In a significant industry moment, the iconic Yash Raj Films studio publicly lauded director Aditya Dhar and the team behind the blockbuster Dhurandhar. The film, starring Ranveer Singh, has shattered records to become the highest-grossing Hindi film of all time. This praise, however, arrives amidst a pivotal cinematic conversation: what does the monumental success of a gritty, grounded actioner mean for the future of YRF's own, more Westernized Spy Universe?
The Unstoppable Rise of Dhurandhar
Released on December 5, 2025, Aditya Dhar's gangster-action film Dhurandhar overcame pre-release controversies and logistical hurdles to achieve a historic box office run. The film, produced by Jio Studios, didn't just break records; it captured the cultural zeitgeist. Performers like Akshaye Khanna and Rakesh Bedi were celebrated anew, while composer Shashwat Sachdev was hailed as a major new talent.
On Wednesday, January 7, 2026, Yash Raj Films took to social media to extend formal congratulations. The studio's statement called the film "a milestone in Indian cinema" and praised Dhar's "clarity of purpose, fearless storytelling, and unwavering commitment to excellence." This recognition from a legacy powerhouse like YRF is a major triumph for the Dhurandhar team, but it also underscores a fascinating tension within the industry's landscape.
Rooted Grit vs. Glossy Spectacle: A Genre at a Crossroads
Since its release, Dhurandhar has been consistently compared to the franchises within YRF's Spy Universe, which includes films like War, Pathaan, and Tiger 3. The core of the debate centers on sensibility. Audiences have embraced Dhurandhar for its raw, visceral, and earthy treatment of the espionage genre, reinventing a routine spy story as a kinetic gangster saga set in the unfamiliar terrain of Karachi.
In contrast, the Spy Universe is noted for its high-gloss, Hollywood-style aesthetics and reliance on star power, flashy CGI, and familiar narrative templates involving RAW-ISI conflicts. A growing sentiment suggests that while the Spy Universe pioneered spectacle, it now risks running on inertia, recycling formulas without innovating its emotional or narrative core. The underwhelming box office performances of recent entries like Tiger 3 and War 2 have highlighted this challenge.
Dhurandhar has effectively raised the bar, proving that audiences are drawn to rooted storytelling with inventive set-pieces and a formidable ensemble, over purely formulaic spectacle.
The Political Divide and the Path Forward
The comparison extends beyond style into substance. Critics of Dhurandhar have pointed to its divisive political subtext. Conversely, the Spy Universe, since its foundation with Kabir Khan's Ek Tha Tiger in 2012, has been built on a consciously secular, harmonious, and morally upright political stance. It emphasizes shared humanity across borders, a philosophy credited to Aditya Chopra's vision, which echoes the transformative power of love central to his father Yash Chopra's legacy.
Yet, as the analysis notes, sensible politics alone cannot sustain a franchise facing creative headwinds. The future of the Spy Universe, with its next film Alpha already facing delays, appears uncertain in a post-Dhurandhar world unless it ventures beyond its established tropes.
There is, however, an alternative path for YRF. The studio could choose to diversify, as evidenced by the surprise success of a romantic musical like Saiyaara the previous year. To stand out, YRF may need to rediscover its 2000s-era knack for fresh, innovative storytelling across genres, or commit to a bold reinvention of its flagship action universe. The choice, as framed by industry observers, is one of conscious courage and timing for the studio head, Aditya Chopra.
