Top 5 Highest-Grossing A-Rated Indian Films Worldwide: 'Dhurandhar' Chasing the Lead

Indian films have achieved remarkable success at the global box office in recent years, with numerous productions surpassing the 500 crore mark. This level of achievement, once considered rare before the COVID-19 pandemic, has become more attainable as audiences seek large-scale entertainment with significant theatrical appeal.

That said, the reality is a bit more complicated. films rated A (adults-only) still face considerable challenges in achieving box office success. These films often navigate limitations such as restricted audiences, fewer family viewers, and potentially controversial themes. Consequently, setting records in this category is a difficult task.

Despite these obstacles, some A-rated Indian films have occasionally defied expectations, redefining what is commercially possible for adult-oriented cinema. Several such films in recent years have achieved significant box office success, demonstrating that audiences are willing to embrace these movies if they offer compelling content worth their time and money.

Here are the top 5 highest-grossing A-rated Indian films worldwide:

1. *Animal* (Hindi, 2023) - ₹915 crore
2. Director: Sandeep Reddy Vanga
3. Starring: Ranbir Kapoor, Rashmika Mandanna, Anil Kapoor, Bobby Deol
4. This action drama, *Animal*, known for its violence and divisive themes, centers on father-son relationships. It defied conventional filmmaking approaches and achieved unprecedented global gross, proving that controversy, when combined with scale and conviction, can drive commercial success. *Animal* set a high benchmark for A-rated films.

1. *Dhurandhar* (Hindi, 2025) - ₹675 crore (in 13 days)
2. Director: Aditya Dhar
3. Starring: Ranveer Singh, Sanjay Dutt, Akshaye Khanna, R. Madhavan, Arjun Rampal, Sara Arjun, Rakesh Bedi
4. Dhurandhar*, still running in theaters, is currently reshaping the landscape. Driven by a powerful central performance, intense action, and an uncompromising tone, the film has already reached major global milestones. It is rapidly approaching the all-time A-rated record, and if its current momentum continues, it could surpass *Animal* and potentially enter the ₹1000 crore club for A-rated movies.

1. *Salaar Part 1: Ceasefire* (Telugu, 2023) - ₹618 crores
2. Director: Prashanth Neel
3. Starring: Prabhas, Prithviraj Sukumaran, Shruti Haasan
4. Salaar: Ceasefire*, a dark and intense action spectacle, was considered by some to have underperformed despite its substantial earnings. That said, the reality is a bit more complicated. this A-rated film, led by Prabhas, achieved significant global box office success, boosted by strong openings across various regions and broad audience appeal.

1. *Coolie* (Tamil, 2025) - ₹519 crores
2. Director: Lokesh Kanagaraj
3. Starring: Rajinikanth, Nagarjuna, Shruti Haasan, Upendra, Aamir Khan
4. The adult rating of *Coolie* was unexpected and ultimately limited its overall potential. Headlined by Rajinikanth, the film combined gritty storytelling with commercial elements. Despite mixed reviews, *Coolie* still managed to cross the ₹500 crore milestone.

1. *Kabir Singh* (Hindi, 2019) - ₹377 crores
2. Director: Sandeep Reddy Vanga
3. Starring: Shahid Kapoor, Kiara Advani
4. Kabir Singh* paved the way for the era of large-scale, A-rated action films. The film, driven by its intense romance, flawed protagonist, and strong emotional resonance, became the highest-grossing adult-certified film of its time, setting the stage for future successes in the genre.