Mumbai: Filmmaker Aditya Dhar has rewritten Bollywood box-office history with his Dhurandhar franchise, as its two films have collectively crossed ₹3,000 crore worldwide. The achievement positions the series as one of the highest-grossing film franchises in Indian cinema, rivaling the long-established YRF Spy Universe.
With just two films released within a span of three months, the Dhurandhar franchise has rapidly emerged as a dominant force, outperforming expectations and reshaping industry benchmarks.
Record-breaking box office performance
The first Dhurandhar film, starring Ranveer Singh, released in December and became both a critical and commercial success. It collected around ₹841 crore net in India and crossed approximately ₹1,300 crore globally by the end of its theatrical run.
The sequel, Dhurandhar: The Revenge, released in March, shattered multiple records. It became the first Hindi film to net ₹100 crore in a single day, achieving the milestone three times during its opening weekend.
Within a week, the sequel crossed ₹1,000 crore, and as of mid-April, it has earned over ₹1,700 crore worldwide. Combined, the two films have taken the franchise’s total beyond ₹3,000 crore, with estimates reaching up to ₹3,110 crore.
Surpassing iconic Indian franchises
The Dhurandhar series has overtaken some of India’s biggest film franchises. The Baahubali films, directed by S. S. Rajamouli, had long held the top position with a combined gross of over ₹2,400 crore.
Similarly, the Pushpa series starring Allu Arjun came close with around ₹2,100 crore but could not surpass Baahubali.
Dhurandhar has now exceeded both, achieving the milestone in record time with just two films.
How it challenged the YRF Spy Universe
Unlike the YRF Spy Universe, which evolved gradually, Dhurandhar was conceptualised as a cohesive franchise from the outset. The YRF Spy Universe includes films like Pathaan, War, and the Tiger series, starring actors such as Shah Rukh Khan, Hrithik Roshan, and Salman Khan.
While that universe spans multiple films and stars, Dhurandhar’s focused storytelling and back-to-back releases helped it quickly close the gap in total collections.
Industry experts note that delays in upcoming YRF projects and underperformance of certain releases have also contributed to Dhurandhar’s rapid rise. Although the YRF Spy Universe still remains slightly ahead in overall earnings, the margin is narrowing significantly.
What makes Dhurandhar a success
Directed by Aditya Dhar, the Dhurandhar films revolve around an Indian spy infiltrating terror networks across borders. The franchise combines high-octane action with strong emotional storytelling and music, which has resonated with audiences.
Apart from Ranveer Singh, the films feature a strong ensemble cast including R. Madhavan, Akshaye Khanna, Arjun Rampal, Sanjay Dutt, and others.
While the first film received critical acclaim, the sequel saw more mixed reviews. However, both films performed exceptionally well at the box office, proving the franchise’s mass appeal.
What lies ahead
With rumours of further instalments and expanding storylines, Dhurandhar could soon become India’s biggest film franchise. Meanwhile, the YRF Spy Universe is expected to release new projects, including a female-led spy thriller, which could reignite competition.
Conclusion
Aditya Dhar’s Dhurandhar has achieved what few franchises have managed—combining critical success with massive commercial appeal in a short span. By crossing ₹3,000 crore with just two films, it has set a new benchmark for Bollywood franchises. As the battle for box-office dominance continues, Dhurandhar’s rapid rise signals a shift in how cinematic universes are built and consumed in India.