Can Dhurandhar bring Bollywood back to Box-Office glory?

Bollywood enters its final release window of the year with a rare mix of expectation, caution and hope riding on a single title: Aditya Dhar’s Dhurandhar (Part 1). The film has already captured the industry’s attention thanks to its enormous reported runtime — around three hours and thirty-two minutes — making it one of the longest mainstream Hindi films in years. The final duration will be locked in once clearance is completed by the Central Board of Film Certification.

A runtime of this scale is not accidental. It reflects the ambition of a filmmaker who is known for command over large-canvas narratives. His previous projects — Uri: The Surgical Strike, Article 370, Dhoom Dhaam and Baramulla — showcased his appetite for detailed, tightly constructed storytelling — and the expectation is that Dhurandhar will follow suit. The film has been structured in two parts, with Part 1 releasing on December 5, 2025, and the second chapter planned for mid-2026 — a clear signal that Dhar and his producers are betting on event-level theatrical engagement.

That confidence is shared by the business side. Producer and studio partner Tanuj Garg describes the film as perfectly timed and positioned:

“The last couple of years have seen unexpected sleeper hits and also films that everyone assumed would work, which did not. That said, Dhurandhar definitely holds an incredible amount of promise. So far in its communication, it has ticked all the right boxes. It is poised to be one of the most keenly awaited films of the year. Let’s hope it signs off the year on a happy note.”

This optimism is not simply about the movie — it is about what it represents.

After the success of Saiyaara — one of 2025’s biggest Hindi blockbusters with a reported ₹329.2 crore net in India (₹398.25 crore gross) and a worldwide gross around ₹579.23 crore. The industry seemed to have regained momentum. But the follow-through faltered. Highly advertised, franchise-driven films such as Baaghi 4 could not hold ground — the 2025 action-thriller reportedly grossed only around ₹66 crore worldwide. In a year defined by unpredictability, audiences appear more selective than ever — drawn to content-first but also hungry for theatrical spectacle.

This is precisely the gap Dhurandhar is expected to fill. Ranveer’s comeback—following the 2023 comedy flick Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahani, which grossed ₹355.61 crore worldwide—has positioned the film as the project many believe could cement his return to big-screen dominance.

Trade analyst Taran Adarsh articulates the importance of this moment:

“Dhurandhar is a very important film because a lot is riding on it in terms of money and expectations. There has not been a major hit after Saiyaara. The Hindi film industry needs a major success. Ideally, a film like this should open ₹20 crore plus because it is an action film. These films generally take a big start if the curiosity builds up.”

The film certainly has the star power to justify such an opening. The ensemble cast includes Ranveer Singh and Sara Arjun — the young actress reportedly playing the lead opposite him — along with Sanjay Dutt, Akshaye Khanna, R. Madhavan and Arjun Rampal, promising scale and muscular energy that are tailor-made for theatrical viewing.

But scale alone does not guarantee success. As trade insiders repeatedly emphasize, the storytelling must land. Veteran industry analyst Komal Nahta believes the early signs are promising:

“The expectations from Dhurandhar are tremendous. The star cast is formidable, the scale is massive, and the trailer has done the trick. The masses and younger audiences are sold. If the film is good, it can do wonders at the box office.”

The exhibition sector is also reading the trends closely. According to Sanjeev Kumar Bijli, Executive Director of PVR INOX Ltd., the energy inside theatres suggests a revival might already be underway:

“2025 has been the year where Indian cinema became audience-led. Sleeper hits like Saiyaara and Mahavatar Narsimha proved that relatable storytelling drives audiences. Dhurandhar stands as one of Bollywood’s most anticipated blockbusters. With Ranveer Singh’s return, a stellar ensemble and a festive release window, excitement is extremely high. We are backing it as a major year-end film for Bollywood — the signs are positive and the mood across our cinemas is strong.”

That confidence extends to international prospects. Film business expert Girish Johar underscores the film’s revenue potential:

“It’ll release on more than 4,000 screens globally. It has the potential to breach the ₹250-₹300 crore mark — even higher if word of mouth works. It should have a fantastic start in both domestic and overseas markets.”

The underlying message in all these assessments is unmistakable: Dhurandhar is not merely a release — it is a referendum on the future of Bollywood spectacle.

If the film delivers, it could restore investor confidence, revive premium theatrical consumption and reopen the path for large-format Hindi epics. Its success may even shape the genre slate for years ahead. If it falters, the indication could be sobering — scale without emotional resonance may no longer draw crowds.

For now, anticipation outweighs anxiety. Advance buzz is strong, the curiosity curve is rising, and the trailer has already signalled a cinematic world that justifies its length.

Whether Dhurandhar becomes Bollywood’s decisive comeback will not be determined by marketing campaigns but by audiences — the ultimate box-office judges — once the lights dim in cinema halls on December 5.