Alia Bhatt calls ‘Dhurandhar’ “the voice of today’s India” after $120 million box office run

Highlights

• Alia Bhatt shares production house note praising Dhurandhar
  
  
• Film becomes the highest-grossing Indian release to date
  
• Sequel set for March 19, 2026 release
  
• Gulf ban continues to impact overseas earnings
  

Alia Bhatt responds after film’s record run

Alia Bhatt has publicly addressed the success of Dhurandhar after the film emerged as the highest-grossing Indian movie so far. The actor reshared a note posted by her production banner, Eternal Sunshine Productions, calling the film a reflection of “today’s India.”

The message, shared on her Instagram Stories, praised the team behind the project and credited the film with drawing audiences back to theaters during the winter release window.

Production house calls film ‘voice of today’s India’

In the note, Eternal Sunshine Productions described Dhurandhar as rooted in a chapter of history while resonating strongly with contemporary audiences. The post celebrated the film’s box office performance and hinted at even greater expectations for the second part, scheduled for a spring release.

Bhatt reposted the message without additional commentary, marking her first direct acknowledgment of the film’s reception.

The message, shared on her Instagram StoryInstagram/ aliaabhatt

Box office performance drives sequel momentum

Dhurandhar has earned over $95 million at the domestic box office and continues to run in select theaters across India. Its worldwide collections have crossed $120 million, placing it among the biggest commercial successes in Indian cinema.

The second installment is set to release on March 19, 2026, alongside Yash’s toxic and the Adivi Sesh–Mrunal Thakur starrer dacoit.

Gulf ban remains unresolved

Despite its success, Dhurandhar remains banned in Gulf countries, a move that reportedly resulted in losses of around $11 million. The Indian Motion Picture Producers’ Association has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking intervention, though no response has been announced so far.

Directed as a large-scale historical action drama, the film stars Akshaye Khanna, Sanjay Dutt, R. Madhavan, Arjun Rampal, Rakesh Bedi, Sara Arjun, and Danish Pandor. Dhurandhar released theatrically on December 5, 2025.