New year, new cut — but the same box office dominance. Aditya Dhar’s Dhurandhar has entered 2026 exactly the way it ruled most of 2025: at the top. The Ranveer Singh–Akshaye Khanna espionage thriller has officially crossed the ₹1,100 crore worldwide mark, cementing its position as one of the biggest Hindi blockbusters ever — ahead of juggernauts like Pathaan, Jawan, and Chhaava.
Yet even as the film continues to roar at the box office, it’s now making headlines for a different reason.
A revised version rolls out quietly
As theatres rang in the New Year, exhibitors across India received an unexpected update. According to industry sources, distributors circulated an urgent notice on December 31, 2025, instructing cinemas to replace Dhurandhar’s existing Digital Cinema Package (DCP) with a revised version of the film.
The updated cut began screening nationwide from January 1, 2026.
What exactly changed?
The modifications are subtle but significant. As per the directive, two words have been muted and a dialogue altered, following instructions issued by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. Industry insiders have indicated that one of the removed references includes the word “Baloch.”
The changes appear to be a preemptive move to address concerns around the film’s political undertones — a topic that has followed Dhurandhar ever since its release.
Controversy vs box office reality
Despite facing criticism from a section of viewers who labelled the film “propaganda-driven,” the controversy has done little to dent its financial run. In fact, Dhurandhar continues to thrive.
By Day 27, the film had already crossed ₹720 crore in India, with domestic audiences responding strongly to Ranveer Singh’s portrayal of an Indian spy infiltrating a terror network in Pakistan. Overseas performance has been more complicated — the film remains banned in Gulf countries, even as it performs exceptionally in other international markets.
A cast-powered juggernaut
Directed by Aditya Dhar, Dhurandhar features a stacked ensemble that has played a major role in its sustained appeal. Alongside Ranveer Singh and Akshaye Khanna, the film stars Sanjay Dutt, Arjun Rampal, Sara Arjun, Rakesh Bedi, and several supporting actors including Naveen Kaushik, Saumya Tandon, Naseem Mughal, Danish Pandor, and Gaurav Gera.
The narrative, built around covert operations and moral conflict, has clearly struck a chord with mass audiences — even as debates around its messaging continue.
Franchise future already locked
If the revised cut signals an attempt to smooth the road ahead, the makers are clearly thinking long-term. The Dhurandhar universe is far from done. Part two is already scheduled for a theatrical release on March 19, 2026, making it one of the fastest-expanding franchises in recent Hindi cinema.
Final words
With a new edit in theatres and ₹1,100 crore already in the bag, Dhurandhar enters 2026 stronger than most films ever do. Whether discussed for its politics or praised for its scale, the film has made one thing clear — it’s not slowing down, and neither is the franchise behind it.
