The Bollywood box office witnessed a stunning surprise on December 5 as the much-anticipated spy thriller Dhurandhar spectacularly defied all advance estimates. The film, starring Ranveer Singh, collected a massive over ₹27 crore on its opening day, a figure that left trade analysts and experts in a state of shock.
Defying the Gloomy Predictions
In the days leading up to the release, a narrative of dampened hype and lost momentum had dominated trade circles. Most predictions pegged the film's opening in a conservative range of ₹15 to 18 crore. Several analysts had gone further, warning that it might struggle to even cross the ₹15 crore mark, pointing to seemingly weak pre-sales data. This led many to believe that recent releases like Saiyaara (₹21.50 crore) and Chhaava (₹31 crore) would remain unchallenged in the current landscape.
However, the audience delivered a powerful verdict, turning up in large numbers and pushing the film's earnings far beyond expectations. While the opening did not reach the historic levels of 2023's Animal (₹64 crore), the ₹27 crore+ haul is a significant achievement. It marks a robust comeback for Ranveer Singh after a relatively quiet phase post-COVID and proves that early trade signals can sometimes misread genuine audience interest.
Twitter Erupts with Praise for the Spy Thriller
Soon after its release, social media platform X (formerly Twitter) was flooded with reactions from early viewers, and the sentiment was overwhelmingly positive. Many users hailed Dhurandhar as a 'blockbuster' and urged moviegoers to ignore any negative chatter online. The film is being celebrated as a powerful return to form for Ranveer Singh and a masterful spy thriller crafted by director Aditya Dhar.
Viewers highlighted several technical and performance aspects, praising the film's sharp editing, solid character development, striking background score, and intense action sequences. The story was described as gripping, rough-edged, and full of bold narrative choices. Many called it a complete entertainer packed with great music and heavy drama.
The performances, particularly by Ranveer Singh and R Madhavan, received widespread acclaim. A recurring highlight in the reviews was the film's climax, with many stating that the final half-hour was both shocking and highly impactful. The consensus among early viewers is that Bollywood has delivered a compelling big-screen experience that demands to be seen in theatres.
The Ultimate Power of Word-of-Mouth
This event is a classic case of the audience becoming the ultimate decider. Strong positive word-of-mouth from the first shows quickly began to override the pre-release skepticism. Viewers judged the film on its own merits and championed it, effectively pushing aside the negative predictions.
With this powerful public endorsement, Dhurandhar is now expected to perform even more strongly over the weekend. The film, which also features an ensemble cast including Sanjay Dutt, Akshaye Khanna, and Arjun Rampal, has successfully reignited the box office conversation and set a new benchmark for surprise successes.
