Dhurandhar’s record-breaking success raises questions for Yash Raj Films' spy-universe; read to know more

Dhurandhar and YRF clash

• Dhurandhar becomes highest-grossing Hindi film, breaking records after release
• Aditya Dhar praised for bold direction; film seen as milestone in Indian cinema
• Yash Raj Films urged to reinvent after Dhurandhar's critical and box office hit

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In the weeks leading up to its release, Dhurandhar felt like a film teetering on the edge. Directed by Aditya Dhar and led by Ranveer Singh, the project was surrounded by unease.

Controversies involving its star, chatter around Kantara: A Legend – Chapter 1, cancelled press screenings, and rumours of delayed prints all contributed to a sense that the film might stumble before it even began. Then December 5 arrived—and everything changed.

From its first show, Dhurandhar moved with unstoppable momentum. Records fell rapidly, and within days it had claimed the title of the highest-grossing Hindi-language film of all time. Beyond numbers, the film captured public imagination.

Akshaye Khanna became an unlikely national obsession, Rakesh Bedi found himself enjoying a long-overdue resurgence, and Shashwat Sachdev was suddenly spoken of as the future of film music. Dhurandhar was no longer just a release; it had become a cultural moment.

At the heart of this success stands Aditya Dhar. Often debated for his political stance, Aditya nevertheless commanded admiration across ideological and creative divides.

Filmmakers such as Ram Gopal Varma, Anurag Kashyap, Sandeep Reddy Vanga, and Karan Johar openly celebrated his boldness. The latest endorsement came from Aditya Chopra’s Yash Raj Films, whose public praise carried symbolic weight: “Dhurandhar is not merely a film… it is a milestone in Indian cinema that will be remembered forever. Congratulations to Aditya Dhar and Jio Studios for creating the highest-grossing Indian film of all time (in a single language). As the captain of this journey, Aditya Dhar’s clarity of purpose, fearless storytelling, and unwavering commitment to excellence have set a new benchmark. We also congratulate every cast member and technician of this brilliant film for giving their all. You are the Dhurandhars who brought this story to life with such explosive brilliance on the big screen. Thank you for giving us cinema that inspires us to reach further in the pursuit of creative excellence.”

Yet this admiration also exposes an uncomfortable truth. Since Dhurandhar’s release, comparisons with Yash Raj Films’ Spy Universe have been unavoidable—and rarely favourable. Audiences increasingly describe Aditya Dhar’s film as raw, grounded, and emotionally tactile, while films like War, Pathaan, Tiger 3, and War 2 are criticised for gloss, predictability, and overreliance on spectacle.

Also Read: Film Body IMPPA urges PM Narendra Modi to help with Dhurandhar's release in Gulf countries: Report

Still, the Spy Universe holds something Dhurandhar does not always prioritise: moral restraint.

Built on the foundations laid by Kabir Khan and sustained by Aditya Chopra’s belief in empathy, these films resist divisiveness and uphold a quietly secular worldview. But goodwill alone cannot sustain a franchise. With recent underwhelming box office performances and Alpha facing uncertainty, Yash Raj Films now stands at a crossroads.

The path forward need not be louder or bigger. It could instead be braver. Whether through fresh genres or emotionally driven stories like Saiyaara, the opportunity remains.

The question is whether Aditya Chopra will choose reinvention over inertia—and allow the studio to dream again.