Dhurandhar goes global as Russian-Georgian skater Anastasiia Gubanova performs Bollywood mashup at Winter Olympics 2026

Dhurandhar goes global as Russian-Georgian skater Anastasiia Gubanova performs Bollywood mashup at Winter Olympics 2026

• Anastasiia Gubanova skated to Hindi tracks at Winter Olympics 2026
• Her routine featured Dhurandhar's viral title track and a Punjabi folk step
• Gubanova's red-and-gold costume with a bindi drew praise from Indian fans

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A striking cultural crossover unfolded at the Winter Olympics 2026 when a figure-skating routine set to a popular Hindi film track caught global attention. Videos from the event, hosted in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, have been widely shared online, showing Russian-Georgian figure skater Anastasiia Gubanova performing to the viral title track of Dhurandhar.

Released on December 5, 2025, Dhurandhar has steadily grown into a fan favourite, not just in India but across international audiences as well.

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Its title track, in particular, has found an afterlife far beyond cinema halls, turning up at sporting events, fan edits, and now, one of the world’s biggest athletic stages.

Gubanova’s routine began with San Sananana Sana from Ashoka, easing the audience into a familiar Bollywood melody before transitioning seamlessly into the high-energy Dhurandhar track. As the beats shifted, her choreography became sharper and more expressive, blending technical precision with playful musical interpretation. She skated with visible confidence, syncing spins and footwork to the rhythm of the Hindi tracks.

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One moment that especially stood out was when Gubanova briefly incorporated a Punjabi folk step into her routine, drawing cheers from spectators and instant reactions online. The gesture, small but deliberate, was widely seen as a nod to Indian culture rather than a gimmick. The performance has since been trending on X, with fans praising both her skill and her thoughtful musical choices.

Adding to the visual impact was Gubanova’s costume. She wore a red-and-gold, form-fitting outfit complemented by a red bindi, a detail that did not go unnoticed. Indian viewers and Dhurandhar fans flooded social media with messages of admiration, calling the look respectful, elegant, and striking on the Olympic ice.

This is not the first time the skater has performed to the same mashup. In September 2025, the 23-year-old wore the same costume and bindi while skating to the track in Beijing, China, a performance that had also gone viral at the time.

Gubanova’s appearance comes at a moment when anticipation is already high for Dhurandhar: The Revenge, scheduled to release on March 19, 2026. Directed by Aditya Dhar, the sequel’s buzz appears to be benefiting from such unexpected global moments, reinforcing how the film’s music continues to resonate far beyond its original audience.

For context, Anastasiia Gubanova is no stranger to international acclaim. She is the 2023 European champion, a two-time European silver medalist, a four-time ISU Challenger Series gold medalist, and a two-time ISU Grand Prix bronze medalist. Her Olympic performance now adds a memorable cultural chapter to an already decorated career.