The pulsating beats of Punjabi bhangra recently transformed the atmosphere at a premier NBA stadium in the United States. During a high-energy pre-game show for the clash between the Golden State Warriors and the Milwaukee Bucks, the title track from the Bollywood blockbuster Dhurandhar set the stage ablaze.
Bhangra Empire Steals the Show
The spectacular act was performed by the acclaimed dance crew, Bhangra Empire. Dressed in vibrant traditional attire, the dancers captivated the audience at San Francisco's Chase Center with their powerful and synchronized moves. The performance instantly grabbed the crowd's attention, earning roaring cheers and applause that echoed throughout the arena.
Bhangra Empire later captured the electric moment in a video shared on their Instagram. The clip, captioned "Starting our Warriors game performance off with a bang!", clearly shows the performers feeding off the immense energy of the excited fans. The video rapidly went viral, showcasing a unique fusion of Indian culture and American sports entertainment.
Netizens Celebrate Cross-Cultural Moment
The viral Instagram post sparked a wave of enthusiastic reactions from netizens worldwide. Many expressed pride in seeing Indian culture represented on such a prominent global platform. "Proud to see our Indian culture even in the NBA," wrote one user, capturing a common sentiment.
Another comment humorously noted, "The Dhurandhar effect is riyal," while a third user admitted, "Didn't expect India to make a presence like this in the NBA." Others simply shared their delight, with one person stating, "Loveee this! Wish I'd been at this game."
Dhurandhar's Soaring Global Popularity
This NBA appearance is not the first instance of Dhurandhar creating waves beyond Indian borders. Just days before this event, videos from a wedding in Pakistan surfaced online, featuring guests dancing enthusiastically to the film's track Shararat. This highlights the movie's growing cross-border and international appeal.
Directed by Aditya Dhar, Dhurandhar is a high-octane spy thriller. The film stars Ranveer Singh in the lead role of Hamza Ali Mazari, also known as Jaskirat Singh Rangi, an Indian spy on a dangerous mission in Karachi's Lyari area. The ensemble cast includes Akshaye Khanna as gang leader Rehman Dakait, along with Sanjay Dutt, R Madhavan, Arjun Rampal, Sara Arjun, and Rakesh Bedi in pivotal roles.
Riding on the massive success of the film, the makers have officially confirmed a sequel. Dhurandhar 2 is scheduled for a theatrical release on March 19, 2026, promising to continue the franchise's global momentum.
