Is Dhurandhar hit or flop?
Dhurandhar movie
Introduction
The Plot: A High-Stakes Undercover Mission
The film is set in the early 2000s and draws inspiration from actual events and the undercover activities of India’s Research and Analysis Wing (RAW).
The Mission: Ajay Sanyal (played by R. Madhavan), a senior strategist often compared to a real-life National Security Advisor, plans a secret operation called Dhurandhar.
The Infiltration: Hamza (Ranveer Singh), a brooding RAW agent, goes deep undercover in Pakistan. His goal is to dismantle the terror networks operating out of Karachi’s Lyari area by infiltrating the gang of the powerful and dangerous Rehman Dakait.
The Conflict: As Hamza wins the trust of the underworld, he finds himself caught in a web of ISI handlers, corrupt politicians, and brutal gang wars, all while trying to prevent a major attack on Indian soil.
Lead Cast & Characters
The film features a "powerhouse" ensemble cast:
Ranveer Singh as Hamza / Jaskirat Singh: The intense undercover spy.
Akshaye Khanna as Rehman Dakait: The chilling Pakistani crime lord. (His performance has been widely hailed as the standout of the film.)
R. Madhavan as Ajay Sanyal: The mastermind behind the operation.
Sanjay Dutt as SP Chaudhary Aslam : An impulsive, tough-as-nails police officer.
Arjun Rampal as Major Iqbal: A shrewd ISI officer linking the gangs to Islamabad.
Viral Intro & Soundtrack:
The film’s music, written by Shashwat Sachdev, is a phenomenon, particularly the “entry” songs for the characters:
Akshaye Khanna’s Entry:His entry as Rehman Dacoit is marked by the Bahraini rap song "FA9LA" by Flipperachi. The clip, where he is dancing with élan and danger in a sandy setting, has become viral, with fans dubbing it the “next Jamal Kudu.”
Sanjay Dutt’s Entry:His entry is marked by the classic high-energy song "Hawa Hawa" by Hasan Jahangir.
- Title Track: A hard-hitting mix by Hanumankind and Jasmine Sandlas, sampling the Punjabi classic "Na Dil De Pardesi Nu.
Is Dhurandhar hit or flop?
The cumulative total at the Indian box office concludes at 881.25 crores net after 46 days. Made against a budget of 225 crores, Dhurandhar is a massive blockbuster with impressive returns of 291.6%. Including taxes, the gross total lands at 1039.87 crores.SUPER DUPER HIT MOVIE.
BASED ON REAL EVENTS THAT TOOK IN KARACHI CITY
Dhurandhar – Film Analysis and Real-Life Inspirations
Dhurandhar is a fictional spy thriller that is heavily inspired by real-life covert operations and infamous criminal groups, especially in the Lyari area of Pakistan. The film is entirely fictional, but it is inspired by real-life events and individuals, which are all woven into a cinematic experience.
Plot and Key Characters:
The film features Ranveer Singh as an Indian spy who goes undercover in gangs in Lyari, inspired by the courage of Major Mohit Sharma, an Indian Army officer who went undercover to fight terrorists in Kashmir.
Sanjay Dutt plays a role inspired by SSP Chaudhary Aslam Khan, a famous Pakistani police officer who is a counter-terrorism expert.
Akshaye Khanna plays Rehman Dacoit, inspired by the real-life gangster-politician of Lyari.
Major Inspirations and Real-Life Events:
Operation Lyari: The film takes inspiration from this covert operation against drug cartels and terror groups in Karachi’s Lyari, a neighborhood infamous for gang wars.
Real-Life Events: The film takes inspiration from events such as the 1999 Indian Airlines Flight 814 hijacking and the 2001 Parliament attack.
REACTION OF PAKISTANI
“Netizens React: What People Really Think”
PAKISTANI PUBLIC OBJECTIONS
- Character Development: Some audiences feel that the characters are underdeveloped, with key roles not explored enough to create a strong emotional connection.
- Pakistani internet users have voiced concerns about Ranveer Singh's outfit, especially the half-sleeve shirt he chose. Many contend that traditional Pakistani fashion is not reflected in this style. It is feared that local audiences may be influenced by these depictions, which could cause some people to copy the appearance. A TikTok user might, for example, ask a tailor to make a similar shirt, record a slow-motion video, play well-known songs in the background, and imagine themselves looking like Ranveer Singh. This trend raises concerns about the authenticity and preservation of regional fashion traditions, even though it is generally harmless.
- Chaudhary Aslam’s wife has raised a serious objection to a dialogue in the Dhurandhar trailer, which implied that he was born from “Shaitan and Jinn.” She stated that this line is highly disrespectful and inappropriate.
- The viewers belonging to the PPP political party have raised objections against a scene in the Dhurandhar movie, which shows a PPP meeting. The movie is said to change the name of the political party, but the image of Benazir Bhutto is still there. The viewers find it insulting, but it is not yet clear whether any legal action will be taken.
OBJECTION RAISED BY THE BLOG AUTHOR
- The blogger is concerned that Bollywood has gone beyond all limits of cheapness with this trailer. Who can say that violence, bloodshed, and torture are “entertainment”? The blogger is critical of the director and says that his greed for money has reached such a level that he is determined to poison the minds of the younger generation.
- In December 2025, YouTuber Dhruv Rathee termed Dhurandhar as “dangerous propaganda,” claiming it to be a spreader of misinformation. He stated that the movie tends to mix up facts and fiction by using actual footage of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks along with the fictional storylines, promotes a “muscular” military agenda, and uses too much violence. However, despite the criticism, the movie broke into the ₹500 crore club, and the director, Aditya Dhar, reacted to it indirectly by saying that Rathee was “swept away by criticism.” The blogger agrees with Rathee when he says that the movie has a definite propagandist tone.
- The blog author raises concerns about Dhurandhar’s portrayal of violence, arguing that while technically impressive, it crosses ethical and narrative boundaries. The action sequences are often synchronized with dramatic scores, including Bhangra beats, operatic music, and retro tracks like “Monica O My Darling”, heightening the impact of graphic scenes. In a notable departure for a Ranveer Singh film, the protagonist is sometimes shown physically vulnerable, rather than engaging in traditional stylized combat, while the camera frequently “circles” the violence, intensifying its immersive and unsettling effect. While some critics praise this as a technical leap for Indian cinema,the blog author criticizes the film’s excessive gore and torture, arguing that it overshadows the story and raises ethical concerns.
