Ranveer Singh and Aditya Dhar’s Dhurandhar franchise has rewritten the rules of success in Indian cinema, emerging as the first film series to cross an incredible Rs 3000 crore mark worldwide. While audiences celebrated the film’s massive box office performance, filmmaker Kunal Kohli has now revealed a surprising truth about the industry’s reaction before its release.
According to Kunal Kohli, many influential names in the film industry did not believe in Dhurandhar’s success. In fact, several top directors predicted that the film would fail within days of its release. Despite such negative expectations, the film proved everyone wrong and went on to become one of the biggest blockbusters ever.
The first part of the franchise, released in December 2025, collected an impressive Rs 1300 crore globally. Building on that momentum, the sequel Dhurandhar: The Revenge, which hit theatres in March 2026, earned a staggering Rs 1700 crore. Together, the two films created history by becoming the highest-grossing Indian franchise.
Kunal Kohli shared that he personally spoke to some of the biggest filmmakers in the industry, and most of them doubted the film’s potential. Many believed that the movie would struggle after its opening weekend and fail to sustain its performance. However, the reality turned out to be completely different, as the film continued to perform strongly even after the first Monday, which is usually considered a crucial test for box office stability.
He emphasized that the lack of industry support does not determine a film’s fate. According to him, Dhurandhar is a perfect example of how audience acceptance matters more than insider opinions. Even without strong backing from the industry, the film connected with viewers and delivered extraordinary results.
Kunal Kohli also pointed out that this is not a new trend in Bollywood. He mentioned that similar reactions were seen in the past as well, including during the release of his own film Hum Tum. Despite receiving a lukewarm response from industry insiders during preview screenings, the film eventually became a major success once it reached the audience.
He recalled how he felt disappointed after the initial reactions to Hum Tum, but later received encouraging news about its strong performance in theatres. This experience reinforced his belief that audience response plays the most important role in determining a film’s success, rather than early opinions within the industry.
The filmmaker further added that even other big films have faced similar skepticism. He cited the example of Sunny Deol’s Border 2, which was also not expected to perform well initially. However, the film went on to achieve significant box office numbers, proving that predictions are often unreliable.
The Dhurandhar franchise stands out not only for its record-breaking earnings but also for its scale and storytelling. With a combined runtime of over seven hours across two parts, the films managed to keep audiences engaged with their gripping narrative, powerful performances, and high production value.
Ranveer Singh’s performance has been widely appreciated, adding to his growing reputation as one of the most bankable stars in the industry. The film also featured a strong supporting cast, including Akshaye Khanna, Arjun Rampal, R Madhavan, Sanjay Dutt, and others, who contributed significantly to its success.
Apart from its box office achievements, the film generated massive buzz on social media. From viral clips to fan discussions and trending debates, Dhurandhar became a cultural phenomenon. Its impact extended beyond theatres, creating a strong presence across digital platforms and keeping audiences engaged for months.
The success of Dhurandhar highlights an important shift in the film industry, where audience preferences are becoming more powerful than industry predictions. It also reflects the growing scale of Indian cinema, with films now achieving global recognition and record-breaking collections.
With its massive earnings, strong performances, and widespread popularity, the Dhurandhar franchise has set a new benchmark for future films. It has proven that content, storytelling, and audience connection are the key drivers of success, regardless of initial skepticism.
Kunal Kohli’s revelations offer a rare insight into the realities of Bollywood, showing that even the biggest films can face doubt before release. However, Dhurandhar’s journey demonstrates that true success ultimately depends on how well a film resonates with its audience.
