5 reasons why Dhurandhar 2 dethroning Dangal sounds good for Indian cinema
As Dhurandhar 2 eyes Dangal's long-standing box office record as the highest-grossing film in India, what would a new-era blockbuster topping the charts mean for Indian cinema's growth?
For nearly a decade now, Dangal has remained the undisputed benchmark of Indian cinema’s box office success. Released in December 2016 and later dominating the global stage with a historic China run in 2017, the Aamir Khan-starrer set a precedent that no Indian film has come close to matching yet.
Although several big-ticket releases have attempted to wrest Dangal's throne, none have managed to replicate the film's scale of international success. But as conversations around Dhurandhar: The Revenge begin to gather momentum, a larger question emerges—what would it mean for Indian cinema if a film from the current decade finally dethrones Dangal?
The Numbers
(According to the trade website Sacnilk)
Dangal (Lifetime)
Worldwide Collections: Rs 2070 cr
India Nett Collections: Rs 387 cr
India Gross Collections: Rs 535 cr
Overseas Collection: Rs 1,535 cr
Dhurandhar: The Revenge (As of day 13)
Worldwide Collections: Rs 1,435 cr
India Nett Collections: Rs 900 cr
India Gross Collections: Rs 1,077 cr
Overseas Collection: Rs 358 cr
So, what happens if Dhurandhar 2 indeed busts the record of Dangal? The answer lies not just in numbers, but in what such a potential shift represents for the industry at large.
1. A new-era film at the top reflects growth
Cinema is constantly evolving, and box office records often serve as markers of that evolution. Dangal’s dominance has been remarkable, but it also reflects the context of its time—particularly its unprecedented success in China, which significantly boosted its global collections, with approximately 62.5 per cent of the total collections coming from the region. While that achievement remains historic, the industry has since undergone a transformation in storytelling, production scale, and audience expectations.
A film like Dhurandhar: The Revenge, which is rooted in contemporary filmmaking sensibilities, rising from within the current decade to challenge that record, signals growth. It indicates that Indian cinema is no longer relying on one exceptional global breakout, but is consistently producing films that resonate strongly with audiences across the world, as well as within its own borders. The fact that viewers are backing a film driven not just by action and dynamism but by content, scale and emotional connect, shows a shift towards more holistic success metrics.
2. A stronger domestic benchmark reshapes the narrative
One of the biggest talking points, in the comparison between Dangal and big earners released after the Aamir Khan film, has been the difference between domestic and international earnings.
While Dangal’s India numbers were impressive, with Rs 535 cr gross, its global collection (over Rs 1900 crore), led by the film's China intake, played a decisive role in making it the highest-grossing Indian film of all time.
In contrast, Dhurandhar: The Revenge has demonstrated an extraordinary run at the Indian box office. The film has already outperformed several major hits and currently sits among the top three grossers in India, while Dangal does not feature in the top fifteen of domestic collections. This shift is significant because it redefines what success looks like for Indian films. In 2024, the rock-steady domestic box office record of Baahubali 2: The Conclusion was broken by Pushpa 2: The Rule.
If Dhurandhar: The Revenge were to surpass both these films and eventually Dangal, it would place greater emphasis on sustained domestic performance and audience engagement within India. It would validate the idea that a film can achieve all-time status without being overly dependent on a single international market, thereby strengthening the industry’s core. It also implies that the Indian market holds the power to reach greater heights in terms of box office collections, as long as the content resonates with the audience.
3. Promising overseas performance indicates wider reach
That said, the overseas market continues to play a crucial role in determining a film’s global footprint. What makes Dhurandhar: The Revenge particularly interesting is its strong performance across multiple international territories, rather than reliance on one dominant region. One of the biggest overseas achievements came in North America, where the Dhurandhar sequel grossed about USD 22.9 million (more than Rs 213 crore) and beat the long-standing regional benchmark held by Baahubali 2.
The film opened big in several other overseas markets as well, reflecting a growing and more diversified audience for Indian cinema. This is a positive sign, as it suggests that films are finding acceptance across cultures and geographies, which means quality films can sustain without a singular breakout market like China or the Gulf region.
If Dhurandhar: The Revenge builds on this momentum, it could redefine the overseas strategy for Indian films—encouraging wider releases, stronger marketing, and more universal storytelling that appeals to global audiences. Such a shift could make the industry less vulnerable to fluctuations in any one territory and more resilient overall.
4. The rise of two new stars; an actor and a filmmaker
Another crucial factor in this potential transition is the emergence of a new generation of stars and filmmakers. Dangal was led by Aamir Khan, one of Indian cinema’s most established and influential actors, whose global recognition played a key role in the film’s success.
In contrast, the rise of films like Dhurandhar: The Revenge points to a changing dynamic. The industry is no longer solely dependent on legacy superstars to deliver massive hits. Actors like Vicky Kaushal with Chhaava, Ranbir Kapoor with Animal, and now Ranveer Singh with the Dhurandhar franchise represent a new wave of performers who are redefining stardom.
Ranveer, in particular, seems to have tapped into a powerful commercial space with Dhurandhar, positioning himself as a bankable force capable of leading large-scale blockbusters.
At the same time, director Aditya Dhar has quietly built an impressive track record. After delivering a blockbuster with Uri: The Surgical Strike, he has strengthened his credibility further with the Dhurandhar films, establishing himself as a filmmaker who understands both scale and storytelling.
This combination of emerging stars and dependable directors signals a healthy shift in the industry, where success is driven by talent, vision, and audience connect rather than just legacy.
5. A trendsetter for the next phase of Indian cinema
When Dangal released, it changed perceptions about what a mainstream Hindi film could achieve globally. It moved beyond song-and-dance spectacles and proved that strong storytelling could resonate universally. In many ways, it set a new template.
Now, Dhurandhar appears to be initiating a similar shift, albeit in a different direction. It combines mass appeal with strong narrative elements, creating a film that is both commercially viable and widely appreciated.
If Dhurandhar: The Revenge manages to surpass Dangal, it could mark the beginning of a new cycle in Indian cinema -- one that would prioritise content-driven spectacles. It would encourage filmmakers to push boundaries while staying rooted in stories that connect with audiences across demographics.
A changing of the guard
Ultimately, the idea of Dhurandhar: The Revenge dethroning Dangal is not about diminishing the latter’s legacy. Dangal will always remain a landmark film that opened doors for Indian cinema on the global stage. However, every industry needs new milestones to strive towards. Records are made to be broken.
A new film taking the top spot would symbolise progress—a reminder that Indian cinema is evolving. It would reflect the industry’s ability to adapt, innovate, and grow with changing times. In that sense, the rise of Dhurandhar is less about competition and more about continuity. It represents the next chapter in Indian cinema’s journey—one where new voices, new stars, and new stories come together to redefine what success truly looks like.
Even with all the momentum the Ranveer Singh-starrer carries, achieving the task of overtaking Dangal’s box office record is no cakewalk. Will Dhurandhar: The Revenge be able to add the ultimate milestone under its feather? We’ll know soon enough!
For nearly a decade now, Dangal has remained the undisputed benchmark of Indian cinema’s box office success. Released in December 2016 and later dominating the global stage with a historic China run in 2017, the Aamir Khan-starrer set a precedent that no Indian film has come close to matching yet.
Although several big-ticket releases have attempted to wrest Dangal's throne, none have managed to replicate the film's scale of international success. But as conversations around Dhurandhar: The Revenge begin to gather momentum, a larger question emerges—what would it mean for Indian cinema if a film from the current decade finally dethrones Dangal?
The Numbers
(According to the trade website Sacnilk)
Dangal (Lifetime)
Worldwide Collections: Rs 2070 cr
India Nett Collections: Rs 387 cr
India Gross Collections: Rs 535 cr
Overseas Collection: Rs 1,535 cr
Dhurandhar: The Revenge (As of day 13)
Worldwide Collections: Rs 1,435 cr
India Nett Collections: Rs 900 cr
India Gross Collections: Rs 1,077 cr
Overseas Collection: Rs 358 cr
So, what happens if Dhurandhar 2 indeed busts the record of Dangal? The answer lies not just in numbers, but in what such a potential shift represents for the industry at large.
1. A new-era film at the top reflects growth
Cinema is constantly evolving, and box office records often serve as markers of that evolution. Dangal’s dominance has been remarkable, but it also reflects the context of its time—particularly its unprecedented success in China, which significantly boosted its global collections, with approximately 62.5 per cent of the total collections coming from the region. While that achievement remains historic, the industry has since undergone a transformation in storytelling, production scale, and audience expectations.
A film like Dhurandhar: The Revenge, which is rooted in contemporary filmmaking sensibilities, rising from within the current decade to challenge that record, signals growth. It indicates that Indian cinema is no longer relying on one exceptional global breakout, but is consistently producing films that resonate strongly with audiences across the world, as well as within its own borders. The fact that viewers are backing a film driven not just by action and dynamism but by content, scale and emotional connect, shows a shift towards more holistic success metrics.
2. A stronger domestic benchmark reshapes the narrative
One of the biggest talking points, in the comparison between Dangal and big earners released after the Aamir Khan film, has been the difference between domestic and international earnings.
While Dangal’s India numbers were impressive, with Rs 535 cr gross, its global collection (over Rs 1900 crore), led by the film's China intake, played a decisive role in making it the highest-grossing Indian film of all time.
In contrast, Dhurandhar: The Revenge has demonstrated an extraordinary run at the Indian box office. The film has already outperformed several major hits and currently sits among the top three grossers in India, while Dangal does not feature in the top fifteen of domestic collections. This shift is significant because it redefines what success looks like for Indian films. In 2024, the rock-steady domestic box office record of Baahubali 2: The Conclusion was broken by Pushpa 2: The Rule.
If Dhurandhar: The Revenge were to surpass both these films and eventually Dangal, it would place greater emphasis on sustained domestic performance and audience engagement within India. It would validate the idea that a film can achieve all-time status without being overly dependent on a single international market, thereby strengthening the industry’s core. It also implies that the Indian market holds the power to reach greater heights in terms of box office collections, as long as the content resonates with the audience.
3. Promising overseas performance indicates wider reach
That said, the overseas market continues to play a crucial role in determining a film’s global footprint. What makes Dhurandhar: The Revenge particularly interesting is its strong performance across multiple international territories, rather than reliance on one dominant region. One of the biggest overseas achievements came in North America, where the Dhurandhar sequel grossed about USD 22.9 million (more than Rs 213 crore) and beat the long-standing regional benchmark held by Baahubali 2.
The film opened big in several other overseas markets as well, reflecting a growing and more diversified audience for Indian cinema. This is a positive sign, as it suggests that films are finding acceptance across cultures and geographies, which means quality films can sustain without a singular breakout market like China or the Gulf region.
If Dhurandhar: The Revenge builds on this momentum, it could redefine the overseas strategy for Indian films—encouraging wider releases, stronger marketing, and more universal storytelling that appeals to global audiences. Such a shift could make the industry less vulnerable to fluctuations in any one territory and more resilient overall.
4. The rise of two new stars; an actor and a filmmaker
Another crucial factor in this potential transition is the emergence of a new generation of stars and filmmakers. Dangal was led by Aamir Khan, one of Indian cinema’s most established and influential actors, whose global recognition played a key role in the film’s success.
In contrast, the rise of films like Dhurandhar: The Revenge points to a changing dynamic. The industry is no longer solely dependent on legacy superstars to deliver massive hits. Actors like Vicky Kaushal with Chhaava, Ranbir Kapoor with Animal, and now Ranveer Singh with the Dhurandhar franchise represent a new wave of performers who are redefining stardom.
Ranveer, in particular, seems to have tapped into a powerful commercial space with Dhurandhar, positioning himself as a bankable force capable of leading large-scale blockbusters.
At the same time, director Aditya Dhar has quietly built an impressive track record. After delivering a blockbuster with Uri: The Surgical Strike, he has strengthened his credibility further with the Dhurandhar films, establishing himself as a filmmaker who understands both scale and storytelling.
This combination of emerging stars and dependable directors signals a healthy shift in the industry, where success is driven by talent, vision, and audience connect rather than just legacy.
5. A trendsetter for the next phase of Indian cinema
When Dangal released, it changed perceptions about what a mainstream Hindi film could achieve globally. It moved beyond song-and-dance spectacles and proved that strong storytelling could resonate universally. In many ways, it set a new template.
Now, Dhurandhar appears to be initiating a similar shift, albeit in a different direction. It combines mass appeal with strong narrative elements, creating a film that is both commercially viable and widely appreciated.
If Dhurandhar: The Revenge manages to surpass Dangal, it could mark the beginning of a new cycle in Indian cinema -- one that would prioritise content-driven spectacles. It would encourage filmmakers to push boundaries while staying rooted in stories that connect with audiences across demographics.
A changing of the guard
Ultimately, the idea of Dhurandhar: The Revenge dethroning Dangal is not about diminishing the latter’s legacy. Dangal will always remain a landmark film that opened doors for Indian cinema on the global stage. However, every industry needs new milestones to strive towards. Records are made to be broken.
A new film taking the top spot would symbolise progress—a reminder that Indian cinema is evolving. It would reflect the industry’s ability to adapt, innovate, and grow with changing times. In that sense, the rise of Dhurandhar is less about competition and more about continuity. It represents the next chapter in Indian cinema’s journey—one where new voices, new stars, and new stories come together to redefine what success truly looks like.
Even with all the momentum the Ranveer Singh-starrer carries, achieving the task of overtaking Dangal’s box office record is no cakewalk. Will Dhurandhar: The Revenge be able to add the ultimate milestone under its feather? We’ll know soon enough!
