The Indian box office is witnessing a historic phenomenon as Ranveer Singh-starrer 'Dhurandhar' continues to shatter records with an unstoppable run. Since its grand release on December 5, the Aditya Dhar directorial has not just performed well; it has etched its name as the highest-grossing Indian film of all time in a single language.
Unprecedented Numbers and a Theatre Owner's Verdict
The spy thriller's financial conquest is staggering. The film has amassed a colossal over Rs 831 crore nett in India and has stormed past the Rs 1220 crore mark in global collections. As the numbers climb with each passing week, veteran theatre executive Manoj Desai, who oversees iconic venues like G7 Multiplex and Maratha Mandir Cinema, confirmed its top-dog status.
"As of today, it is number one. Collection-wise, Dhurandhar has clearly emerged as number one," Desai stated in an interview. He acknowledged the pull of other stars like Salman Khan, whose film 'Sikandar' is also performing, but emphasized that "the simple truth is that right now, Dhurandhar is ahead of everyone."
In a humorous and candid revelation, Desai shared that despite the packed houses in his own theatres, he hasn't seen the record-breaking film yet. "You know the saying—if someone owns a shop that sells cream and milk, he can’t consume all the cream or drink all the milk himself. In the same way, I haven’t been able to watch Dhurandhar yet," he quipped, adding that he plans to watch it soon.
The Marketing Blueprint Behind the Blockbuster
Desai pinpointed the aggressive promotional strategy and digital buzz as the twin engines driving audiences to cinemas. "They did extremely strong publicity. They also released a few songs on YouTube, and after seeing all that, the public came rushing to theatres," he explained.
He highlighted the transformative power of marketing in the modern film ecosystem, noting that the investment in promotion paid monumental dividends. Desai specifically mentioned the viral popularity of a song featuring Akshaye Khanna on YouTube as a major crowd-puller.
Speaking about Akshaye Khanna's career moves post the film's success, Desai offered a piece of seasoned advice. He revealed that the actor increased his fees after 'Dhurandhar' and consequently lost out on 'Drishyam 3'. "Whenever a star gets success—even if it’s from a three- or four-minute song—they should maintain a little calm afterward. That’s my personal thinking," Desai remarked, while respecting the actor's autonomy in his decisions.
Ranveer Singh's Crown and Lessons for the Future
For Desai, the biggest takeaway from this tsunami of success is the coronation of Ranveer Singh as a bona fide top-tier star. "What one can learn from this is that if you make a film like this, you become number one—you become the king. And that is happening now," he asserted. He praised the film's universal acceptance, noting that "even families have completely accepted this."
With this monumental success, Desai advises careful navigation ahead. He suggests that Ranveer Singh, and indeed every actor, must now be meticulous in choosing future projects. "He should choose his next films carefully—look at the story, understand what his role is, what dialogues he’s getting, and think it through," Desai counseled.
Summing up the 'Dhurandhar' effect, the theatre magnate concluded, "Right now, Dhurandhar has been outstanding... they should be very, very perfect in their working." The film, directed by Aditya Dhar of 'Uri' fame and featuring an ensemble cast including Sanjay Dutt, Arjun Rampal, and R Madhavan, continues its dominant reign in theatres across India and overseas.
