The cinematic juggernaut 'Dhurandhar', directed by Aditya Dhar and headlined by Ranveer Singh, is not just breaking box office records but also conquering the digital landscape. The film, which opened in theatres on December 5, has achieved a monumental milestone by crossing the ₹500 crore mark at the global box office. Beyond its staggering commercial success, the movie has triggered a fresh and hilarious meme trend across social media platforms, with netizens creatively reimagining the life of an undercover agent.
The Box Office Phenomenon
Featuring an ensemble cast including Akshaye Khanna, R. Madhavan, Sanjay Dutt, and Arjun Rampal, 'Dhurandhar' has proven to be a massive draw for audiences worldwide. Its gripping narrative and high-octane action have translated into phenomenal earnings. Domestically, the film has amassed over ₹360 crore in India alone, contributing significantly to its half-a-billion-rupee global haul. The excitement for the franchise is set to continue, with the second part already scheduled for release in March 2026.
The Viral 'Desi Spy' Meme Wave
Parallel to its financial triumph, 'Dhurandhar' and Ranveer Singh's character Hamza Ali Mazari have inspired a unique wave of comedy online. Influencers and content creators on Instagram and YouTube are humorously portraying undercover Indian spies operating in Pakistan whose cover is blown not by high-tech failures, but by deeply ingrained desi habits.
In these viral sketches, creators seamlessly blend into Pakistani settings, only to be betrayed by their instinctive Indian mannerisms. Popular creator Saloni Gaur shared a clip where her spy character's instinctive reaction to dropping papers gives her away. Another creator, Kishore, showed a spy confidently dancing to a tune but getting exposed by the superstitious habit of avoiding waking up on the left side.
The team behind the page Funcho, Dhruv and Shyam, presented a scenario where a spy greets a Pakistani contact and then instinctively performs a pranam by touching his feet. Similarly, influencer Mandy found his cover blown after shaking hands and then performing the classic desi gesture of touching his chest and kissing his fingers.
Creator Diljeet Varshney perfectly encapsulated the trend, joking "Aadat se majboor" (force of habit), when his spy character excitedly chants a popular political slogan, "Ab ki baar, Modi sarkaar," revealing his true identity.
Social Media Erupts in Laughter
The meme trend has been met with widespread amusement and engagement from social media users, highlighting its cross-border appeal. A Reddit user humorously noted, "Mean while mom is soo happy, ladka videsh jaane ke baad bhi sanskar nahi bhula." Another user appreciated the trend, stating, "Finally a good meme, which is not cringe."
Many comments celebrated the shared humour, with one Instagram user writing, "I love how both the nations find it funny." The creativity extended to naming conventions, with jokes about spy aliases like "tulsi das khan," and even imagining a Gujarati spy in Pakistan who cannot resist joining a Garba dance. The universal relatability of these desi habits has turned the 'Dhurandhar' meme trend into a massive viral sensation.
The unprecedented success of 'Dhurandhar' demonstrates the potent combination of compelling storytelling and cultural resonance. As it continues its record-breaking run in theatres, its legacy is being cemented not just in box office history, but also in the vibrant and creative world of internet culture.
