Just one day after its highly anticipated digital premiere, Ranveer Singh’s blockbuster spy-action thriller Dhurandhar has stormed to the top of Netflix India’s movie charts, achieving the feat in what reports describe as record-breaking speed.
Directed by Aditya Dhar and featuring an ensemble cast including Akshaye Khanna, R. Madhavan, Arjun Rampal, and Sanjay Dutt, the film made its global streaming debut on Netflix on January 30, 2026, in Hindi with dubbed versions in Tamil and Telugu. This follows an extraordinary theatrical run that began on December 5, 2025, where Dhurandhar shattered multiple records: it became the highest-grossing single-language Hindi film in India (crossing ₹1,000 crore net domestically), amassed over ₹1,300–1,428 crore worldwide, and sustained an eight-week-plus theatrical presence with exceptional late-week performance.
The OTT transition has generated massive buzz, positioning the film as a strong contender to challenge all-time viewership benchmarks for Indian content on Netflix. Current leaders include RRR (around 45 million views globally, the long-standing top Indian title), Jawan (33.7 million views), and others like Animal and Crew. While official Netflix viewership numbers for Dhurandhar are not yet fully released—Netflix typically updates such metrics weekly or in batches—early trends show it dominating the platform’s India Top 10 movies list almost immediately upon arrival.
Industry observers attribute this rapid ascent to several factors:
- Theatrical momentum: The film’s status as a post-pandemic Hindi blockbuster with 3.5+ crore footfalls, viral songs, memorable action sequences, and repeat-view appeal has carried over seamlessly to streaming.
- Pan-India and global reach: Multi-language availability broadens its audience beyond Hindi-speaking viewers, tapping into South Indian markets and international diaspora interest.
- Cultural phenomenon: Social media conversations, from praise for performances (particularly Ranveer Singh’s undercover operative and Akshaye Khanna’s antagonist) to debates over its geopolitical themes, have kept it trending.
However, the debut has not been without controversy. Viewers quickly noted a runtime discrepancy—listed at around 3 hours 25 minutes on Netflix compared to the theatrical 3 hours 34 minutes—along with muted expletives, slightly desaturated visuals, and perceived minor trims. Fans expressed disappointment on platforms like X and Instagram, labeling it a “big letdown” or calling for an “uncut” version. Makers and sources have clarified that no core scenes were censored; the differences stem from standard OTT adaptations (e.g., frame rate adjustments from 24fps theatrical to 25fps streaming, platform compliance requirements, and minor technical tweaks) rather than content cuts. The version aligns with the CBFC-approved theatrical cut post any mandated changes.
Despite these discussions, the film’s momentum remains strong. Netflix India highlighted it as a “true pop-culture moment,” while director Aditya Dhar described the streaming release as “a new chapter” for audiences to rediscover its layers at home. With a reported ₹130–285 crore digital rights deal (some estimates cite the higher figure as a new benchmark surpassing previous records like Pushpa 2), expectations are sky-high for sustained chart dominance and potential entry into Netflix’s all-time Indian top rankings.
As viewership data accumulates over the coming days and weeks, Dhurandhar could solidify its legacy not just as a box office titan but as a streaming powerhouse. For now, its swift rise to No. 1 on Netflix India underscores the enduring appeal of high-octane, star-driven Indian cinema in the digital era.