Ranveer Singh’s spy thriller Dhurandhar has taken Indian cinema to new heights in the United States and Canada, earning over USD 21 million — a landmark achievement that officially makes it the highest-grossing Indian film ever in North America. The Aditya Dhar-directed action drama has shattered long-standing records previously held by some of the biggest blockbusters in the country’s film history, and its extraordinary overseas performance comes amid an already outstanding global box office run.
Historic Triumph in North America
Nearly six weeks after its theatrical debut, Dhurandhar has crossed the USD 21 million mark in the US and Canada, according to trade estimates. This impressive figure has positioned the film at the top of the all-time Indian releases list in North America, surpassing the nine-year-old record previously held by SS Rajamouli’s Baahubali: The Conclusion, which grossed approximately USD 20.7 million in the same territories back in 2017.
The achievement is all the more remarkable given that Dhurandhar is primarily a Hindi-language film, competing against several multi-language pan-India projects that typically dominate overseas markets. Its box office dominance in North America underscores not just the movie’s broad appeal but also the growing appetite among global audiences for high-impact Indian cinema.
Outpacing Iconic Blockbusters
During its historic run, Dhurandhar has outperformed a slew of landmark Indian films at the US box office, surpassing the earnings of several major titles that once held significant records. Among those it has eclipsed are:
- Kalki 2898 AD (USD 18.5M)
- Pathaan (USD 17.5M)
- Jawan (USD 15.6M)
- RRR (USD 15.3M)
- Pushpa 2: The Rule (USD 15.3M)
- Animal (USD 14M)
- Dangal (USD 12.4M)
This impressive list of films illustrates the depth and breadth of the competition Dhurandhar faced — and overcame — on foreign soil. Several of these releases had major multi-language and cross-regional leverage, yet Dhurandhar’s performance stands out as a major milestone for a single-language Bollywood production.
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A Blockbuster Abroad and at Home
The spy thriller’s success is not confined to North America. Worldwide, Dhurandhar has crossed the ₹1,300 crore gross mark, solidifying its status among the most successful Indian films ever. This tally includes strong domestic earnings and significant business from other key overseas markets such as Australia and Canada, with overall international earnings reportedly around USD 32 million despite a restricted release in parts of the Middle East.
In India, the film has maintained a dominant run at the box office since its December 2025 release. It has accumulated substantial net collections, often topping domestic weekly charts and setting records for a Hindi release in theatres across major states and urban centres. This dual success in both the domestic and international arenas underscores Dhurandhar’s broad market penetration.
Why the Overseas Appeal Worked
Industry analysts attribute the film’s extraordinary overseas performance to several factors:
- Star Power and Global Fanbase: Ranveer Singh’s intense performance as the lead, backed by a strong ensemble cast including Akshaye Khanna, Arjun Rampal, Sanjay Dutt, and R Madhavan, helped draw diverse audience segments.
- Spy Thriller Genre: Action and espionage thrillers tend to translate well across cultural boundaries, offering universally engaging storylines and high-impact sequences that appeal to international viewers.
- Word of Mouth: Positive word of mouth combined with strong critical and audience reception boosted repeat viewings in North America, fueling sustained box office momentum weeks after its opening.
- Broader Indian Diaspora Interest: A sizeable Indian diaspora in the US and Canada helped anchor the film’s record run, reflecting continued enthusiasm for Bollywood releases that resonate beyond their cultural origins.
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Breaking Down the Numbers
While Dhurandhar is now the highest-grossing Indian film in North America overall, it has also carved out distinct records in other segments:
- It is currently among the top Indian films overseas, ranking high on all-time charts alongside iconic movies like Baahubali and Kalki 2898 AD.
- On several benchmarks, including weekend runs and cumulative gross after multiple weeks, it continues to hold strong standings against its peers.
These numbers indicate not just a one-off peak performance, but sustained interest in the title over weeks of release — an indicator of both broad audience engagement and strong international distribution strategies.
What This Means for Indian Cinema
Dhurandhar’s record in North America represents a remarkable chapter in the evolving journey of Indian films abroad. It reflects a broader shift: Indian films — even those released primarily in Hindi — are increasingly capable of competing with global cinema giants in key foreign markets. This trend underscores the expanding footprint of Indian cinema, driven by genre diversity, cross-cultural storytelling, and growing access to international screens.
For Ranveer Singh, this milestone is another major achievement in an already illustrious career. The film’s success further cements his status as one of Bollywood’s most bankable and globally recognized stars. Director Aditya Dhar, too, has solidified his place as a filmmaker capable of delivering compelling cinema that resonates across borders.
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Looking Ahead
With Dhurandhar continuing its box office journey in multiple territories, industry insiders predict that further records and long-term revenue milestones could still be on the horizon. The film’s performance will be closely watched as it completes its theatrical life cycle, both internationally and domestically.
For now, Dhurandhar stands tall as a trailblazer — a Bollywood blockbuster that didn’t just win at home but conquered key global markets, reshaping expectations for Indian films on the world stage.
