Dhurandhar: The spy who came in with Rs 33 crore a day

The multi-starrer film *Dhurandhar* has achieved remarkable success, setting a new standard for spy films in Bollywood, according to writers, producers, distributors, and exhibitors. Box-office research firm Sacnilk reports that the film has grossed ₹437.3 crore (India net) in just 13 days since its release, which translates to an average daily collection of ₹33.6 crore.

Trade analysts estimate the film's budget for its two parts to be between ₹250 crore and ₹350 crore. *Dhurandhar* is currently the second highest-grossing film of 2025 in India, following *Chhaava*, which earned ₹716.9 crore.

According to writer and investigative journalist Anirudhya Mitra, a significant factor in *Dhurandhar*'s success is its divergence from typical Hindi spy films. Mitra noted, "In Bollywood, spy films have often been cheaper and tackier versions of James Bond movies. The makers of *Dhurandhar* have consciously avoided that path, rewriting the grammar of the spy genre in Bollywood." He further added, "The film is mounted extremely well. Its sound, production design, and cinematography make it a far more credible spy film. It almost feels like a Pakistani film with an Indian character—something audiences have not seen before."

The filmmakers believe that the film's detailed storytelling has deeply resonated with viewers.

Jyoti Deshpande, president of Jio Studios, a producer of the film, stated that "Today's audience rejects lazy storytelling. They appreciate rigour in narratives and depth in character development. *Dhurandhar* recognises this." Deshpande also noted the film "stays away from the usual Hindi spy trope of romance between agents from rival countries ending in a happy-ever-after."

Distributors have pointed out that the film's structure has also played a vital role in its success.

Distributor and trade analyst Shaaminder Malik said, "It is a smartly made film. While the facts may not be entirely accurate, what truly works is its structure." He added, "Challenges such as shrinking attention spans and the lack of authenticity in contemporary films are addressed by presenting *Dhurandhar* as a series of interlinked short films and by blending fact with fiction through the use of real and fictional characters." Malik also noted that *Dhurandhar*'s director, Aditya Dhar, has incorporated gangster-genre elements with spy elements, creating a new universe of larger-than-life characters.