In a remarkable shift for Indian cinema’s international footprint, the Ranveer Singh-led espionage thriller Dhurandhar has officially surpassed Shah Rukh Khan’s Pathaan to become the highest-grossing Bollywood film of all time in the North American market.
According to the latest trade figures as of January 1, 2026, Dhurandhar reached a cumulative total of $17.52 million across the United States and Canada by the end of its fourth Tuesday. This feat edges past the previous record of $17.49 million held by Pathaan since early 2023. The milestone cements Dhurandhar as the gold standard for Hindi-language cinema in the region.
Directed by Aditya Dhar (Uri: The Surgical Strike), the film has shown unprecedented “legs” at the box office. While most blockbusters see a sharp decline after the second week, Dhurandhar witnessed a rare second-weekend surge, fueled by massive holiday turnouts and glowing word-of-mouth.
The film’s performance is even more remarkable considering several hurdles.
Unlike the family-friendly Pathaan, Dhurandhar carries an ‘A’ rating and a massive runtime of 214 minutes. The film was denied release in major Gulf markets including Saudi Arabia and the UAE, resulting in an estimated $10 million loss. Despite this, the North American and Australian markets where it is now the #3 Indian film have more than compensated.
The success isn’t limited to overseas shores. Domestically, the film has crossed the ₹728 crore net mark, making it the highest-grossing solo Hindi-language film in Indian history. Globally, it has entered the elite ₹1,000 crore club, with its current worldwide gross standing at approximately ₹1,143 crore.
Industry analysts suggest that the film’s gritty realism and the powerhouse performances of the ensemble cast which includes Akshaye Khanna, Sanjay Dutt, R. Madhavan, and Arjun Rampal have resonated deeply with the diaspora.
The “Dhurandhar-verse” shows no signs of slowing down. With a sequel, Dhurandhar 2, already confirmed for release on March 19, 2026, the franchise is poised to challenge the all-time global records held by films like Jawan and Baahubali 2.
As the film continues its theatrical run, experts believe $20 million in North America is no longer a distant dream but a likely reality for this new king of the box office. To know latest updates stay tuned to tellyboosters.com Thank you!
