Trade analyst Taran Adarsh, in an exclusive conversation with Bollywood Hungama, reflected on the unexpected journey and record-breaking success of Dhurandhar, calling it the standout film of 2025 and a defining example of how audience acceptance ultimately trumps early box-office narratives.
Adarsh revealed that while he had a largely positive first impression of the film’s trailer, one particular sequence initially unsettled him. “I liked the trailer, though the torture scene of Arjun Rampal put me off. But I liked the trailer,” he said. Despite this, his interest in the film remained intact.
He further shared that he had planned to watch Dhurandhar two days before its release but had to travel to Jaipur due to a family wedding. During that time, the industry chatter surrounding the film had turned increasingly pessimistic. “The negative reports on Thursday and Friday that there was no opening, no advance booking… you know how the industry goes,” Adarsh noted, underlining how quickly a film can be dismissed even before audiences get a chance to respond.
Taking aim at the industry’s obsession with opening-day numbers, Adarsh reiterated a belief he says he has consistently stood by. “It is not the opening of the film. It is the closing of the film that decides whether it is a hit or a flop… the final business, what we call lifetime business, that decides,” he stated, adding that opening-day performance often leads to premature judgments. “On the opening day, you either write off a film or elevate it to the skies, even if it crashes the very next day.”
According to Adarsh, Dhurandhar was burdened by the perception that audiences had grown tired of gangster films. “People thought who will watch gangster films. People are fed up… and who will watch such gruesome violence,” he recalled. However, the film defied these assumptions in a decisive manner.
Calling it a personal favourite, Adarsh made a strong declaration: “If in the year 2025, the best film is Dhurandhar, in my opinion, it is the film of 2025.” He emphasised that the film’s impact went beyond box-office numbers, noting the widespread industry appreciation it received. “The biggest filmmakers like Karan Johar, Yash Raj, and South’s famous producers such as Mythri Movie Makers and Abhishek Agarwal—everyone praised it,” he said.
Adarsh also highlighted the film’s resonance across regional markets, particularly in the South. “Whenever I talk in Hyderabad or Chennai, the way people talk about Dhurandhar—it has been imprinted on their minds and it is ruling their hearts,” he observed.
Addressing post-release criticism, Adarsh dismissed its relevance once audiences have spoken. “When a film is running, when the audience picks it up, the negativity doesn’t matter,” he said, adding that box-office performance is the only true verdict. “On the box office, there can’t be a more melodious voice than ‘sikko ki khanak’.”
One of the most striking aspects of Dhurandhar’s run, according to Adarsh, is its record-breaking performance—particularly in comparison to Pushpa 2. “We used to think, how will Pushpa 2 Hindi version’s record break? In that list, we didn’t even think of Dhurandhar. I’m sure no one would have thought of it,” he said, before adding, “But today, that film is sitting on that throne.”
Concluding his assessment, Adarsh described Dhurandhar as a benchmark for filmmakers. “If you make a film with honesty and with so much capability, if you tell a story well, your film will keep the audience on their toes,” he said, pointing to the film’s success as a reminder that sincere storytelling can still defy trends and expectations.
More Pages: Dhurandhar Box Office Collection , Dhurandhar Movie Review
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