What does the extraordinary success of Kunal Kohli’s film Dhurandhar reveal about the Bollywood film industry? Despite initial skepticism from many industry insiders, the film has shattered records, becoming the first Bollywood production to cross Rs 1000 crore net in India and exceeding Rs 1300 crore at the worldwide box office.
Kunal Kohli, known for his earlier hit Hum Tum, which was released in 2004, expressed his surprise at the lack of support for Dhurandhar. He stated, “Nobody supported Dhurandhar. The biggest directors I spoke to said, ‘Monday ko baith jayegi.‘ But it only gained momentum after its release, proving them wrong.
Notably, Dhurandhar has also become the first Indian franchise to earn over Rs 3000 crores globally. Kohli’s journey in the industry has been marked by both success and setbacks, including his film Mujhse Dosti Karoge! which flopped at the box office.
In a recent conversation, Rakesh Roshan congratulated Kohli, highlighting the film’s impressive performance, particularly during a 12:30 pm show in Indore, where it was houseful. Roshan remarked, “Kunal, your film is a big hit. The biggest of big films fail to do that.” This acknowledgment underscores the film’s unexpected triumph.
As Kohli reflects on his career, he noted a prevailing sentiment in the industry: “99% of the people in the industry don’t want you to succeed.” This statement sheds light on the competitive nature of Bollywood and the challenges filmmakers often face.
With Dhurandhar’s success, Kohli’s reputation as a filmmaker is likely to evolve. The film’s release in December 2025 has already set high expectations for future projects. However, it remains to be seen how this success will influence Kohli’s relationship with other industry professionals.
As the dust settles on this box office phenomenon, questions linger about the future of Kunal Kohli and the broader implications for the Bollywood film industry. Will this success change the dynamics of support among filmmakers, or will skepticism continue to prevail?
