In a stunning display of box office power, director Aditya Dhar's much-anticipated action spectacle, 'Dhurandhar', has exploded onto the cinematic scene, shattering expectations on its very first day. The film, which hit theatres nationwide today, has not only lived up to the hype but has dramatically surpassed it, setting a new personal record for its lead star, Ranveer Singh.
A Record-Breaking Opening Day
Despite facing competition from the ongoing success of 'Tere Ishk Mein', 'Dhurandhar' enjoyed a massive release with approximately 13,000 shows across India. Advance bookings had already indicated a strong start, with collections hovering around Rs 9 crore. Industry insiders projected a robust first-day total between Rs 15 to 20 crore, factoring in spot bookings. However, the film performed a spectacular leap beyond all forecasts.
According to industry tracker Sacnilk, 'Dhurandhar' amassed a staggering Rs 27 crore net in India on its opening day. This monumental figure instantly makes it the biggest opener in Ranveer Singh's illustrious career, eclipsing the opening numbers of his previous blockbusters like 'Padmaavat', 'Simmba', 'Gully Boy', and 'Gunday'.
Putting the Numbers in Perspective
The scale of this achievement becomes even clearer when compared to Ranveer's past openings. His previous best, 'Padmaavat', had collected Rs 24 crore on day one, including paid previews, in the pre-pandemic era. Rohit Shetty's high-octane 'Simmba' opened at around Rs 20.72 crore.
More significantly, 'Dhurandhar's' success marks a phenomenal comeback for the star in the post-pandemic landscape. His previous post-Covid releases, the critically acclaimed '83' and the hit 'Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani', had opened at Rs 12 crore and Rs 11.1 crore respectively. The Rs 27 crore opening for 'Dhurandhar' is therefore seen as a massive victory, signaling a potent combination of star power, director's vision, and audience appetite for large-scale cinema.
Road Ahead and Industry Impact
With positive early reviews bolstering its appeal, the film is poised for significant growth over the weekend. The combination of strong word-of-mouth and the holiday period could propel its collections even higher. In an optimistic scenario, industry analysts suggest 'Dhurandhar' has a strong chance of crossing the coveted Rs 100 crore mark within its opening weekend itself.
The film's thunderous entry has had an immediate ripple effect on the box office. The previously dominant 'Tere Ishk Mein' felt the impact, witnessing a drop in its collections to Rs 3.65 crore on Friday as 'Dhurandhar' captured the audience's imagination. Featuring an ensemble cast including Sanjay Dutt, Arjun Rampal, and Akshaye Khanna alongside Ranveer Singh, 'Dhurandhar' has firmly established itself as the new box office kingpin.
