The cinematic landscape is currently dominated by the unprecedented success and equally intense discourse surrounding the Ranveer Singh-led film, Dhurandhar. The movie has not only stormed the box office but has also sparked a significant conversation about separating cinematic craft from ideological perspective within the Indian film industry.
Unstoppable Box Office Run
Dhurandhar continues its monumental commercial rampage, amassing a staggering worldwide collection of Rs 1,117.90 crore. The film's momentum shows no signs of slowing down, as it successfully crossed the Rs 15 crore mark on its fourth Thursday in theatres. This steady performance firmly places it on track to potentially overtake the lifetime global earnings of Shah Rukh Khan's Jawan, which currently stands at approximately Rs 1,160 crore.
This colossal success marks a major career milestone for lead actor Ranveer Singh. Dhurandhar represents his first entry into the coveted Rs 1,000 crore club and is widely seen as a powerful return to the form he showcased in historical epics like Padmaavat and Bajirao Mastani. It is his most significant commercial hit since Gully Boy, barring the success of Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani.
Industry Voices Applaud the Craft
While the film's financial triumph is clear, public and critical opinion remains sharply divided. Amidst this polarized environment, respected voices from within the film fraternity have stepped forward to acknowledge the movie's technical and artistic merits, even when they may disagree with its political undertones.
Veteran filmmaker Sudhir Mishra recently took to his X (formerly Twitter) handle to share his nuanced take. He emphasized the diversity of the Indian film industry before stating, "By the way, Dhurandhar is a well-made film." He lavished praise on director Aditya Dhar, calling him "extremely skilled" and highlighting the film's terrific acting.
Mishra pinpointed a director's most difficult task: "The most difficult thing in filmmaking is a director’s ability to make the audience ‘smell the place’, and Aditya Dhar, with the help of his brilliant cinematographer and production designer, manages to do just that." He also commended the precise casting, including minor roles, while noting he comes from a different filmmaking school.
His statement was part of a firm response to a political figure's query, where Mishra asserted that filmmakers do have the courage to tackle difficult subjects and requested that the industry not be lumped under one monolithic 'Bollywood' brand.
Hrithik Roshan's Cinephile Perspective
Echoing a similar sentiment of separating art from ideology, superstar Hrithik Roshan had earlier shared his admiration for the film. He wrote, "I love cinema, I love people who climb into a vortex and let the story take control… DHURANDHAR is an example of that." He openly stated, "I may disagree with the politics of it, but I can’t ignore how much I loved and learnt from it as a student of cinema."
Days later, Hrithik reiterated his praise, specifically applauding Aditya Dhar's direction and the performances by Ranveer Singh, Akshaye Khanna, R Madhavan, and Rakesh Bedi. He also highlighted the outstanding work of the makeup and prosthetics department, concluding with palpable excitement for the sequel: "Still can’t get DHURANDHAR out of my mind… I can’t wait for part 2."
The Road Ahead
The online reaction to these balanced takes has been mixed. While many netizens praised the maturity of appreciating craft beyond personal ideology, others contested the assessment of Dhurandhar as a well-made film. This ongoing debate underscores the film's impact as both a commercial powerhouse and a cultural talking point.
Featuring an ensemble cast including Akshaye Khanna, Sara Arjun, Sanjay Dutt, and Arjun Rampal in pivotal roles, the juggernaut is set to continue. The eagerly awaited sequel to Dhurandhar is already scheduled for release on March 19, promising to extend both its box office legacy and the surrounding conversation.
