Ranveer Singh's latest cinematic offering, the gangster action thriller Dhurandhar, has stormed the box office, setting a new benchmark for Indian films in 2025. Directed by Aditya Dhar, the film has achieved a monumental feat by overtaking the worldwide collections of Rishab Shetty's Kantara: A Legend Chapter 1, which stood at Rs 852.31 crore. This victory positions Dhurandhar as the highest-grossing Indian film of the year, but it also reignites a crucial industry conversation: does this blockbuster success firmly re-establish Ranveer Singh's star power and mark his definitive comeback?
The Dhurandhar Phenomenon: A Directorial Triumph
For filmmaker Aditya Dhar, Dhurandhar represents a significant personal and professional milestone. Having previously shelved his ambitious project, The Immortal Ashwatthama, due to commercial concerns, Dhar has now delivered a film that cements his reputation as a bankable director with a sharp commercial instinct. His strategic decision to reframe an espionage narrative into a gritty gangster saga set in Pakistan paid off handsomely, cutting through the clutter of spy universes and OTT hits.
The film's success is not attributed to a single factor. A major talking point has been the powerhouse performance by Akshaye Khanna, whose portrayal of crime lord Rehman Dakait has been hailed as the film's backbone. His scenes, particularly one set to the viral track FA9LA, have resonated globally, introducing his magnetic acting to a new generation. Furthermore, Dhar's acute musical sensibility, with compositions by Shashwat Sachdev, delivered instant hits like Jogi, Ishq Jalkar, and Lutt Le Gaya, turning them into cultural anthems.
Ranveer Singh: The Star in the Ensemble's Shadow?
Despite being marketed heavily as a Ranveer Singh vehicle, with promotional material centered on his character Hamza, post-release discussions have largely revolved around Akshaye Khanna's performance and Aditya Dhar's vision. Audiences have singled out Ranveer's impactful scene during the film's depiction of the 26/11 attacks, but his character is widely seen as one carrying the narrative baton for the promised sequel.
This context makes the film's commercial performance even more critical for the actor. Prior to Dhurandhar, Ranveer's post-pandemic box office track record was mixed, with Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani (Rs 153.55 crore) being a moderate success, while Cirkus (Rs 38.64 crore) and Jayeshbhai Jordaar (Rs 12 crore) underperformed. Therefore, Dhurandhar's massive opening of Rs 28 crore and its subsequent record-breaking run provide a much-needed commercial validation.
The Enduring Ranbir Kapoor vs. Ranveer Singh Debate
The film's success inevitably brings back the perennial comparison with his contemporary, Ranbir Kapoor. In the post-pandemic era, Ranbir has solidified his position with a string of successes including Brahmastra (Rs 267.2 crore), Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar (Rs 147.28 crore), and the global juggernaut Animal (Rs 915 crore worldwide), which still stands ahead of Dhurandhar's total.
Looking ahead, Ranbir's lineup appears formidable with Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Love and War, Nitesh Tiwari's two-part Ramayan, and the Animal Park sequel. Ranveer, on the other hand, has Dhurandhar 2, slated for an Eid 2026 release, and the potential Don 3 in the pipeline, while other announced projects have stalled. The post-credits scene of Dhurandhar hints at a transformative 'beast mode' for Ranveer's character in the sequel, which could be the pivotal moment that propels him back to the forefront.
In conclusion, while Dhurandhar undeniably marks a colossal commercial win for Ranveer Singh and revitalizes his career trajectory, the debate about a sustained comeback and rivalry with Ranbir Kapoor remains open. The true test will be the consistency of his choices and the performance of Dhurandhar 2, which now carries the weight of cementing this hard-earned resurgence.
