Following its remarkable success at the box office, where it earned over Rs 1,307.35 crore globally, the film Dhurandhar (2025) achieved significant recognition at the Chetak Screen Awards 2026, taking home a total of 14 awards. Notable accolades included Best Actor (Male) for Ranveer Singh, Best Director for Aditya Dhar, and Best Supporting Actor (Male) for Akshaye Khanna. This achievement is particularly gratifying for the franchise, especially as its sequel, Dhurandhar: The Revenge, continues to perform exceptionally well, accumulating over Rs 1,600 crore, which positions it as the fourth-highest-grossing Indian film in history.
The franchise has garnered considerable acclaim, not just from audiences but also from industry experts. Some, including filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma, have even drawn parallels between Dhurandhar and the classic Indian film Sholay (1975), which is regarded as a landmark in Indian cinema. However, the films have also faced substantial criticism, with allegations of propagandistic themes being a common point of contention.
Actor and BJP member Ravi Kishan, representing Gorakhpur in the Lok Sabha, has publicly supported the Dhurandhar franchise. He remarked that the films have revitalized the film industry with their artistic merit. In an interview with Hindustan Times, he expressed his disapproval of the labeling of the films as propaganda, stating, “It is incorrect to categorize them in that way! Actors from the South have openly supported this. A new trend has emerged where films are labeled as propaganda – people have caught a new pigeon!”
Kishan emphasized that the stories are derived from real-life events, presented cinematically, and he believes the resurgence in cinema attendance should be celebrated. He noted, “The industry was in a dire state; the Bhojpuri film sector was nearly at a standstill! This has been a boon for the industry, providing livelihoods for countless individuals.” He also highlighted the importance of cinema reflecting societal truths, advocating for a reevaluation of historical narratives that have been overlooked.
Veteran actor Paresh Rawal, another BJP member and former MP for Ahmedabad East, recently expressed his admiration for the Dhurandhar films. He conveyed regret over not having the chance to participate in the series, describing it as a “saga.” In a statement to the news agency PTI, he shared, “I have seen both Dhurandhar films multiple times; I would like to watch them again. I feel I should have been part of this project.”
Rawal further elaborated on his appreciation of the film, stating, “I truly liked Dhurandhar; it transcends mere filmmaking. For the first time, I felt I should have been involved.” He previously collaborated with director Aditya Dhar on the film Uri, where he played a role inspired by Ajit Doval.
Featuring an ensemble cast that includes Ranveer Singh, Arjun Rampal, Sanjay Dutt, R. Madhavan, Sara Arjun, Rakesh Bedi, Gaurav Gera, and Danish Pandor, Dhurandhar 2 has raked in Rs 1,605.74 crore globally, as per industry tracker Sacnilk. It is currently behind Pushpa 2: The Rule (Rs 1,742.10 crore), Baahubali 2: The Conclusion (Rs 1,788.06 crore), and Dangal (Rs 2,070.3 crore) in terms of earnings. Despite entering its third week in theaters, the spy action film continues to generate over Rs 20 crore daily in the domestic market, with an Indian net collection of Rs 1,013.77 crore as of Sunday, April 5.
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