical articles including one in which it has been compared to Hindi cinema’s biggest hit, Sholay, in a different zone and league 51 years ago, but also has silenced the many detractors who have termed it a propaganda film. Incidentally, Sholay—The Final Cut, released on December 12, was also decimated by Dhurandhar as it has already been watched by almost all the nation on television!
A non-film observer notes that Dhurandhar has been liked or loved by both the Left liberals and the Right-wingers. It has shown facts, been liked by ladies despite the brutal violence which is comparable to European and Western cinema in being real, has shown immense repeat value and is not considered a propaganda film at all, but a fearless depiction of reality. Above all, it is honest cinema, he says.
The widespread acclaim and box-office figures say it all. Global actor Kabir Bedi calls it an “event film”, the only kind the people will now flock to theatres to watch when they have the OTT choice at home. Leading filmmakers and stars from Mumbai and South have appreciated the film and its commitment to truth. The music, especially the use of old songs, has been truly appreciated and so also the performances.
Wikipedia proffers the following list for Hindi films:
- Dangal Rs. 1,968.03–2,200 crore (2016)
- Dhurandhar Rs.1,302.98 crore (2025 but still running)
- Jawan Rs. 1,148.32 crore (2023)
- Pathaan Rs. 1,050.30 crore (2023)
- Animal Rs. 917.82 crore (2023)
- Bajrangi Bhaijaan Rs. 900.90–969.06 crore (2015)
- Stree 2 Rs.874.58 crore (2024)
- Secret Superstar Rs.858.43–966 crore (2017)
- Chhaava Rs.797.34–809 crore (2025)
- PK Rs.750.60–769.89 crore (2014)
The accompanying chart by Bollywood Mansion shows the Indian (including South) picture and places Dhurandhar at the third position, with inclusions like Pushpa 2, Bahubali 2—The Conclusion and RRR ranking above Dhurandhar and KGF 2, Kalki 2898 AD and Kantara Chapter 1: The Legend also making it to the Top 10 list.
It must be noted here that Dangal owes its top position to its fabulous collections in China, ditto Secret Superstar, both incidentally produced by Aamir Khan. But for that country, Pushpa 2 and Bahubali 2: The Conclusion would rank far ahead in the worldwide gross.
Three films thus feature Aamir Khan in India (between 2014 and 2017), two each have Shah Rukh Khan (in 2023, the year of his comeback), Akshaye Khanna (both in 2025) and Prabhas (2017 and 2024) and a film each has Salman Khan, Ranbir Kapoor and now Ranveer Singh besides the South’s sensations NTR Jr., Rana Daggubati, Yash, Allu Arjun and Rishab Shetty. Deepika Padukone (both 2023, with one in an extended cameo) and Rashmika Mandanna (2024 and 2025) have two films each, while S.S. Rajamouli is the only filmmaker to have that distinction with two consecutive whoppers (2017 and 2022).
Hindi cinema’s biggest hits (in footfalls and collections) are Kismat (1943), Rattan (1954), Mother India (1957), Mughal-E-Azam (1960), Sholay (1975), Ram Teri Ganga Maili (1985), Maine Pyar Kiya (1989), Hum Aapke Hain Koun!… (1994), Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995) and Gadar—Ek Prem Katha (2001). Inflation-adjusted and without bringing in extra-theatrical collections for various rights including overseas rights, if any, most of these would probably outclass these high grossers.
