Dhurandhar’s massive run changes sequel plans
Aditya Dhar’s Dhurandhar has turned out to be much bigger than anyone initially expected. Released on December 5, the Ranveer Singh-led spy action thriller has already crossed ₹600 crore in India and touched ₹900 crore worldwide, despite releasing only in Hindi.
What truly caught the makers’ attention, however, was the film’s strong response from South India — a factor that has now reshaped the future of the franchise.
Dhurandhar 2 confirmed as a full pan-India release
Taking note of the demand, the makers have officially confirmed that Dhurandhar 2 will release as a pan-India film. The sequel, which was teased at the end of the first film, is locked for a theatrical release on March 19, 2026, coinciding with Eid.
Unlike the first part, Dhurandhar 2 will arrive simultaneously in Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam, marking a significant expansion for the franchise.
In an official statement, the producers revealed that the decision was driven by the film’s unexpected traction in southern states and the growing demand for dubbed versions.
South India response played a key role
Trade data highlights why this move made sense. According to industry figures, Dhurandhar recorded impressive occupancies in major southern cities:
- Bengaluru: 49.25%
- Chennai: 37.25%
- Hyderabad: 28.75%
These numbers stood strong against traditional Hindi belts like Mumbai (30%) and NCR (33.75%). South distributors reportedly flagged the lack of dubbed versions as a missed opportunity, pushing the makers to rethink their sequel strategy.
The team also credited word-of-mouth, social media buzz, and repeat audiences in South India for sustaining the film’s momentum.
What Dhurandhar 2 will explore
Written, directed, and co-produced by Aditya Dhar, Dhurandhar stars Ranveer Singh, Akshaye Khanna, Sanjay Dutt, R. Madhavan, Arjun Rampal, Sara Arjun, and Rakesh Bedi, with production backing from Jio Studios and B62 Studios.
Ranveer plays Hamza Ali Mazari, also known as Jaskirat Singh Rangi, an undercover operative sent to Pakistan to infiltrate a Baloch gang in Lyari. The sequel is expected to dig deeper into his backstory, something that was strongly hinted at in the film’s closing moments.
A big box office clash ahead
Dhurandhar 2 won’t have a free run at the box office. The film is set to clash with Yash and Kiara Advani’s Toxic: A Fairytale for Grown-Ups — setting up one of the biggest pan-India face-offs of 2026.
Final words
What started as a Hindi-only release has now evolved into a full-fledged pan-India franchise. With Dhurandhar 2 expanding its linguistic reach and releasing during a festive window, Aditya Dhar and Ranveer Singh are clearly aiming bigger — and if the first film is any indication, audiences across the country are ready.
