Ever since Dhurandhar: The Revenge hit screens on March 19 this year, the box office conversation has revolved around it – its record-breaking run, the benchmarks it has set, and how far it can ultimately go. Among its many notable achievements is its sustained theatrical run of over a month.
The Aditya Dhar directorial is currently in its sixth weekend, having completed 36 days at the box office – a rare feat achieved by only a handful of films in India, especially in the post-Covid era, where the industry remains dynamic and volatile, making trends hard to sustain.
What makes this run even more significant is that Dhurandhar 2 has delivered exceptional numbers worldwide without a release in China or the Gulf markets. Its 35-day global performance becomes even more impressive when compared with other films – only Baahubali 2: The Conclusion grossed more than Dhurandhar 2 in the same time frame. The key difference is that the SS Rajamouli directorial had the advantage of a simultaneous release in UAE markets.
Notably, all the top 10 highest-grossing Indian films worldwide have enjoyed runs of over 30 days at the box office. However, it should be noted that Dangal earned a major share of its global revenue from China, while Baahubali 2 ran for over 100 days in Japan and more than four weeks in China, pushing their worldwide totals beyond Rs 1,500 crore. Dhurandhar: The Revenge hasn’t been able to enjoy these markets yet and yet its collection is as significant as them.
Top 10 highest-grossing Indian films worldwide and their theatrical runs (Source: Sacnilk):
- Dangal: Rs 2,070 crore – 50 days initially, then over 50 days in China alone
- Baahubali 2 The Conclusion: Rs 1788.06 crore – 100 days initially and over two weeks in China
- Pushpa 2 The Rule: Rs 1,742.10 crore – 50 days worldwide
- Dhurandhar 2: Rs 1,766.06 crore (36 days and running)
- Dhurandhar: Rs 1,354.84 crore – 100 days worldwide
- RRR: Rs 1,230 crore – 50 days initially, then over 560 days in Japan alone
- KGF Chapter 2: Rs 1,215 crore – 100 days worldwide
- Jawan: Rs 1,160 crore – 50 days worldwide
- Pathaan: Rs 1,055 crore – 50 days worldwide
- Kalki 2898 AD: Rs 1,042.25 crore – 50 days worldwide
Traditionally, Indian cinema thrived on long theatrical runs, with the 100-day mark considered a benchmark of success. Films like Mughal-E-Azam, Sholay and Barsaat set early standards by running for 100 days or more in India. Later, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge redefined longevity by completing 1,000 weeks at Mumbai’s Maratha Mandir, and it continues to run there.
The arrival of multiplexes and the rise of OTT platforms changed how audiences viewed theatrical cinema. Going to the theatre became a more selective, premium experience rather than an obligation for movie lovers.
List of longest-running Hindi films at the box office:
- DDLJ – 1,000 weeks and still running
- Sholay – 286 weeks (5 years)
- Mughal-E-Azam – 150 weeks (3 years)
- Barsaat – 100 weeks (2 years)
- Maine Pyar Kiya – 50 weeks
- Kaho Naa… Pyaar Hai – 50 weeks
- Hum Aapke Hain Koun…! – 50 weeks
- Mohabbatein – 50 weeks
- Raja Hindustani – 50 weeks
Dhurandhar: The Revenge has completed just 36 days in theatres so far, but what it has achieved in that time rivals, and in some cases surpasses, the performance of films that ran for over two months or even 100 days in recent years.
Its next big milestone is to overtake Baahubali 2: The Conclusion and become the second highest-grossing Indian film of all time globally. At present, only Dangal and the SS Rajamoulai directorial stand ahead of it.
List of highest-grossing Indian films of all time worldwide (Source: Sacnilk)
- Dangal: Rs 2,070 crore
- Baahubali 2: Rs 1788.06 crore
- Pushpa 2: The Rule: Rs 1,742.10 crore
- Dhurandhar 2: Rs 1,766.24 crore (running)
- Dhurandhar: Rs 1,354.84 crore
- RRR: Rs 1,230 crore
- KGF Chapter 2: Rs 1,215 crore
- Jawan: Rs 1,160 crore
- Pathaan: Rs 1,055 crore
- Kalki 2898 AD: Rs 1,042.25 crore
At this pace, Dhurandhar 2 isn’t just sustaining momentum, it’s rewriting the rules of the modern box office. The question now isn’t whether it will slow down, but just how far it can go.
The film is written, directed and produced by Aditya Dhar. It is headlined by Ranveer Singh, with Rakesh Bedi, Sanjay Dutt, Arjun Rampal, R Madhavan, Danish Pandor and Sara Arjun among others in key roles.
Dhurandhar: The Revenge hit the screens on March 19.
