Dhurandhar: The Revenge Premieres with Record-Breaking Box Office and Controversial Incidents
The highly anticipated Bollywood action film Dhurandhar: The Revenge, directed by Aditya Dhar and starring Ranveer Singh in the lead role, officially hit cinemas worldwide on Thursday, March 19. Fans flocked to theatres in large numbers, eager to experience the film before spoilers could leak online, contributing to a frenzied opening day.
Vandalism Disrupts Screenings in Montreal
However, the excitement was marred by reports of alleged sabotage at two cinema halls in Montreal, Canada. According to viral social media posts, a person sliced the theatre screen mid-show, forcing a halt in the screening. Videos from inside the theatres have gone viral, showing large tears across the screen as the film played. One clip depicted the theatre running an intermission, while another showed a police officer present during a screening.
The exact circumstances remain unclear, but an Instagram handle, MONTRÉAL STORIES, shared a clip with a caption that read, "A screening of Dhurandar at Cineplex Atwater took a wild turn when someone damaged the movie screen mid-show. From Bollywood action on screen to real-life drama in the theatre… only in Montreal. Would you stay or ask for a refund?"
History of Attacks on Indian Film Screenings in Canada
This incident follows a previous report from October 2025, where a movie theatre in Ontario, Canada, pulled screenings of Rishab Shetty's Kantara: A Legend Chapter 1 and Pawan Kalyan's They Call Him OG after becoming the target of arson and shooting attacks. These attacks were reportedly linked to theatre showings of South Asian films, highlighting ongoing concerns for safety in such venues.
Record-Breaking Box Office Performance
Despite the disruptions, Dhurandhar: The Revenge achieved a monumental start at the box office. The film scored one of the highest advance bookings in both domestic and international markets, becoming the first Bollywood film to cross the Rs 100 crore mark on its opening day. With an additional nearly Rs 50 crore from preview shows, the film's gross total has surpassed the Rs 150 crore mark, setting a new benchmark for Bollywood releases.
The film's success underscores the massive popularity of Ranveer Singh and the director Aditya Dhar, while the incidents in Canada raise questions about security measures at international screenings. As investigations continue, fans and industry observers are closely watching how these events might impact future releases and theatre operations globally.
