The Indian spy thriller 'Dhurandhar' has reached the top spot on Netflix's global Top 10 non-English films list, achieving 7.6 million views for the week of January 26 to February 1. It also leads the charts in India and Pakistan, marking a notable crossover amid regional tensions. Directed by Aditya Dhar, the film stars Ranveer Singh as an undercover operative in Karachi.
'Dhurandhar,' an espionage thriller centered on an Indian intelligence operation, has surged to No. 1 on Netflix's worldwide non-English films chart with 7.6 million views during the specified week. The Ranveer Singh-led production, which follows a decade-long undercover mission infiltrating Karachi's criminal and political underworld, also dominates Netflix's Top 10 Movies lists in India and Pakistan. This success extends across South Asia, including top or near-top positions in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, and strong performance in parts of the Middle East.
The film's popularity in Pakistan carries particular significance, given the longstanding ban on Indian films in Pakistani cinemas, exacerbated by bilateral tensions and the blocking of theatrical releases. As Variety notes, this premise—focusing on India's intelligence activities in Pakistan—would likely face barriers in traditional theaters, but streaming has enabled broad access to Pakistani audiences.
Produced by Jio Studios and B62 Studios, 'Dhurandhar' features a cast including Akshaye Khanna as the antagonist, alongside Sanjay Dutt, R. Madhavan, Arjun Rampal, Sara Arjun, Rakesh Bedi, Manav Gohil, Danish Pandor, Saumya Tandon, Gaurav Gera, and Naveen Kaushik. The story unfolds in two parts; the first installment has become India's highest-grossing Hindi-language film, earning $116 million domestically and $32 million internationally.
The sequel, 'Dhurandhar: The Revenge,' is slated for theatrical release on March 19 and will delve into the protagonist's backstory while continuing the narrative. This streaming breakthrough highlights Netflix's role in bridging divides, especially in regions with histories of conflict, such as the four India-Pakistan wars since 1947, centered on Kashmir.