Ranveer Singh’s latest release Dhurandhar is proving to be an unstoppable force at the box office. Since its theatrical release on December 5, the espionage drama has maintained strong momentum, delivering impressive numbers week after week. According to industry tracker Sacnilk.com, the film has crossed the ₹232 crore mark within just eight days of its release, firmly establishing itself as one of the biggest commercial successes of the year.

The film enjoyed a stellar first week, collecting ₹207.25 crore nett in India. Even as it entered its second week, Dhurandhar showed no signs of slowing down. On Day 8, the film earned an estimated ₹25.38 crore nett, pushing its total domestic collection to ₹232.63 crore. These figures underline the film’s strong audience pull and positive word-of-mouth, especially for a high-stakes espionage thriller with a substantial runtime.

In doing so, Dhurandhar has reportedly surpassed the box office performance of Hrithik Roshan’s War 2. As per Sacnilk.com, War 2 earned ₹5 crore on its Day 8 and closed its first week with ₹204.25 crore. Dhurandhar’s superior second-week hold has helped it surge ahead, making it one of Ranveer Singh’s most successful theatrical outings to date.

The film has also overtaken the lifetime domestic collections of several major Bollywood releases. These include Raid 2 (₹173.05 crore), Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani (₹153.55 crore), and Sikandar (₹109.83 crore). Crossing these milestones within just over a week highlights the scale of Dhurandhar’s box office impact and its widespread appeal across audiences.

A significant contributor to the film’s success has been Ranveer Singh’s performance, which has drawn widespread praise from critics and viewers alike. In its review, Glamsham described Dhurandhar blends scale and intent but struggles with pace and depth. Ranveer Singh impresses, yet the film remains a mixed experience.

Directed by Aditya Dhar, Dhurandhar follows the story of Hamza, an Indian spy who deeply infiltrates Pakistan to become part of gangster Rehman Dakait’s network. The film draws inspiration from real-life events, including the 2001 Parliament attack and the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, offering a dramatized yet intense insight into the India-Pakistan conflict. Its political backdrop, combined with high-octane action and emotional drama, has struck a chord with audiences.

Beyond Ranveer Singh, the film boasts a formidable supporting cast that adds gravitas to the narrative. Akshaye Khanna, Arjun Rampal, R. Madhavan, Sanjay Dutt, Rakesh Bedi, and Sara Arjun all play pivotal roles, contributing to the film’s layered storytelling. The ensemble performances have been widely appreciated, lending credibility and tension to the espionage-driven plot.

With its continued box office dominance, Dhurandhar has firmly positioned itself as a franchise in the making. The makers have already announced that the second part of the film is slated for release next year, on March 19. Given the overwhelming response to the first installment, expectations are already high for the sequel.

As it stands, Dhurandhar is not just a commercial success but also a significant moment in Ranveer Singh’s career—showcasing his versatility and ability to anchor a large-scale, content-driven spectacle. With strong numbers still rolling in and audience interest remaining steady, the film’s final box office tally is expected to climb even higher in the days to come.

Days after Jaya Bachchan’s sharp criticism of paparazzi culture sparked debate across the film industry, actor Huma Qureshi has shared a more balanced and nuanced perspective, calling the paparazzi an important part of the entertainment ecosystem while acknowledging the need for clear boundaries and mutual respect.

Speaking to India Today, Huma described her relationship with the paparazzi as “very healthy” and admitted that celebrities themselves often rely on photographers for visibility—especially during film promotions. According to her, blaming paparazzi alone for intrusion or overexposure ignores the reality that the system works both ways.

“I think they are also important,” Huma said candidly. “I won’t lie, but we use them when we need to promote our films or bring a certain aspect of our lives into the public eye.” She explained that there have been several occasions when celebrities actively invite paparazzi to film premieres, events, or public appearances to ensure media attention. “When we want to be spotted somewhere, we call them. I don’t want to put all the blame on them,” she added.

Huma’s remarks come in the wake of Jaya Bachchan’s controversial comments, where the veteran actor strongly questioned the legitimacy, professionalism, and conduct of paparazzi photographers. While Huma did not directly contradict Jaya, she offered a more pragmatic view shaped by her own experiences over the years.

Reflecting on how her equation with paparazzi has evolved, Huma said communication has played a key role. She revealed that when she isn’t feeling camera-ready or simply doesn’t want to be photographed, she politely asks photographers to refrain—and most of the time, they respect her wishes.

“Maybe it hasn’t been the same for others,” she acknowledged. “There have been times when they’ve taken pictures of me from bad angles. But now I stop them and tell them not to do that.” According to Huma, asserting oneself has helped establish clearer boundaries and fostered mutual understanding.

However, she was also honest about the darker side of public scrutiny, especially for women in the industry. Huma pointed out that paparazzi intrusion crosses a line when it becomes invasive or disrespectful—whether through inappropriate questions, uncomfortable angles, or violations of personal space.

“If you want to intrude on my privacy, you will ask questions that I won’t find appropriate,” she said. “Or I might be wearing a certain dress, and you’ll try to capture it from a particular angle, which isn’t right.” She stressed that while limits should never be crossed, the reality is that such lines are often breached.

Speaking from personal experience, Huma highlighted how female actors disproportionately face such issues. “As a female actress, I have experienced all of this,” she said, recalling an incident where she was asked an inappropriate question during a press conference. For her, the issue goes beyond photographers to a larger conversation about respect, consent, and professionalism.

Summing up her approach, Huma said, “My philosophy is simple: don’t misbehave and don’t let others misbehave.” Her stance reflects a middle ground—acknowledging the role paparazzi play in celebrity culture while firmly advocating for dignity and ethical conduct.

In contrast, Jaya Bachchan’s views on paparazzi have been far more uncompromising. In an interview with Barkha Dutt, the veteran actor made it clear that while she respects journalism, she does not recognize paparazzi as legitimate media representatives.

“You know, it’s very strange,” Jaya said. “My relationship with the media is fantastic. I am the product of media. But my relationship with paparazzi is zero. Who are these people? Are they trained to represent the people of this country?” She emphasized her deep respect for traditional journalism, noting that her father was a journalist and that she grew up valuing the profession.

Jaya went on to sharply criticize paparazzi for what she described as their lack of training, professionalism, and accountability. Using blunt language, she questioned their backgrounds, education, and authority. “They think just because they have a mobile, they can take your picture and say what they want,” she remarked, adding that the comments passed by some photographers are often offensive and unacceptable.

Her comments ignited a wider conversation within the industry, with opinions divided between those who support stricter regulation of paparazzi behavior and those who, like Huma, believe the culture is deeply intertwined with modern celebrity life.

Together, these contrasting viewpoints highlight the complexity of paparazzi culture in Bollywood—where visibility and intrusion often exist side by side. While Huma Qureshi calls for cooperation, consent, and self-regulation, Jaya Bachchan’s remarks underline growing frustration with unchecked access and declining standards.

As the debate continues, one thing remains clear: the relationship between celebrities and paparazzi is evolving, and finding a balance between public interest and personal dignity has never been more urgent.

Ranveer Singh, who is currently enjoying the success of his latest release Dhurandhar, recently offered fans a glimpse of his affectionate off-screen personality during a family celebration. While the actor’s on-screen image in the action-packed film shows him as fierce and intense, a viral video from his cousin Saumya Hingorani’s wedding captures his softer, emotional side.

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A post shared by Sam & Saum (@absaumkaraaj)

The video shared on Instagram shows Ranveer becoming visibly overwhelmed after seeing his cousin dressed in her bridal attire. Saumya looked radiant in a striking red lehenga choli embellished with intricate details, and Ranveer’s reaction echoed the joy and tenderness of a proud brother. He was seen admiring her beauty, showering her with compliments, and offering heartfelt blessings. Though his exact words weren’t audible, his glowing expression and emotional demeanour spoke volumes, endearing him to viewers across social media.

Saumya’s father also had a touching moment before the bride walked down the aisle. Holding back tears, he told her, “You are looking so pretty,” in a voice filled with pride and affection, adding an extra layer of sentiment to the occasion. The video, captioned “Core memory” along with a heart emoji, soon drew warm reactions online, with many praising the bride’s elegance and her close bond with her family.

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A post shared by Sam & Saum (@absaumkaraaj)

Another clip from the wedding showed Ranveer holding the phoolon ki chadar with Saumya’s other brothers as she made her bridal entry. Dressed in a vibrant red kurta paired with white pyjamas, sunglasses, and a floral garland, the Dil Dhadakne Do actor added charm to the heartfelt moment. Several candid pictures also captured him embracing the bride and groom lovingly. The celebration was attended by Deepika Padukone and other members of the Singh and Hingorani families.

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A post shared by Saumya Hingorani Thackeray (@saumziii)

Meanwhile, Ranveer’s professional life continues to shine. In Dhurandhar, he plays a dual role—Jaskirat Singh Dhurandhar and Hamza Ali Mazari—which has earned him wide appreciation. Directed by Aditya Dhar, the film follows an undercover Indian spy navigating Pakistan’s volatile Lyari region to infiltrate a dangerous terror network. Ranveer’s performance as a fearless operative with a covert mission to eliminate syndicate head Rehman Dakait, portrayed by Akshaye Khanna, was praised by audiences and critics alike.

Buoyed by the film’s strong response, the makers have announced Dhurandhar: Part 2 – Revenge, slated for release on March 19, 2026.

Akshaye Khanna’s striking portrayal of Pakistani gangster-turned-politician Rehman Dakait in Dhurandhar has quickly become one of the film’s standout talking points. Critics, celebrities and audiences have all praised his meticulous restraint, quiet menace and magnetic screen presence—many even calling it his strongest performance in years. His ability to command attention without theatrics has reminded viewers why he remains one of Bollywood’s most versatile actors.

But while the admiration poured in, the internet did what it does best: celebrate in the most unexpected way possible. A decade-old meme from the 2010 film Tees Maar Khan resurfaced online, instantly going viral. In the iconic scene, Akshay Kumar’s smooth-talking conman—pretending to be a film director—convinces Akshaye Khanna’s superstar character to join his project. Fans humorously reshared the clip, joking that Akshay Kumar had “discovered” Akshaye and gifted India one of its finest performers.

The meme snowballed across social media until it finally reached Akshay Kumar himself. Reacting to a post that read, “Thank you director saab, for giving the nation such an amazing actor…”, Akshay delivered a signature witty response: “Kabhi ghamand nahi kiya bhai… kabhi ghamand nahi kiya.” His playful reply further ignited the meme fest, blending nostalgia for Tees Maar Khan with excitement around Dhurandhar’s continued success.

Thank you director saab, for giving the nation such an amazing actor..#Dhurandhar https://t.co/B57CtiOOUl pic.twitter.com/NhxYhnoMAR

— PRIYAM SHARMA (@Priyam_Akkian) December 10, 2025

Akshay Kumar has also been vocal about his appreciation for the film. On December 10, the actor shared a glowing review on X, saying he was “blown away” by Dhurandhar’s gripping storytelling. He praised director Aditya Dhar for crafting a powerful cinematic experience and applauded the overwhelming audience response that contributed to the film’s momentum at the box office.

Meanwhile, Dhurandhar’s success story continues to grow. The makers have officially announced a sequel titled Dhurandhar 2: Revenge, slated to release on March 19, 2026. The sequel is expected to face a major box office clash with Yash’s Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups, making it one of the most highly anticipated battles of the year. Industry sources report that Netflix has acquired the digital rights to both Dhurandhar films for approximately ₹130 crore—₹65 crore per installment—marking one of the biggest OTT acquisitions of the year.

With meme culture, star fandom and blockbuster cinema all converging, Akshaye Khanna’s resurgence has become a moment of celebration across the industry.