
Image: Bollywood Hungama
Discover how Dhurandhar The Revenge achieved record earnings without key markets, making it a major success story compared to Dangal.
GlipzoIn an impressive display of box office power, Dhurandhar The Revenge has made headlines as it grossed a staggering Rs. 1824.94 crores globally by Friday, April 24. Starring Ranveer Singh, this film has not only taken the Indian market by storm but has also found success on international screens. It now holds the title of the second-highest Hindi grosser in history, trailing only behind Aamir Khan's monumental film, Dangal, which amassed Rs. 1968.03 crores during its run.
While Dangal achieved a remarkable USD 196 million (around Rs. 1259 crores) from its unparalleled performance in China, Dhurandhar The Revenge managed to pull off its impressive numbers without tapping into two significant markets—Gulf countries and China. This raises questions about the true scale of its success, considering it came close to Dangal's record without these critical revenue streams.
As of April 24, Dhurandhar The Revenge is just about Rs. 143 crores shy of Dangal's total collection. Analysts predict that by the end of its run, the film could fall short by merely Rs. 100-110 crores. However, the real story lies in the fact that it achieved this feat despite not being released in the UAE-GCC region. Experts believe that had it been available in these markets, it could have potentially eclipsed Dangal's historic earnings.
Industry veterans have weighed in on this situation, with trade analyst Taran Adarsh stating, "While many acknowledge Dangal's record, it's important to note the substantial revenue it accrued from China and the UAE-GCC belt. Dhurandhar The Revenge, on the other hand, has proven to be a bigger achievement since it has grossed this amount without tapping into these two lucrative markets. If it had released in the UAE-GCC, I have no doubt it would have been a blockbuster."
Atul Mohan, another trade analyst, remarked that Dangal derived a significant portion of its earnings—about 85-90%—from its Chinese release. When asked about the potential earnings of Dhurandhar The Revenge had it released in the Gulf, he confidently stated, "Yes, it would have easily crossed Dangal had it been released in the UAE-GCC."
Contrarily, Suniel Wadhwa, Co-Founder & Director of Karmic Films, offered a different perspective. He estimated that the loss of earnings from the Gulf region for Dhurandhar The Revenge could be between Rs. 65-85 crores. Even with these earnings, he believes it wouldn't have surpassed Dangal's monumental figures. Furthermore, he commented on the film's performance in overseas markets, noting that while the first installment made USD 28 million, this sequel has already achieved around USD 45 million. This indicates a positive trend in growth internationally, although the domestic numbers have not mirrored this success.
Girish Johar, a producer and film business analyst, argued against drawing direct comparisons between the two films. He emphasized, "Dangal's success was heavily reliant on its Chinese audience, while Dhurandhar The Revenge has not seen such a market engagement. They are not comparable on a like-for-like basis."
Taran Adarsh concluded with a powerful assessment of the film's impact, stating, "Just look at the run of the film. The influence it has had is unprecedented in recent cinema. It sets a new standard. Future films will undoubtedly be measured against Dhurandhar The Revenge. It has resonated deeply with audiences and will leave a lasting impression. The filmmakers, actors, and producers now carry the responsibility to replicate such success in their forthcoming projects."
The box office performance of Dhurandhar The Revenge is significant not only for its financial success but also because it showcases the evolving landscape of Indian cinema. This film stands as a testament to the potential of Bollywood to capture audiences internationally, even in the absence of traditional revenue sources like the Gulf and China. Its achievement could inspire filmmakers to explore new storytelling avenues and marketing strategies, aiming to engage viewers in diverse markets.
As the film continues its theatrical run, the industry will be keenly observing its final figures and what they might mean for future releases. Will it motivate more Hindi films to venture into markets that have been historically overlooked? Only time will tell, but for now, Dhurandhar The Revenge is a resounding success that has shaken the foundations of the box office.
As the film approaches the end of its theatrical journey, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how close it comes to Dangal's record. The upcoming weeks will reveal if it can bridge the gap between the two films, or if the box office landscape will forever be marked by Dangal's unprecedented success.

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