In a remarkable display of cinematic success, ‘Dhurandhar,’ starring Ranveer Singh and Akshaye Khanna, continues its reign at the box office, setting new benchmarks. Veteran actor Rakesh Bedi, who portrays politician Jameel Jamali in the Aditya Dhar-directed spy-action thriller, shared his insights on the film’s overwhelming reception. He recalled a prediction he made prior to the film’s release, stating, “‘Dhurandhar’ is not going to raise the bar, it is going to break the bar.” The film’s performance seems to validate Bedi’s bold statement.

Bedi also recounted an enthusiastic fan reaction on Instagram, illustrating the audience’s deep engagement with ‘Dhurandhar,’ where a fan expressed impatience for the sequel’s release.

In a video shared on Instagram, Bedi expressed his excitement, stating, “Friends, ‘Dhurandhar’ is showing no signs of stopping; it continues to run and run. Before the film’s release, I made a statement that ‘Dhurandhar’ is not going to raise the bar, it is going to break the bar, because people are going to see this film repeatedly, continuously, and that is exactly what is happening.”

He further added, “People are showering so much love, it’s like a tsunami. I would say this film is like my friend’s restaurant in Delhi, Juggernaut.”

Bedi expressed his gratitude for the widespread acclaim the film has received. He highlighted a particular fan’s reaction, recounting, “One lady told me that after watching the film, she was angry about why it ended. And after watching the film, she felt like she should go to sleep and wake up directly on March 19, when its next part will be released. Isn’t that amazing?”

He extended his appreciation to the director and the production team, noting, “This film has become an international rage, which I believe has never happened in Indian cinema history. Such rage, such love, such a big tsunami. I thank JioStudio, the entire team of ‘Dhurandhar,’ and especially the director Aditya Dhar. Hats off to you, Aditya. Love you, brother.”

As per Sacnilk, ‘Dhurandhar’ has amassed ₹517 crore net in its first 16 days. The film further garnered ₹38.5 crore net on a recent Sunday, elevating its domestic total to ₹555.72 crore. ‘Dhurandhar’ has surpassed the lifetime collections of Sunny Deol’s ‘Gadar 2’ (₹525 crore net), Shah Rukh Khan’s ‘Pathaan’ (₹543 crore), and Ranbir Kapoor’s ‘Animal’ (₹553 crore).

According to Comscore, ‘Dhurandhar’ ranked among the top five global releases in its second weekend. With an overseas gross of $18 million, the film has exceeded ₹750 crore worldwide as of Friday and is projected to join the ₹800-crore club imminently.

December 22, 2025

Gurinder Chadha Champions ‘Homebound’ for Oscars, Jests About Karan Johar’s Influence

Acclaimed filmmaker Gurinder Chadha is optimistic about Neeraj Ghaywan’s ‘Homebound’ potentially winning an Oscar at the 98th Academy Awards. The film, which is India’s official selection, has made it to the shortlist in the International Feature Film category. Chadha hosted a special screening in London as part of the film’s promotional tour. Karan Johar, Ishaan Khatter, and Vishal Jethwa also attended the screening.

Chadha expressed her support for ‘Homebound,’ hoping it will bring the Oscar home and make India proud. During the media interaction, Chadha mentioned her long-standing friendship with Karan Johar, recalling how he asked her to host the London screening, to which she readily agreed.

Chadha praised ‘Homebound’ for its universal quality, noting how it reflected the shared experience of connection during the coronavirus pandemic. She lauded Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions for backing a film like ‘Homebound,’ acknowledging it as a significant move. She jokingly asked Neeraj Ghaywan if Karan had ever interfered with his vision by suggesting the inclusion of music from ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai’.

Chadha fondly recounted her decades-long friendship with Johar, tracing it back to the Cannes International Film Festival where she met him and his father, Yash Johar. She humorously described their Punjabi connection, recalling Yash Johar’s encouraging reaction to ‘Bend It Like Beckham’.