Imagine a movie so in-demand that theaters are staying open all night just to keep up with the crowds. That’s exactly what’s happening with Ranveer Singh’s Dhurandhar, which has turned late-night screenings into a full-blown cultural phenomenon. But here’s where it gets controversial: Is this midnight movie marathon a sign of genuine audience passion, or are theaters simply capitalizing on hype? Let’s dive in.
In a move that’s as bold as it is unprecedented, cinemas across Mumbai and Pune have started hosting midnight and post-midnight shows of Dhurandhar, transforming it into the ultimate weekend night-out experience. The craze began on Saturday night, with Pune kicking things off at 12:20 am, followed by Mumbai at 12:45 am. What started as a few experimental screenings quickly escalated into a packed overnight schedule, with additional shows added at 12:50 am, 1:25 am, 2:10 am, and even as late as 4:10 am. And this is the part most people miss: Despite the film’s hefty three-and-a-half-hour runtime, audiences are willingly spending their entire nights in theaters, proving that Dhurandhar is more than just a movie—it’s an event.
The strategy has paid off spectacularly. Directed by Aditya Dhar, the film has shattered records by achieving the highest second Friday collections for a Hindi film, and its momentum shows no signs of slowing. On its ninth day, Dhurandhar raked in a staggering Rs 53 crore, bringing its total India net collection to Rs 292.75 crore in just nine days. By its tenth day, it had already crossed the Rs 300 crore milestone domestically. This success is even more remarkable considering the film hasn’t been released in any Gulf country—a decision that some might see as a missed opportunity.
Here’s the bold take: Trade expert Girish Wankhede argues that the Gulf absence is hardly a setback. He points out that the film earned around Rs 65 crore from overseas markets in seven days, with the Gulf’s potential contribution being a mere Rs 4 to Rs 5 crore. According to Wankhede, the domestic box office is the real powerhouse, and with the surge in night shows, Dhurandhar is on track to join the prestigious Rs 500 crore club. But is he right? Or are we underestimating the global appeal of Indian cinema? Let us know in the comments.
Starring a powerhouse cast including Ranveer Singh, Akshaye Khanna, R Madhavan, Sara Arjun, Arjun Rampal, Sanjay Dutt, and Rakesh Bedi, Dhurandhar has become the talk of the town. With theaters buzzing through the night and collections holding strong, it’s clear that this film is shaping up to be one of the year’s biggest box office success stories. But here’s the question: Can Dhurandhar sustain this momentum, or is this just a fleeting craze? Share your thoughts below—we’re all ears!
