‘Dhurandhar’ Tops OTT Charts in Pakistan; Film Sparks Excitement Across the Border

After dominating the box office for 56 days, the blockbuster film Dhurandhar is now creating waves on the OTT platform Netflix, not just in India but also in Pakistan, where it has emerged as the number one trending film. Pakistani audiences have showered the film with praise, making it a cross-border sensation.

OTT Success and Global Reach
Directed by Aditya Dhar, Dhurandhar has amassed ₹1,303 crore worldwide, including ₹299 crore from overseas markets, featuring stars Ranveer Singh and Akshay Khanna. The film, which premiered on Netflix on 30 January, reignited conversations about its gripping storyline and realistic portrayal of historical conflicts. Despite being officially banned in Pakistan, the OTT release has allowed viewers there to watch and discuss the film widely on social media.

Pakistani Fans Share Their Reactions
A Reddit user wrote, “As a Pakistani, this is the best Bollywood film I’ve ever seen. For the first time, a film has shown proper research. There’s no stereotypical portrayal with ‘adaab’, ‘janaab’, surma, kajal, caps, or vests. The film is outstanding – casting, shooting, and story all perfect.”

Another Pakistani viewer commented, *“I’m Pakistani and I loved *Dhurandhar. Stop spreading narratives of hatred between our countries. From my side, it’s all love. Don’t be uncivilized.”

Yet another fan appreciated the film’s sensitive depiction of Pakistan, noting that it portrays armed gangs and politics without targeting the Pakistani people negatively.

Director Aditya Dhar Expresses Joy
Aditya Dhar expressed his excitement at seeing the film trend at number one on Netflix. In an interview with Bollywood Hungama, he said, *“It’s a great joy to see *Dhurandhar* topping the charts on Netflix. Whether on the big screen or at home, the film was made to be watched with full passion. I am grateful to all viewers who watched it in theaters and those seeing it for the first time globally.”*

Indian Reactions: Shekhar Kapoor Praises Film
Indian audiences who missed the theatrical release have also shared their reactions online. Filmmaker Shekhar Kapoor praised the film, writing, *“Finally watched *Dhurandhar* on Netflix. Brilliant story, and even minor characters have compelling performances. Director Aditya Dhar deserves all the praise. Congratulations to producer Jyoti Deshpande. Can’t wait for Dhurandhar 2.”*

‘Dhurandhar 2’ Set for 19 March Release
With a budget of approximately ₹250 crore, Dhurandhar collected over ₹836 crore in India alone. Makers have already announced the sequel, Dhurandhar 2, scheduled to release in theaters on 19 March. Expectations are high as the new installment is set to feature intense confrontations between Arjun Rampal as Major Iqbal and Ranveer Singh, following the death of Rahman Dakait.

Director Aditya Dhar’s Second Major Hit
Following his 2019 hit Uri: The Surgical Strike, Aditya Dhar spent two years on extensive research and production to create Dhurandhar. The film blends patriotism with a realistic depiction of cross-border threats, portraying how preventing attacks becomes challenging even with intelligence inputs.