Ranveer Singh's highly anticipated film, Dhurandhar, is poised for a robust theatrical opening this week, having already crossed a significant milestone in advance ticket sales. Despite being embroiled in a legal controversy, the film's box office prospects appear strong as it gears up for its nationwide release on December 5.
Strong Box Office Numbers Amidst Controversy
According to data from industry trackers, Dhurandhar has sold 12,394 tickets for its opening day across all formats in India. The film has secured a wide release with 2,464 screenings scheduled nationwide. From advance bookings alone, the Aditya Dhar-directed project has minted an impressive ₹60.89 lakh.
When accounting for blocked seats, which are typically reserved for promotional or strategic purposes, the film is aiming for an opening day business of approximately ₹2.15 crore in the domestic market. This brings the total advance collection figure to over the ₹2 crore mark, a promising start for the action drama.
State-Wise Advance Booking Breakdown
The advance booking trends reveal a fascinating geographical spread of audience interest. Delhi is leading the charts, having recorded ₹18.39 lakh in net earnings from 303 shows. When including blocked seats, the gross collection for the national capital region jumps to ₹50.65 lakh, with 11 screenings already showing a "filling fast" status.
Maharashtra follows closely behind, contributing ₹12.79 lakh (₹53.39 lakh gross with blocked seats) from a substantial 536 shows. Other major contributing states include:
- Karnataka: ₹7.11 lakh
- Gujarat: ₹4.55 lakh
- Telangana: Over ₹2.63 lakh
- Tamil Nadu: Over ₹1.18 lakh
This data indicates a pan-India appeal for the film, which features an ensemble cast including Sanjay Dutt, Akshaye Khanna, R. Madhavan, and Arjun Rampal, alongside Ranveer Singh. The film also stars Sara Arjun and Rakesh Bedi in pivotal roles.
The Legal Controversy Explained
The film's journey to the screens has not been without hurdles. Dhurandhar ran into legal trouble after allegations surfaced that it portrays the life of late Major Mohit Sharma without obtaining proper consent from his family. The family members recently moved the Delhi High Court, seeking a stay on the release of the Ranveer Singh-starrer.
In a statement to Hindustan Times, the late officer's brother, Madhur Sharma, expressed the family's distress. "Ever since the film was announced, there is a lot of information on social media suggesting it is based on my brother. Reputed media channels and influencers with millions of followers have drawn correlations. We just want the producers to clarify and tell us the reality," he said.
He emphasized that the family is not seeking financial benefit but rather clarity and empathy. "We want people to take a sympathetic, empathetic perspective. This is not just for us but for every family that has lost a son (in military operations). We just want due diligence. If the film is based on him, just say, 'Sorry ma'am, we didn't inform you.' If not, say the hype is untrue," Madhur Sharma added.
Earlier, director Aditya Dhar, known for the blockbuster Uri: The Surgical Strike, had responded to a post by Madhur Sharma on social media platform X to clarify the film's stance, though the exact nature of his clarification was not detailed in the initial report.
Release and Expectations
With the release date set for December 5, all eyes are now on the film's performance at the box office post its opening. The strong advance booking numbers suggest that the controversy has not significantly dampened audience curiosity. The film marks Aditya Dhar's directorial return after the massive success of Uri, raising expectations for another high-octane, patriotic narrative.
The coming days will reveal whether Dhurandhar can convert its promising advance sales into sustained box office success and navigate the ongoing legal discussions surrounding its narrative inspiration.
