Industry Doubts Didn't Stop Blockbuster Success

Filmmaker Kunal Kohli recently shared insights into the film industry's often-negative reception of new projects, citing the box office success of Dhurandhar: The Revenge as a prime example. Despite widespread industry predictions that the Aditya Dhar directorial would falter after its opening weekend, Dhurandhar defied expectations. The film, starring Ranveer Singh, opened strongly on a Thursday and then achieved a record-breaking collection on its first Monday, indicating significant audience engagement.

Kohli elaborated on this phenomenon by referencing Anurag Singh's Border 2, which also faced industry skepticism but ultimately surpassed Rs 300 crore. He recalled his own experience with Hum Tum (2004), a film that initially lacked industry support but gradually found commercial success. Kohli emphasized that a significant portion of the industry may not wish for others' success, citing advice he received from producer Aditya Chopra regarding negative preview reactions.

Dhurandhar: The Revenge has now entered its fourth week of theatrical release, accumulating a global gross of Rs 1,718.62 crore, with a domestic net of Rs 1,088.62 crore. Kohli's reflections underscore a pattern where films can achieve blockbuster status despite internal industry doubts, attributing eventual success to audience reception rather than peer approval. He also praised Rakesh Roshan for his support, highlighting rare instances of genuine encouragement within the film fraternity.