Aditya Dhar Thanks Fans as Dhurandhar 2 Hits Rs. 186 Cr

Aditya Dhar and Dhurandhar: The Revenge — A Blockbuster Launch Wrapped in Praise and Controversy

Director Aditya Dhar is at the center of Indian cinema's biggest conversation right now. His highly anticipated sequel Dhurandhar: The Revenge released on March 19, 2026, and within 24 hours had already carved its name into the record books. With a staggering Rs. 186 crore opening day worldwide — ranking it fourth highest opening day in Indian cinema history — the film has ignited a firestorm of celebration, critical praise, and sharp controversy that shows no signs of slowing down.

From overwhelmed gratitude to accusations of propaganda, Aditya Dhar's latest directorial venture has become the most talked-about film of 2026. Here's everything you need to know about the man behind the camera, the film's record-breaking debut, and the debate it has sparked.

Who Is Aditya Dhar? From Rejected Cricketer to Blockbuster Director

Aditya Dhar's path to becoming one of Bollywood's most commercially powerful directors is nothing short of cinematic in itself. Before he was orchestrating massive action sequences and managing sprawling productions, Dhar had dreams of playing cricket professionally — a dream that ultimately didn't pan out. Rather than retreating, he pivoted toward storytelling and filmmaking, a decision that would eventually reshape mainstream Hindi cinema.

His breakthrough came with Uri: The Surgical Strike (2019), a film that not only became a cultural phenomenon but also launched the phrase "How's the josh?" into everyday Indian vocabulary. The film's success turned Dhar into a bankable, high-profile director synonymous with patriotic, high-octane action cinema. According to Financial Express, the Dhurandhar franchise has now crossed a cumulative Rs. 1,500 crore at the box office, a milestone that cements his standing among the elite of Indian directors.

Dhurandhar: The Revenge — What We Know About the Film

Dhurandhar: The Revenge, also widely referred to as Dhurandhar 2, stars Ranveer Singh in the lead role as Hamza Ali. The film picks up where its predecessor left off, delivering the kind of intense, large-scale action that Dhar has become known for. The sequel was one of the most anticipated Bollywood releases of the year, and its opening numbers suggest audiences showed up in full force.

The film released on March 19, 2026, and its Rs. 186 crore worldwide opening day placed it among the all-time greats for Indian cinema debuts. By March 20, box office analysts were tracking the film toward a Rs. 70 crore-plus Day 2 collection, signaling strong word-of-mouth momentum despite a polarized critical reception.

Veteran filmmaker Rakesh Roshan was among the early voices to heap praise on the project, calling it "a new era in cinema" — a significant endorsement from one of Bollywood's most respected filmmakers.

Aditya Dhar's Emotional Response to the Film's Success

In the immediate aftermath of the film's release, Aditya Dhar made clear that the magnitude of the response had genuinely moved him. At a screening event, Dhar was visibly overwhelmed, expressing heartfelt gratitude to both the audience and his team.

"You gave your heart and soul to this film," Dhar said, addressing the cast and crew. The director's emotional reaction was captured on video and widely shared, reinforcing his image as someone deeply invested in his projects — not just commercially, but personally.

Ranveer Singh, never one to miss a moment of levity, playfully teased Dhar at the screening event, adding a lighter dimension to what was otherwise an emotionally charged celebration. Times of India reported on the director's public thanks, while PinkVilla covered the full emotional arc of the screening night in detail.

South Indian cinema's biggest names also joined the chorus of praise. Jr NTR, Mahesh Babu, and Ram Charan all publicly lauded the film, with Ram Charan offering perhaps the most quoted line of the day — calling Dhurandhar: The Revenge "raw and impactful." The endorsement from Pan-India stars underlines just how far the film's reach extends beyond a traditional Bollywood audience.

The Controversy: 'Propaganda' Charges and the Jingoism Debate

Not everyone was celebrating. On March 20, 2026 — the day after release — Kannada actress and former politician Ramya posted a scathing review on X (formerly Twitter), calling Dhurandhar: The Revenge "complete propaganda" and urging Aditya Dhar to move beyond what she described as jingoism.

Ramya's criticism was comprehensive. She did not limit her objections to the film's political undertones — she also criticized its direction, editing, dialogues, acting, and background score, calling these elements "consistently subpar." She further took issue with the film's excessive and escalating violence, suggesting the content crossed a line from dramatic tension into gratuitous spectacle.

Her post gained significant traction, particularly given her background as both an entertainer and a public figure with political experience. Indian Express covered the controversy in depth, noting the broader cultural conversation it sparked about patriotic cinema and its responsibilities.

Actor Prakash Raj, long known for his outspoken views, also took a dig — this time targeting the South Indian stars who praised the film, further fanning the flames of an already heated debate.

These criticisms are not entirely new to Aditya Dhar's work. Since Uri, he has occupied a particular lane in Indian cinema — one that celebrates military valor and national pride, but which critics argue can veer into oversimplification and chest-thumping nationalism. The reception to Dhurandhar: The Revenge suggests that debate is far from resolved.

Box Office Trajectory and What It Means for Indian Cinema

Setting aside the controversy, the numbers are undeniable. A Rs. 186 crore global opening day places Dhurandhar: The Revenge in elite company. For context, this figure rivals and in some cases surpasses many of Bollywood's all-time biggest launches, signaling an audience appetite for exactly this kind of large-scale, emotionally charged action cinema.

The film's Day 2 trajectory of Rs. 70 crore-plus also suggests that opening-day figures weren't simply front-loaded hype. Strong holds on subsequent days are typically a sign of healthy word-of-mouth, meaning audiences who saw the film on Day 1 were talking about it in ways that drove further ticket sales.

With the Dhurandhar franchise now sitting at over Rs. 1,500 crore combined, Aditya Dhar has built something rare in Bollywood: a sustainable, audience-trusted franchise. Whether or not critics agree with the film's approach, the commercial argument for his brand of cinema is increasingly difficult to counter.

Frequently Asked Questions About Aditya Dhar and Dhurandhar: The Revenge

Who directed Dhurandhar: The Revenge?

Aditya Dhar directed Dhurandhar: The Revenge, also known as Dhurandhar 2. Dhar previously directed Uri: The Surgical Strike (2019), which was a landmark hit in Indian cinema.

Who stars in Dhurandhar: The Revenge?

Ranveer Singh plays the lead role of Hamza Ali in the film. The movie released on March 19, 2026.

How much did Dhurandhar: The Revenge earn on opening day?

The film earned Rs. 186 crore worldwide on its opening day, March 19, 2026, making it the fourth highest opening day for any Indian film in cinema history.

Why is Dhurandhar: The Revenge controversial?

Kannada actress and former politician Ramya called the film "complete propaganda" on social media and criticized its violence, editing, acting, and dialogue. Actor Prakash Raj also took a critical stance. The controversy centers on accusations that the film promotes excessive nationalism or jingoism.

What did South Indian stars say about the film?

Jr NTR, Mahesh Babu, and Ram Charan all praised the film. Ram Charan described it as "raw and impactful." Their endorsements were themselves the subject of criticism from Prakash Raj.

Conclusion: A Director, a Debate, and a Defining Moment

Aditya Dhar's Dhurandhar: The Revenge has done exactly what blockbusters are supposed to do — dominate the conversation. Within 48 hours of release, it had shattered box office records, moved its director to public tears of gratitude, drawn effusive praise from A-list celebrities across the country, and sparked a genuine cultural debate about the role of patriotic cinema in modern India.

Whether you view Dhar as a visionary populist director giving audiences what they crave, or as a filmmaker whose work leans too heavily on nationalist sentiment, one thing is clear: he has built a cinematic brand that commands attention, generates revenue, and refuses to be ignored. The Rs. 1,500 crore franchise is proof of an audience that keeps showing up — and the passionate criticism is proof that cinema still matters enough to fight over.

As the box office numbers continue to roll in and the debate rages on social media, Aditya Dhar stands at the center of Indian entertainment's most important conversation of 2026.