Mumbai: Ranveer Singh-starrer Dhurandhar has achieved a major milestone at the global box office, emerging as the highest-grossing Bollywood film of all time in North America. The Aditya Dhar-directed spy action thriller has overtaken the lifetime collections of Shah Rukh Khan’s Pathaan, underlining its extraordinary theatrical run and cementing its status as one of the most successful Indian films overseas.

According to industry tracking figures, Dhurandhar crossed the USD 17.50 million mark in North America by the end of its fourth Tuesday in cinemas. This pushed it past Pathaan, which had concluded its run in the region with USD 17.49 million. With this feat, Dhurandhar now stands as the biggest Bollywood grosser ever in the North American market.

Record-breaking North American run

The film’s performance in North America has been nothing short of exceptional. Sustaining strong weekday collections well into its fourth week, Dhurandhar has shown remarkable holding power, a factor usually associated with word-of-mouth-driven blockbusters rather than front-loaded releases.

Trade analysts point out that the film benefited from a strong opening weekend, followed by steady daily earnings driven by repeat audiences and positive audience feedback. Multiplex chains across the United States and Canada reported high occupancy rates, especially during evening and weekend shows, even as newer releases entered the market.

By surpassing Pathaan, which was widely regarded as the benchmark for Bollywood success in overseas territories, Dhurandhar has rewritten expectations for Hindi cinema in North America.

Among the biggest Indian films overseas

With its current numbers, Dhurandhar has also become the third highest-grossing Indian film of all time in North America, across languages. Only Baahubali 2: The Conclusion, which earned over USD 20 million, and Kalki 2898 AD, with collections exceeding USD 18.50 million, are ahead of it.

Trade experts believe that Dhurandhar still has enough momentum to overtake Kalki 2898 AD in the coming days, which would make it the second biggest Indian film ever in the region. While surpassing Baahubali 2 remains a tougher target due to the scale of its lifetime earnings, analysts say it cannot be ruled out entirely given the film’s current trend.

A global phenomenon beyond expectations

The North American success mirrors the film’s performance in other key overseas markets, including the United Kingdom, Australia and parts of the Middle East. Internationally, Dhurandhar has consistently posted strong numbers, often setting new daily and weekly records for a Hindi film.

At the domestic box office as well, the film has enjoyed a historic run. In India, it has registered massive footfalls in metros as well as Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, driven by a mix of action, scale and star power. Industry estimates suggest that the film is on track to challenge several long-standing domestic box office records, including the title of the highest-grossing Hindi film of all time in India.

Ranveer Singh’s career-defining moment

For Ranveer Singh, Dhurandhar marks one of the biggest achievements of his career. Known for his versatility and high-energy performances, the actor has received praise for anchoring a large-scale spy thriller while delivering a restrained yet intense performance.

The film’s success has further strengthened Singh’s standing as a bankable star, particularly in overseas markets where Bollywood’s performance often depends on strong recall value and global appeal.

Aditya Dhar’s vision pays off

Director Aditya Dhar, who previously delivered a blockbuster with Uri: The Surgical Strike, has once again struck gold. His blend of stylised action, geopolitical themes and emotional depth appears to have resonated with audiences across borders.

Trade circles note that Dhurandhar benefited from a well-planned international release strategy, including wide screen counts in North America, aggressive promotions, and effective use of social media buzz among the Indian diaspora.

What lies ahead

With no immediate signs of a slowdown, Dhurandhar is expected to add further to its North American total over the coming weeks. Industry watchers predict that the film will comfortably finish as the second highest-grossing Indian film in the region, with a realistic shot at narrowing the gap with Baahubali 2.

As Bollywood continues to expand its footprint overseas, Dhurandhar stands as a landmark release that has redefined the commercial potential of Hindi cinema in one of its most important international markets.

Conclusion

Dhurandhar’s rise to the top of the North American box office is a testament to changing audience dynamics, strong storytelling and star-driven appeal. By overtaking Pathaan and entering the elite list of the biggest Indian films overseas, the film has set a new benchmark that future Bollywood releases will aim to surpass.