Ranveer Singh’s espionage thriller “Dhurandhar” continues its remarkable box office dominance nearly three weeks after its early December 2025 release. The film has garnered widespread acclaim from audiences and industry insiders alike, with veteran filmmaker Sudhir Mishra becoming the latest prominent voice to defend the movie against criticism.

When a social media user on X (formerly Twitter) dismissed “Dhurandhar” as “propaganda with an evil intent to monetise on pop nationalism and sectarian mindset,” Mishra responded with a challenge: “Make a powerful film, with all the virtues of a great cinema experience, which counters it.” His comment underscored his appreciation for the film’s technical and artistic merits, regardless of its political undertones.

The exchange intensified when another user questioned whether director Aditya Dhar and filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri would have “the guts to make a film on the Unnao victim,” referencing a controversial rape case that made national headlines. Mishra responded by suggesting that one of the mentioned filmmakers indeed possesses such courage, hinting at an upcoming release that would address the sensitive subject.

Mishra also took the opportunity to push back against the tendency to group diverse filmmakers under the umbrella term “Bollywood.” “We belong to the Indian Film Industry, and we are all different,” he asserted, emphasizing the distinct creative voices within the country’s cinema landscape.

Despite positioning himself as a filmmaker “from another school,” Mishra offered extensive praise for Dhar’s directorial abilities. “Dhurandhar is a well-made film. Aditya Dhar is extremely skilled,” he wrote. He particularly commended Dhar’s ability to create an immersive sensory experience, noting that “the most difficult thing in filmmaking is a director’s ability to make us, the audience, smell the place.” Mishra credited this achievement to the collaborative efforts of the “brilliant Cinematographer and Production Designer.” He also highlighted the film’s casting as “bang on,” including performers in minor roles.

The spy thriller’s commercial performance has been nothing short of phenomenal. On its fourth Thursday, the film experienced a significant 43.18 percent jump in daily collections, bringing in ₹15.75 crore. This increase was partly attributed to the New Year’s Day holiday on January 1. The domestic total now stands at an impressive ₹739 crore, while overseas collections have reached ₹255 crore, bringing the worldwide gross to ₹1141.75 crore.

Theater occupancy figures further illustrate the film’s sustained appeal, with an overall 35.43 percent Hindi occupancy on Thursday. Chennai led the way with 60 percent occupancy, indicating strong performance even in non-traditional markets for Hindi films.

“Dhurandhar” represents another milestone in Ranveer Singh’s career, adding to his portfolio of commercially successful films. For director Aditya Dhar, this success follows his previous critically acclaimed work, further cementing his reputation as a filmmaker capable of balancing artistic merit with mass appeal.

The film’s success amid debates about its political messaging highlights the ongoing discussions about cinema’s role in reflecting and shaping national narratives. While some critics view such films through a political lens, industry veterans like Mishra suggest that technical excellence and storytelling craft deserve recognition independent of ideological considerations.

As “Dhurandhar” continues its theatrical run into the new year, its commercial and critical reception will likely influence future productions in the Indian spy thriller genre, a category that has seen renewed interest from both filmmakers and audiences in recent years.