Mukesh Ambani, the chairman of Reliance Industries, has acknowledged the remarkable achievement of the Dhurandhar film series in his recent letter to shareholders, referring to it as a significant landmark for Jio Studios. The franchise has amassed over ₹3,000 crore at the box office, which represents approximately 40 per cent of the total theatrical revenue in India. This statement comes in conjunction with ongoing discussions surrounding lead actor Ranveer Singh, who has been under scrutiny regarding his departure from the film Don 3.

Ambani’s observations were made during his annual communication to stakeholders, where he praised Jio Studios for consistently delivering the highest-grossing films annually over the past three years. The line-up included Stree 2 in 2024, followed by Dhurandhar in 2025, and Dhurandhar: The Revenge in 2026. He noted that the franchise’s success has set new standards in box office achievement and audience engagement.

Innovative Production and Release Strategies

In his remarks, Ambani emphasised the franchise’s unique production and release strategy, claiming it to be unprecedented globally, as well as in India. He stated that the films were not only conceived as a two-part series but also filmed and released in close succession. This method reportedly distinguishes the Dhurandhar franchise from previous film series, although there are notable instances, such as Gangs of Wasseypur Parts 1 and 2, where films were shot together and released shortly after each other.

Ambani further characterised the franchise’s box office performance as historic. He stated that the first instalment became the highest-grossing Indian film of all time, followed by the sequel, which outperformed its predecessor upon release. The first film maintained a successful showing for 15 consecutive weeks until the anticipation of the sequel drew audiences back to cinemas.

The financial scale of the Dhurandhar franchise is significant, with a reported combined production budget of ₹350 crore. The first film grossed ₹1,307 crore globally, while its sequel surpassed ₹1,800 crore, elevating the total earnings of the franchise to over ₹3,100 crore.

Industry Reactions and Singh’s Situation

Ambani’s appreciation of the Dhurandhar franchise occurs amidst controversy relating to Ranveer Singh’s exit from Don 3. The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) had previously announced a non-cooperation directive against him, although this decision has now been retracted. FWICE President Ashok Pandit confirmed the revocation during a recent press conference, following outreach efforts to other industry organisations.

In reconsidering their stance against Singh, Pandit mentioned that responses from bodies such as the Indian Motion Picture Producers’ Association (IMPAA) and the Producers Guild of India contributed to the decision. This move reflects an effort to address the broader interests of the film community, despite ongoing unresolved disputes between Singh and filmmaker Farhan Akhtar.

The remarkable commercial success of the Dhurandhar franchise further reinforces the evolving dynamics within Indian cinema, illustrating both the potential for high earnings and the complexities of industry relationships. As the situation develops, stakeholders continue to observe the implications for both the franchise and the actors involved.

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