With just a day left for the release of the highly anticipated action spectacle Dhurandhar, starring Ranveer Singh, trade circles are abuzz with predictions about its opening day performance. Early trends indicate that the film is headed for a strong start, with industry experts estimating an opening of more than ₹20 crore. If these estimates hold true, the film could emerge as the biggest opener of Ranveer Singh’s career, surpassing the collections of his previous hits.
Advance booking sees a slow but steady start
As advance booking for Dhurandhar opened earlier this week, trade specialists noted a cautious beginning. Veteran trade analyst Taran Adarsh observed, “The advances have just started. I hope the momentum picks up, as it’s an expensive film, reportedly. The numbers have to match the scale of the film. Hence, the advance booking as well as day 1 is very important for a front-loaded action film like Dhurandhar. It has to take a solid start on the first day itself to set the ground.”
The sentiment was echoed by trade analyst Atul Mohan, who pointed out that the culture of booking tickets days in advance has seen a decline. He explained, “The advance booking isn’t much. It’s too early. The trend is not there of booking tickets days before release. A lot of films now get a walk-in audience and that’s what matters. Therefore, I feel we should not even be talking about advance. It’s an outdated concept now.”
Film business expert Girish Johar called the advance booking response “okay”, noting that while it may not be extraordinary, it is sufficient for a film banking on spontaneous viewing trends. “I am confident the audience will book tickets on the spot and watch the film,” he added.
High expectations riding on action and scale
The buzz around Dhurandhar has steadily grown due to its high-octane trailer and the promise of large-scale action. Ranveer Singh’s fan base, known for its enthusiasm, is expected to significantly drive footfalls on the first day.
Johar elaborated on this dynamic, stating, “The expectations are mammoth. It’s a full-blown action film. The trailer has been fantastically received. However, a certain section of the audience, namely the womenfolk, might feel alienated. But I do feel that Ranveer Singh’s fans will definitely throng the theatres.”
Day 1 box office predictions
The biggest question among trade watchers is whether Dhurandhar can surpass the highest opening of 2025 so far. Chhaava currently holds the record with ₹33.10 crore collected on its first day.
Addressing this comparison, Taran Adarsh said, “It’s too early to comment. Dhurandhar ideally should collect ₹30 crore plus. But right now, the trends indicate an opening of ₹20 crore plus. This gap exists as the advance booking has not caught on in a very big way. It needs to jump.”
Distributor and exhibitor Raj Bansal felt that breaching the Chhaava figure might be difficult, saying, “I doubt it’ll go past the number of Chhaava. I feel it’ll open in the range of ₹20–22 crore.” He added that in the current box office climate, such an opening would still be “very good”.
Atul Mohan also predicted an opening of around ₹20 crore, noting the strong credentials of director Aditya Dhar and Lokesh Dhar, whose previous films Uri: The Surgical Strike (2019) and Article 370 (2024) enjoyed tremendous audience support. “As a result, the audience will expect a lot from Dhurandhar as well,” he said.
Johar, though optimistic, believed the film’s target audience may affect initial numbers. “Chhaava had a much wider target audience. Dhurandhar seems to be targeted at a male audience. They are promoting the song to attract a wider section of moviegoers. But by and large, the audience has made up its mind. However, if word of mouth is excellent, anything can happen by evening.”
Positioned to become Ranveer Singh’s biggest opener
Ranveer Singh’s current highest opening is Padmaavat (2018), which earned ₹24 crore on day one. With box office dynamics having shifted significantly over the years, trade experts believe Dhurandhar has a credible chance of surpassing this figure.
Girish Johar stated confidently, “It’ll go past the opening of Padmaavat, Simmba (₹20.72 crore) and Gully Boy (₹19.40 crore) and is poised to be the biggest opener. As of now, ₹20 crore plus seems achievable.”
Taran Adarsh, however, suggested that comparisons with a 2018 release may not be entirely relevant, remarking that Dhurandhar needs to match the benchmarks set by more recent films.
Conclusion
As Dhurandhar heads for release, the film stands at the intersection of massive expectations, a star-driven narrative and a market sensitive to content and early reviews. With predictions hovering above ₹20 crore, all eyes are now on audience turnout and word of mouth. If the film delivers the punch promised by its trailer, it may not only become Ranveer Singh’s biggest opener but also one of the standout releases of the year.