‘Dhurandhar,’ India’s New Movie About Islamic Terrorism, Is a Hit

Bollywood’s latest big-screen spectacle, Dhurandhar, isn’t just doing well — it’s dominating headlines, box office charts and public debate in India and even beyond. The spy action thriller, released on December 5, 2025, has resonated with audiences while triggering conversations about geopolitics, cinema and national identity.

Directed and co-produced by Aditya Dhar, known for Uri: The Surgical Strike, Dhurandhar stars Ranveer Singh alongside an ensemble cast that includes Akshaye Khanna, Sanjay Dutt, R. Madhavan, Arjun Rampal, Sara Arjun and Rakesh Bedi.

What sets Dhurandhar apart is its scope. Clocking in at 214 minutes — one of the longest runtimes for a Hindi film — it’s an ambitious spy thriller that blends historical reference with gritty, fictionalized storytelling.

A Box Office Juggernaut

This isn’t a modest hit — Dhurandhar is a phenom. It crossed an estimated ₹700 crore worldwide within two weeks of release and joined the prestigious ₹500 crore club domestically.

At its domestic peak, the movie was reportedly pulling ₹33 crore a day at the box office — figures few Hindi films can touch.

Industry insiders say its commercial success stems from a mix of mass-appeal storytelling, an all-star cast and the public’s appetite for patriotic cinema, especially in the spy and action genres. Despite competition from big Hollywood releases, Dhurandhar held its ground.

Narrative, Inspiration & Themes

On the surface, Dhurandhar is fiction: an Indian spy infiltrates criminal networks in Karachi as part of a covert operation tied to historic terror events ranging from the 1999 IC-814 hijack to the 26/11 Mumbai attacks.

While the film is not an exact retelling of any real figure’s life, it draws inspiration from real terror incidents and intelligence operations — blending fact with cinematic layering. The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) made this clear when it officially termed the movie as “a work of fiction,” a point reaffirmed amid legal debate before release.

This balance between reality and narrative gives Dhurandhar both texture and controversy: audiences come for the drama, but conversation quickly shifts to politics, history and perception.

Controversy & Censorship

Here’s where it gets complicated: Dhurandhar has become a flashpoint, dividing audiences and political leaders alike.

At home, several political parties criticised the movie for what they call an “overtly hyper-nationalist tone.” Others lauded it as gripping and ambitious storytelling.

India News Stream

Internationally, the film’s reception has been even more fraught. It was banned in six Gulf countries — including Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE — over concerns about its portrayal of Pakistan.

Bombay Times

That ban has cost the producers potential revenue from a major overseas market, but also amplified conversation around how cinema intersects with geopolitics.

Meanwhile, despite the official ban, Dhurandhar has exploded in popularity unofficially in Pakistan. Pirated copies have reportedly made it the most-pirated film there, a sign that restrictive policies haven’t stopped interest — and perhaps, curiosity about the narrative.

Even viral cultural moments emerged from that unofficial popularity, such as footage of Pakistan Peoples Party chief Bilawal Bhutto Zardari dancing to one of the film’s tracks — a knotty mix of pop culture and political subtext.

The Emotional Impact

Beyond politics and controversy, Dhurandhar is hitting audiences emotionally.

A poignant example: a survivor of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks publicly praised the movie for its visceral depiction of the events and what it meant to see a dramatization that honoured memory and horror alike.

That response speaks to why the movie resonates so deeply for many: it’s still about real trauma, and cinema has a unique way of crystallising those memories in images and sound.

Critical & Public Response

Critics have been mixed-to-positive. Praise goes to the main performances — especially Ranveer Singh’s intense portrayal — and the film’s scale. But some reviewers note the length and violence make it a demanding watch.

On social platforms, reactions vary wildly. Fans call it a must-watch, while sceptics accuse it of veering into propaganda territory. Others argue much of that critique is audience reaction, not cinematic fact — that storytelling choices can be interpreted in multiple ways.

What’s clear is this: Dhurandhar isn’t a quiet film. It sparks talk not just about cinema, but about identity, historical memory, national safety and how all that gets shown on a screen.

What’s Next

Dhurandhar is only the first part of a two-film journey. A sequel — Dhurandhar: Part 2 – Revenge — is scheduled for release in March 2026, with much of the original cast returning.

Given the box office returns and ongoing debate, expectations for the follow-up are high. Studios and audiences alike will watch closely to see whether it leans further into geopolitical drama, expands character arcs, or takes the story in new directions.

Why Dhurandhar Matters

In many ways, the success of Dhurandhar reveals a broader shift in modern Indian cinema: audiences want more than spectacle. They want stories that engage with history, conflict and identity. They want films that feel risky, culturally relevant, and capable of sparking conversation far beyond the screen.

Whether you view Dhurandhar as a thrilling spy epic, a political statement, or something in between, its impact is undeniable — and in an era where cinema and real-world tensions often overlap, that’s exactly what makes it a hit.