Hindi
Dhurandhar The Revenge shatters records storms past $25M US, €1M Germany
Film crosses $25M in North America and €1M in Germany, setting new firsts
MUMBAI: Dhurandhar The Revenge is rewriting the rules of overseas box office success, becoming the first Indian film to cross $25 million in North America and €1 million in Germany.
The film’s performance in Germany marks a historic first, making it the highest-grossing Indian film ever in the country and signalling a growing appetite for Indian cinema across European markets. The €1 million milestone, long considered a tough barrier for Indian releases, has now been decisively breached.
In North America, the film has achieved an equally significant feat. By surpassing the $25 million mark, it has set a new benchmark for Indian films in one of the most competitive global markets, traditionally dominated by Hollywood blockbusters.
Backed by Jio Studios, the film’s global success is being attributed to a well-planned international distribution strategy. By expanding screen presence, tapping into non-traditional territories and aligning releases with peak demand windows, the makers have managed to sustain strong momentum across regions.
Now into its third weekend, the film continues to draw audiences, showing resilience at the box office even as newer releases enter the fray. Its consistent performance suggests that the film’s appeal goes beyond opening weekend buzz, pointing instead to strong word of mouth and repeat viewership.
The broader takeaway is hard to miss. With the right mix of scale, storytelling and smart distribution, Indian films are no longer just travelling abroad, they are competing and winning.
As Dhurandhar The Revenge continues its global run, its record-breaking numbers hint at a larger shift. Indian cinema is not just expanding its footprint overseas, it is beginning to redefine it.
Hindi
Jio Studios, Sanjay Dutt team up to revive Khal Nayak
Rights acquired for new version, format under wraps as remake plans take shape.
MUMBAI: The villain is back and this time, he’s rewriting his own script. Jio Studios has partnered with Three Dimension Motion Pictures and Aspect Entertainment to revive the 1993 cult classic Khal Nayak, marking a fresh chapter for one of Bollywood’s most iconic anti-hero stories. The original film, directed by Subhash Ghai under Mukta Arts, was a commercial and cultural milestone, with Sanjay Dutt’s portrayal of Ballu becoming one of Hindi cinema’s most memorable performances.
Dutt, along with Aksha Kamboj, has now acquired the rights from the original creators, bringing on board Jio Studios and its President Jyoti Deshpande to steer the project creatively.
While the exact format whether remake, sequel, prequel, or a completely new narrative remains undisclosed, the collaboration aims to reinterpret the story for contemporary audiences while retaining the essence that made the original a defining film of the 1990s.
The move taps into a broader industry trend of reviving legacy intellectual property, particularly characters with strong recall value. “Khal Nayak” was notable for pushing mainstream Hindi cinema into morally grey territory at a time when heroes were largely one-dimensional, making Ballu’s character a standout.
The project also marks the film production debut of Aspect Entertainment, signalling a push towards more technology-led storytelling frameworks. Meanwhile, Jio Studios continues to expand its slate, having built a library of over 200 films and series, with more than 60 titles collectively winning 500-plus awards.
For Dutt, the revival is as much personal as it is strategic, a return to a role that reshaped his career. For the industry, it is another sign that nostalgia, when paired with scale, remains a powerful box-office proposition.
Because in Bollywood, some villains never fade, they just wait for the perfect comeback.
