Is ‘Dhurandhar’ finally finding its audience after a slow start? The Ranveer Singh and Akshaye Khanna thriller is showing signs of life at the box office, with a noticeable jump in collections over the weekend as it enters its sixth week.
The film, which had a quiet opening two months ago, is now benefiting from word-of-mouth and reduced competition in multiplexes. Saturday collections improved compared to the previous weekdays, suggesting that audiences are returning to cinemas for this particular title.
What’s driving the uptick?
Several factors are working in the film’s favour. First, it’s now playing in a significantly less crowded marketplace, with many big releases having already run their course. Second, the chemistry between Singh and Khanna appears to be resonating with audiences who appreciate crime thrillers with strong performances.
The film’s premise—a gripping tale involving financial crime and moral ambiguity—appeals to a specific section of viewers who prefer content-driven cinema over spectacle. That niche audience is proving loyal enough to sustain the film’s theatrical run.
The longer game
What’s remarkable here isn’t just the numbers, but what they represent. In today’s market, where most films either explode at the box office or disappear within two weeks, a slow-burn success story is becoming rarer. ‘Dhurandhar’ is defying that trend, proving that quality performances and tight storytelling can eventually find their market.
The growth on weekends compared to weekdays also indicates that the film is still attracting fresh footfalls, not just repeating audiences. That’s a positive sign for its longevity in cinemas.
For Ranveer Singh, this represents a departure from his usual mass-appeal roles. The actor has been experimenting with different genres, and ‘Dhurandhar’ shows he can carry a complex, character-driven narrative without relying on high-octane action sequences.
Akshaye Khanna, meanwhile, continues to prove why he remains one of Hindi cinema’s most underrated performers. His work in intense, dialogue-heavy films has always been dependable, and this project showcases that strength once again.
The film’s extended run at the box office might not grab headlines the way a ₹100-crore opening would, but it sends an important message to producers: audiences still value good storytelling and strong acting, even if they discover it weeks after release.
As ‘Dhurandhar’ continues to play in select theatres, the real question isn’t whether it will become a blockbuster—it probably won’t. Rather, it’s whether this film will earn enough to justify theatrical releases for similar content-driven projects in the future.