Kunal Kohli’s Dhurandhar Shatters Box Office Records

What does the unprecedented success of Kunal Kohli’s film Dhurandhar reveal about the Bollywood film industry? It suggests that despite a lack of support from peers, a well-crafted project can still triumph at the box office. Dhurandhar has crossed Rs 1300 crore at the worldwide box office, making it the first Bollywood film to surpass Rs 1000 crore net in India.

Kunal Kohli has openly criticized the industry, stating, “Nobody supported Dhurandhar. The biggest directors I spoke to on the phone said, ‘Monday ko baith jayegi.‘ Monday ko aur chal gayi.” This sentiment reflects a broader narrative in Bollywood where many believe that success is often met with skepticism rather than encouragement.

The film’s success is particularly noteworthy as it has also become the first Indian franchise to earn over Rs 3000 crores worldwide. Kohli’s previous work, Hum Tum, released in 2004, was a commercial success, but he faced challenges with other projects, including the box office flop Mujhse Dosti Karoge!

On a recent Monday, Rakesh Roshan congratulated Kohli, stating, “Kunal, your film is houseful in the 12:30 pm show on Monday in Indore! The biggest of big films fail to do that. Congratulations, your film is a big hit.” This acknowledgment from a prominent figure in the industry highlights the film’s remarkable performance.

Despite the accolades, Kohli’s comments about the industry are striking. He noted that “99% of the people in the industry don’t want you to succeed,” suggesting a culture of rivalry rather than camaraderie among filmmakers.

As Kohli continues to navigate the complexities of the film industry, the future remains uncertain. His upcoming project, Border 2, has already collected over Rs 300 crores at the box office, indicating that his momentum may continue. However, the question remains: will the industry embrace his success, or will skepticism persist?

Details remain unconfirmed regarding the full impact of Dhurandhar’s success on Kohli’s future projects and the broader industry dynamics. The film, released in December 2025, has certainly set a new benchmark for Bollywood, but the industry’s response to this achievement will be crucial in shaping the narrative moving forward.