The Hindi film industry is witnessing a seismic shift at the box office, ignited by a bold declaration from the makers of the Ranveer Singh-starrer 'Dhurandhar'. The production house, Jio Studios, has officially proclaimed the film as the highest-grossing Hindi film of all time, surpassing the Hindi collections of the blockbuster 'Pushpa 2: The Rise'. This announcement has not only triggered widespread celebration but also a fresh debate within trade circles about final collection figures and industry benchmarks.
Dhurandhar Seizes the Number One Position
According to data released by the film's creators and covered by trade analysts, 'Dhurandhar' has overtaken the Hindi-language earnings of Allu Arjun's 'Pushpa 2: The Rise'. The milestone was marked with a celebratory poster released by Jio Studios on Wednesday afternoon. The poster featured a powerful image of Ranveer Singh and carried a message of gratitude: "Thank you, India. Ganpati Bappa morya (Hail Lord Ganpati)."
The graphic on the poster stated that after 33 days in theatres, 'Dhurandhar' had achieved a net domestic collection of Rs 831 crore. Based on this figure, the film moves ahead of 'Pushpa 2: The Rise', which reportedly collected Rs 821 crore from its Hindi version. However, this claim has sparked discussion, as several independent industry trackers have cited a slightly different number. These trackers place 'Dhurandhar's' Hindi total closer to Rs 782 crore as of Tuesday, suggesting it needs approximately Rs 40 crore more to definitively surpass 'Pushpa 2' on all independent trade charts.
Karan Johar's Glowing Tribute
Adding significant weight to the film's success is the effusive praise from veteran filmmaker Karan Johar. Taking to Instagram, Johar publicly congratulated the team, writing, "Congratulations to Team Dhurandhar for being the no 1 film in Hindi! So incredibly deserving… My favourite film of the year!!!"
His admiration extended beyond social media. At a public event, Johar elaborated on his feelings, stating he was "blown away by Dhurandhar." He expressed awe at the filmmaking craft, saying it made him question his own abilities. "It makes you feel like, 'Oh my craft is limited compared to this.' Oh my god, look at the use of background music," he remarked. Johar particularly appreciated the director's singular focus, noting, "What I loved about Dhurandhar was that I didn't feel that the director was self-aware. I felt his intention was only to tell the story." He concluded by naming it among his top films of the year, alongside 'Saiyaara' and 'Lokah'.
Industry Repercussions and Lasting Impact
The declaration by Jio Studios has undoubtedly set a new benchmark for success in the Hindi film market. While the exact numbers are being scrutinized, the very fact that 'Dhurandhar' is in a position to challenge and potentially claim the top spot signifies a major achievement. The debate it has sparked highlights the evolving nature of box office tracking and the importance of transparent, verified data in an industry driven by milestones.
This development also underscores the power of pan-India storytelling and star power, with Ranveer Singh leading a film that has resonated massively with audiences. The combination of critical acclaim from figures like Karan Johar and phenomenal commercial performance cements 'Dhurandhar's' place as a landmark film in contemporary Indian cinema, one that will be referenced in industry discussions for years to come.
