Showing posts with label Dhurandhar The Revenge. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dhurandhar The Revenge. Show all posts
Dhurandhar music composer Shashwat Sachdev says "The idea is never to use a song simply because it’s old or familiar"
2:45 PM
Komal RJ Panchal (MID-DAY; June 29, 2026)
Sure, the Dhurandhar franchise is star-studded. The bigger stars, however, are its screenplay, Aditya Dhar’s stylised direction, and certainly, its music. From placing beloved retro songs in action sequences to crafting original numbers that up the narrative’s tempo, composer Shashwat Sachdev showed how music can be a powerful storytelling tool. As audiences continue to dissect the soundtrack and score, scene by scene, the composer, in a chat with mid-day, breaks down how he created the spy action thriller’s album using nostalgia and contrast. Excerpts from the interview.
Did the response to Dhurandhar’s (2025) music influence the risks you took in the sequel?
Most of the music for the second film wasn’t driven by expectations or outside noise; it was driven by the material. The screenplay was inspiring, and there was only one objective: create great music.
What made you remix retro songs and place them in a gritty espionage universe?
The idea is never to use a song simply because it’s old or familiar. It has to serve the scene’s emotion. Sometimes a melody carrying memory, innocence, or longing can reveal something about a character that a conventional approach cannot. When an unexpected choice creates a stronger emotional response, it becomes interesting. For us, the question was always: does it help tell the story better? If the answer was yes, it belonged there.
Many feel your biggest achievement was making retro songs feel relevant again. How do you revive a track without reducing it to a remix?
I don’t see it as remixing. Around the world, artistes sample older music and create new ideas from it. For me, it was about using fragments of an existing idea to tell a new story. I think of sampling as an instrument, no different from a piano, guitar, or an orchestra. If sampling is an instrument, then the whole world becomes your palette. The challenge is learning how to play it well.
How were the songs chosen?
It started with Aditya’s vision because he wrote the script and designed the world. But filmmaking is always collaborative. It was his vision, mine, and Shivkumar V Panicker’s [editor] interpretation of the score. Then there was my interpretation of what both of them were asking for. Often, what we ended up with was very different from what any of us initially imagined, yet it worked.
The use of cheerful songs in brutal action scenes felt almost Tarantino-esque. What can a song achieve in those moments that a traditional score cannot?
Music can create contrast. A traditional score often guides the audience towards a specific emotion. A song can create irony, memory, tenderness, discomfort, or tragedy while something completely different is happening on screen. That tension between what you hear and what you see can make a scene stay with you much longer.
2026 first half; 7 films prove to be successful
9:50 AM
Box Office India Trade Network
The first half of the year has seen fair results with very few major releases until the last month of the first half. DHURANDHAR THE REVENGE was the stand out and although it was expected to be huge due to the results of DHURANDHAR, you still have to do the business and its always easier said than done especially when targets are so high.
The film emerged the third biggest blockbuster this century after GADAR and BAAHUBALI 2: THE CONCLUSION and is up there among the top 10-15 blockbusters of all time. The 1000 crore nett business done by this film is what propels the first half if you look at cumulative business. If this film was not there, the cumulative first six month total will be pretty bad.
BORDER 2 was the second biggest HIT of the first six months and as it was sandwiched between the DHURANDHAR films and on top the comparison was the insane business of GADAR 2. So, it was perceived that it could have done better but eventually the dust settles and 300 crore nett plus is a big number. The BORDER films remain the only WAR films to have done huge business in India.
The other two HITS of the year were the Akshay Kumar starrers BHOOTH BANGLA and WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE (potential HIT) as both scored good figures in the Hindi belts. BHOOTH BANGLA had an open run for weeks while WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE came in a hugely clustered period. Yet, it still went through well which is a huge victory as today numbers are difficult when there is competition all around due to less people coming to watch films in cinemas.
The low budget THE KERALA STORY 2: GOES BEYOND also did very well getting benefit of the awareness of the previous film though this one held up well enough also. So, obviously some of the audience liked it. The other two moderate successes were MAIN VAAPAS AAUNGA and MARDAANI 3.
The two biggest films ever made in Hindi cinema will release in the second half of the year with RAMAYANA and KING. Though its tough to be confident in the box office scenario today, you can be hopeful with the scale and casts these films will have.
The classifications of the first half of the year is as follows.
1. Dhurandhar The Revenge - ALL TIME BLOCKBUSTER
2. Border 2 - SUPER HIT
3. Bhooth Bangla - HIT
4. Welcome To The Jungle - HIT/SEMI HIT
5. The Kerala Srory 2: Goes Beyond - SEMI HIT
6. Main Vaapus Aaunga - AVERAGE
7. Mardaani 3 - AVERAGE
Netflix to widen India content play with four weekly launches, creator-led shows
10:01 AM
Javed Farooqui (THE ECONOMIC TIMES; July 8, 2026)
Netflix India is ramping up its content slate in the second half of 2026, with plans to release four titles a week across original series, films and licensed content, as the premium streaming platform broadens its programming beyond finite scripted shows to include non-fiction, comedy, longer-format series and creator-led content.
“In the second half of the year, we are launching four titles per week. We are ramping up our overall volume, though not at the expense of quality. We are programming more than 20 genres,” Netflix India vice-president, content, Monika Shergill told ET.
The push comes as streaming audiences in India become more open to varied formats, languages and genres across mobile and connected TV screens. Shergill said streaming has changed viewing behaviour by combining cinematic storytelling with the depth and frequency earlier associated with television.
“Streaming has married cinematic storytelling with a larger footprint of audience tastes, in terms of genres and languages,” she said. “Audiences are becoming genre-fluid and format-agnostic.”
Netflix’s slate reflects that shift. While premium scripted shows such as Taskaree: The Smuggler's Web, Kohraa and Super Subbu follow shorter episode structures, the platform is also experimenting with formats that require higher frequency or longer engagement.
Reality format Lock Upp: Sach Ya Sazaa, for instance, is designed as a five-days-a-week show, while upcoming slice-of-life comedy Chumbak will have more episodes because of its character-led family world.
The platform is also working more closely with digital creators who have built large communities on YouTube. Bhuvan Bam’s Dhindora Season 2 will stream exclusively on Netflix, while Samay Raina’s India's Got Latent 2 will come to Netflix in a co-exclusive format along with YouTube. Raina’s next stand-up special will be a Netflix exclusive.
Shergill said Netflix is not looking at these creators merely as social media personalities, but as storytellers with a distinct voice and strong audience connection.
“For us, it’s not about where a creator comes from. It’s about identifying unique voices,” she said. “Many YouTube creators have spent years building highly engaged communities by developing distinctive storytelling styles and understanding what resonates with their viewers.”
Non-fiction and comedy are also becoming bigger pillars for Netflix India. Its unscripted slate includes The Great Indian Kapil Show, India’s Got Latent 2 and Lock Upp: Sach Ya Sazaa. Shergill said audiences are returning to non-fiction as the streaming ecosystem matures after its first wave of premium scripted fandom.
“At its core, non-fiction appeals because people are fascinated by real people,” she said. “We enjoy watching individuals make difficult choices, navigate relationships, confront challenges, reveal their vulnerabilities and showcase their talents.”
On content sharing, Shergill said Dhurandhar The Revenge, backed by Jio Studios, was an exception rather than a broader strategy.
“We are not sharing films as a strategy. Dhurandhar was a very unique case because we have such a strong partnership with Jio Studios. We are not looking at splitting licences more broadly,” she said.
Shergill added that as streaming matures, platforms are becoming more disciplined in evaluating content investments. “Building a sustainable business is about balancing quality, diversity of storytelling and disciplined investment,” she said.
Netflix is also investing in the creative ecosystem through the NextGen India Writers’ Program, a two-month hybrid mentorship initiative for emerging screenwriters with up to three years of professional experience. Participants will work on long-form storytelling, character development, world-building and series bibles.
2026 January to June: Bollywood finds its mojo again
8:44 AM
Vinay MR Mishra (BOMBAY TIMES; July 4, 2026)
Just six months ago, Bollywood was staring at another uncertain year. Today, the mood is noticeably brighter. Driven by the record-smashing success of Dhurandhar The Revenge, strong performances from the war action film Border 2, followed by the horror comedy Bhooth Bangla, and now the sleeper hit Main Vaapas Aaunga, the Hindi film industry finally has something it has lacked for years: momentum.
Yet beneath the celebrations lies a reality check. While a handful of films have soared, many others have struggled to survive, making 2026 a story so far, one of spectacular highs and equally visible lows. As trade analyst Taran Adarsh puts it, "It has been a case of kam khushi zyada gham. We've had successes, but very few that you can count on your fingertips."
'The biggest hit of 2026 is the word of mouth’
If the first half of 2026 proved anything, it is that Bollywood's audience has become more discerning than ever. Films that connected emotionally and generated strong word-of-mouth continued to grow beyond their opening weekend. Films that relied solely on star value found the road much tougher.
"The biggest trend in the first half of 2026 was the power of word-of-mouth," says trade analyst Ramesh Bala. "Films like Main Vaapas Aaunga, Border 2, Bhooth Bangla, and Dhurandhar The Revenge sustained because audiences connected with them."
Akkshay Rathie, Director - Ashirwad Theatres Pvt Ltd, adds, "To see Main Vaapas Aaunga open small but grow day by day purely on the merits of word-of-mouth is extremely encouraging.”
Novelty is winning. Formulas aren't
One of the clearest shifts this year has been the audience's appetite for fresh storytelling. "I don't think audiences are rewarding the repetition of a genre or style that has worked before. What people really appreciate is novelty and bravery from filmmakers. The repetition and herd mentality of trying to replicate success is something that we should put well behind us and we should have filmmakers staying true to their conviction to the stories that they really want to tell and to genres that come very naturally to them. And the more we see that happening, the more successful we'll be as an industry at the box office," says Rathi.
The Dhurandhar Effect
The biggest winner of the year was undoubtedly Dhurandhar The Revenge, which shattered box-office records and redefined the upper ceiling of Hindi cinema's theatrical potential.
Rathi shares, "One movie that really towers above every other movie in the last six months is of course Dhurandhar The Revenge. The box-office collections that we witnessed were truly historic. We realized that the glass ceiling we thought existed at the Rs. 500-600 crore benchmark has been shattered. The potential of the Hindi-speaking market is humongous."
He adds, "I hope more films attempt to build the intrinsic value that allows them to go closer to those numbers."
'Average films won't survive'
While the industry celebrates its winners, films like O'Romeo, which was highly anticipated due to the reunion of Kaminey duo Shahid Kapoor and Vishal Bhardwaj, and Chand Mera Dil starring Ananya Panday and Lakshya that looked promising didn’t quite shine at the box office.
While Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai may have recovered its budget, the film's poor reviews and underwhelming box office performance have left a lingering sense of disappointment. Do Deewane Seher Mein, won appreciation from critics and the audience, but the film couldn’t draw in the crowds. Ikkis, Ek Din and Pati Patni Aur Woh Do also failed to attract the kind of audience they were expected to.
"The gap between films that work and films that don't has become very evident," says Taran Adarsh. Ramesh Bala echoes the concern. "Audiences have become far more selective, making it difficult for average films to survive."
The second half could be even bigger
The industry now turns its attention to a packed second-half slate. From King and Toxic, Dhamaal 4 and Ramayana, the coming months are loaded with franchise titles, star vehicles and large-scale spectacles.
"With the kind of movies lined up in the second half, 2026 is well on its way to being an iconic year," says Rathi.
Bala adds, "If these films live up to expectations, the second half could be even stronger than the first."
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Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; July 2, 2026)
The first half of 2026 has delivered a much-needed boost to the film industry, with audiences backing films across genres, languages and budgets. Strong theatrical footfalls, breakout regional successes and the return of comedy have helped restore confidence in the business after a volatile few years.
“For the industry, admissions are up by at least 10%, and the box office, our estimate is, would be up by at least 16-17%, if not more,” says Kamal Gianchandani, president of the Multiplex Association of India.
What worked
From patriotic dramas and comedies to regional cinema, the year’s biggest successes came from varied genres. Sunny Deol’s Border 2 emerged as one of the biggest hits of the year, while Dhurandhar The Revenge became the highest-grossing Hindi film of 2026 so far.
Comedy also found favour with audiences. Akshay Kumar’s reunion with Priyadarshan in Bhooth Bangla paid off at the box office, while his latest release, Welcome To The Jungle, has continued the momentum, netting over Rs. 80 crore within five days of its release.
For Devang Sampat, managing director, Cinepolis India, the biggest takeaway has been the diversity of successful films: “Dhurandhar The Revenge, Border 2, Bhooth Bangla all did well, but for me the real takeaway is how broad the success has been. The business has come from all kinds of films, across languages and across budgets, not just the big titles.”
One of the biggest surprises of the year has been Imtiaz Ali’s Main Vaapas Aaunga. Despite a modest opening, strong word of mouth helped the film steadily gain momentum and move towards hit status.
Reflecting on the film’s journey, Imtiaz had earlier told us, “It’s the audience who has embraced the film. Somewhere, the industry had started saying ki ‘Arre kuchh bhi halka phulka de do audience ko, chal jaayega, emotional mat do’. But the people proved this wrong.”
What didn’t
Yet, not every well-reviewed film translated into ticket sales. Vishal Bhardwaj’s O'Romeo, Ananya Panday and Lakshya’s Chand Mera Dil, Anurag Kashyap’s Bandar and Kangana Ranaut’s Bharat Bhhagya Viddhaata failed to generate the expected box-office momentum despite positive reviews and strong subjects.
Trade analyst Atul Mohan believes financial discipline is becoming just as important as content in determining a film’s fate. “The first half has been so far, so good. Like Akshay Kumar and Ranveer Singh, actors need to shoulder the responsibility of a film, and not burden it with their high fees,” he says.
The message from the first half of 2026 is clear: audiences are showing up for good stories, regardless of genre or budget. But they are also more selective than ever, making strong content and positive word-of-mouth Bollywood’s safest bets.
You should be privileged to get my thappad-Saumya Tandon
8:39 AM
Onkar Kulkarni (BOMBAY TIMES; July 3, 2026)
For an actor who had relatively few lines in Dhurandhar, Saumya Tandon found herself at the centre of one of the franchise’s most discussed moments. As Ulfath Rehman, the wife of Rehman Dakait (Akshaye Khanna), she portrayed much of the character’s grief, anger and resilience through silence rather than dialogue — a challenge she later revisited in Dhurandhar 2 The Revenge.
Ironically, what audiences remember most are the slaps. When told she has earned the unofficial title of Bollywood’s newest “Thappad Queen”, Saumya laughs and says, “I’ll take that as a compliment. But those scenes were never really about the slap. There was so much happening underneath — the emotions, the conflict, the pain. They were actually among the most difficult scenes I’ve done.”
She reveals that the physical action may have lasted only a moment, but the emotional build-up required far more work. “People remember the thappad, but for me it was everything before and after it. Har kisi ko thappad nahi milta hai... you should be privileged to get my thappad,” she adds.
One of those scenes involved Ranveer Singh and talking about that Saumya shares, “I really didn’t want to slap him. I kept hoping there would be some camera trick. But he kept saying, ‘Go for it.’ Finally, he picked up my hand and said, ‘Maar de.’ After that, there was no escaping it.”
Away from the intense world of Dhurandhar, Saumya is now looking ahead to a very different project with filmmaker Sooraj Barjatya. The shift, she says, is part of a conscious effort to avoid being boxed into one kind of role.
“People have seen me in cheerful, bubbly characters. Then they saw me in a much more intense space. As an actor, I feel there is still a lot left to explore. I really want to do a romance film. I hope I get to play many different shades and keep surprising people,” she says.
Dhurandhar and then what? Bollywood's box office blues return after one big hit
10:38 AM
Outdated story formulas, fading star power bring string of failures soon after the success of Dhurandhar 2
Rajesh N Naidu (THE ECONOMIC TIMES; June 18, 2026)
Mumbai: After the blockbuster success of Dhurandhar The Revenge, Hindi cinema has slipped back into a slump, with at least seven consecutive box-office failures following the moderate performance of Bhooth Bangla, trade data showed.
Films such as Chand Mera Dil, Ek Din, Daadi Ki Shaadi, Pati Patni Aur Woh Do, Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai and Bandar, despite featuring well-known casts and filmmakers, have failed to draw audiences.
Industry experts told ET that Bollywood's continued dependence on outdated storytelling formulas, fading star power, inability to adapt to evolving audience preferences, weak marketing campaigns and the failure to turn films into social media-driven cultural events have all contributed to the poor performance.
Producers and exhibitors said the industry has struggled to organically build audiences around films before their releases, a strategy increasingly crucial for box-office success.
Also, increasingly, makers in the Hindi film industry have a huge disconnect with audiences' tastes, said exhibitors.
"These films are rejected. Audiences want to come to theatres. The successes of Tamil film Karuppu or even the small-budget experimental horror film Obsession prove it. One needs to bring the right product at the right time. This is how the business works. Smart producers adjust to genres and not make what they think audiences will like," explained Vishek Chauhan, CEO of Roopbani Cinema, a single-screen theatre in Bihar.
"Earlier, big directors would constantly communicate with well-penetrated distributors to understand audiences' preferences and tastes. This is how they made films. This is not the case today," he added.
Apart from animation, horror genre has emerged as a favourite among audiences in India and abroad. Recently, a small-budget franchise Hindi film Haunted – Echoes Of The Past, which was released without marketing, collected Rs. 13.5 crore in the first six days of its release.
Another reason may have been dated stories and style. "These recent films are made in the old mould. You cannot make a Hindi film with the 1990s story and expect it to click with audiences. Today, audiences reward 'unique' writing. It is not about stars or a film's budget. Given the high costs that are involved in a theatre visit, these films made in the old mould do not provide a strong reason for audiences to come to theatres," said producer Rajesh R Nair.
"It is about intent. After the pandemic, I have not seen a major film launched which has matched up to the evolved taste of audiences. The intent is totally missing. If one starts a film then one must sense the audience's tastes 18 months in advance to be relevant," explained Girish Johar, producer and film business expert.
Dhurandhar The Revenge top grosser in West Bengal; 2nd highest hit in CP Berar after Pushpa 2 - The Rule
9:20 AM
Box Office India Trade Network
DHURANDHAR THE REVENGE has smashed the record for Hindi films across India by a huge margin of 30% but it has turned out to be no competition for PUSHPA 2 - THE RULE in CP Berar as the latter is around 27-28% better. DHURANDHAR THE REVENGE has done extraordinarily well in the circuit but the collections of PUSHPA 2 - THE RULE were something else due to the appreciation of PUSHPA: THE RISE - PART 01 in the centers of CP Berar.
There are other circuits where DHURANDHAR THE REVENGE is second best to PUSHPA 2 - THE RULE like Rajasthan, CI, Bihar and Odisha and also sub circuit Gujarat but the gaps are nothing like CP Berar. Even an Odisha, where the gap was most likely to be the highest, is only 15% less but it can be due to a Telugu version of PUSHPA 2 - THE RULE in play in the circuit. Both CP Berar and Odisha have a history of out performing for South films. Even that 80's phase where they were not South films but Hindi films made by South producers/directors tended to do better in these circuits.
DHURANDHAR THE REVENGE may not be the top grossing film in the circuits mentioned above but to be close to a PUSHPA 2 - THE RULE in the likes of Rajasthan, CI, Bihar and Gujarat is actually a huge achievement in itself as the former is not a mass film like the latter and that can be seen by the collections in the smaller centres of these circuits. It is the bigger centres of these circuits be it a Jaipur, Patna or Indore which have taken it close to the PUSHPA 2 - THE RULE collections. The biggest film in the circuit ever is SHOLAY (1975) like in most circuits while second place you would give to HUM AAPKE HAI KOUN (1994). This century, it would be GADAR (2001) followed by PUSHPA 2 - THE RULE.
The all time top ten grossers in CP Berar are as follows.
1. Pushpa 2 - The Rule - 56,07,00,000
2. Dhurandhar The Revenge - 44,09,00,000
3. Baahubali 2: The Conclusion - 34,84,00,000
4. Chhaava - 34,40,00,000
5. Dhurandhar - 33,79,00,000
6. Gadar 2 - 32,32,00,000
7. Stree 2 - 30,70,00,000
8. KGF - Chapter 2 - 28,03,50,000
9. Animal - 23,86,50,000
10. Jawan -22,14,00,000
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DHURANDHAR THE REVENGE has emerged the highest grossing film ever in West Bengal which did not look like happening on release. It was pretty much certain on day one that it would be the top film in North India, South India and probably Mumbai as well though Central and Eastern side would be tougher. It has not got to the top in any circuit in the Central circuits of Rajasthan, CP Berar and CI but has managed to be number one in West Bengal and Assam in the East.
The record in West Bengal was a big one as JAWAN had a big total which was 9 crore nett higher than anything else and West Bengal had been one of the weaker circuits for DHURANDHAR. Compared to JAWAN, it has underperformed in West Bengal but that is more to do with the Shah Rukh Khan factor who is by far the biggest star in the circuit. It can be seen below that it is JAWAN and PATHAAN that have out performed in this circuit. So, despite the star factor not being what it used to be, it still pays a part but its area by area an is not across the board.
There is also WAR but had advantage of Puja week and its possible that Hrithik Roshan is next most popular star here after Shah Rukh Khan. DHURANDHAR also has that Punjabi base which historically has never worked that well in West Bengal but the series overcame that too as well due to the content. DHURANDHAR THE REVENGE is practically at the end of its run and will finish at around 44.25 crore nett as its hardly playing in the circuit now.
The top ten grossers in West Bengal are as follows.
1. Dhurandhar The Revenge - 44,25,00,000 apprx (Ten Weeks)
2. Jawan - 43,68,50,000
3. Pushpa 2 - The Rule - 35,32,00,000
4. Pathaan - 34,95,00,000
5. Dhurandhar - 32,56,00,000
6. Stree 2 - 28,18,00,000
7. Baahubali 2: The Conclusion - 27,47,00,000
8. KGF - Chapter 2 - 24,77,50,000
9. War - 22,89,50,000
10. Animal - 19,69,00,000
Top 10 overseas grossers - Dhurandhar The Revenge sits between Pathaan, Jawan
9:13 AM
Box Office India Trade Network
DHURANDHAR THE REVENGE has emerged the second highest grossing Hindi film ever after PATHAAN as it collects $47 million plus and this includes Nepal as the general figures from the overseas distributors will not include this. The collections without Nepal are $46.375 million till date. The film has finished a little short of PATHAAN but with a Gulf release, it would have been way ahead. In terms of INR, it is the highest ever due to the ever weakening Rupee. It has a gross of 438 crore compared to the 396 crore of PATHAAN.
It would have become the first film to cross $50 million and maybe even $60 million. Its hard to judge how much Gulf would have done. JAWAN is best with $17.70 million and if we take that figure, it would be $65 million for DHURANDHAR THE REVENGE but its an unknown how much it would have done in Gulf. You can probably say $10 million was certain and $20 million was potential as the Muslim crowd may have been compensated by the South Indian crowd like its happened in UK but this is an unknown and will remain that way.
JAWAN would be in second place if we count the collections from the regional versions but that's going away from the Hindi film and in that way there are many films which got a Far East release which are ahead with Dangal on top at $233.80 million. The Far East countries may well be showing a Hindi subtitled or dubbed version but generally its not the same as the original Hindi film. In this way DHURANDHAR THE REVENGE is the eighth highest grossing film overseas.
The business of DHURANDHAR THE REVENGE easily puts that $50 million target up for grabs for the original film and there are a couple of big films later on this year which can target that figure.
The top ten grossers Overseas for original Hindi films are as follows.
1. Pathaan -$48,500,000
2. Dhurandhar The Revenge - $47,100,000
3. Jawan - $46,800,000
4. Dhrandhar - $32,00,0000
5. Dangal -$30,700,000
6. Padmaavat - $29,140,000
7. Bajrangi Bhaijaan - $28,640,000
8. Dhoom 3 - $28,330,000
9. Animal - $27,210,000
10. Dilwale - $26,580,000
Dhurandhar makers’ internal investigation found Saini S Johray guilty of sexual molestation before FIR; credits removed
8:38 AM
As ‘Dhurandhar’ production designer Saini S Johray faces sexual harassment allegations, mid-day finds out film’s POSH Committee investigated the complaint last year; dropped him from latest OTT version after guilty verdict
Priyanka Sharma (MID-DAY; May 29, 2026)
As ‘Dhurandhar’ production designer Saini S Johray faces sexual harassment allegations, mid-day finds out film’s POSH Committee investigated the complaint last year; dropped him from latest OTT version after guilty verdict
A source revealed that the complaint first reached the studio in October 2025, which immediately activated its Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) Committee. “The POSH committee did a thorough investigation, given the sensitivity of the matter and the production house’s no-tolerance policy towards harassment,” said a source.
Another source shared that the POSH committee, by March-end, found Johray guilty. “It was a six-month investigation that ended around late March-April. He was found guilty on two counts — sexual molestation and tampering of evidence. The committee communicated the findings to the complainant,” revealed the source.
The finding appears to have impacted Johray’s association with the movie. While his credit appeared in Dhurandhar’s (2025) OTT version that premièred on January 30, 2026, it has gone missing from the ‘Raw and Undekha’ version that dropped on the streamer on May 22.
As for Dhurandhar The Revenge, which released this March, it remains unknown whether he was credited in the theatrical version. However, his name doesn’t appear on the sequel’s IMDb page.
While Johray was arrested by the Chandigarh Police after an FIR was filed against him in the matter in April, he was granted bail by the district court later.
Dhurandhar The Revenge fails to top Pushpa 2 - The Rule in 5 circuits; achieves record 4 cr footfalls
10:07 AM
Box Office India Trade Network
DHURANDHAR THE REVENGE has crossed the 1000 crore nett mark and is easily the biggest Hindi grosser ever but in certain markets it sill remains less than PUSHPA 2 - THE RULE despite the all India figure being far higher. DHURANDHAR THE REVENGE has failed to get the highest total in Rajasthan, CP Berar, CI, Bihar and Odisha all ending below PUSHPA 2 - THE RULE. Its a similar story in the state of Gujarat but that comes into Mumbai circuit and overall the collections of DHURANDHAR THE REVENGE are higher in the circuit by more than 10%.
A circuit where DHURANDHAR THE REVENGE did not look like being the biggest was West Bengal but with a prolonged run it has edged past the numbers of JAWAN which was the highest grossing film in this circuit. It was Assam and West Bengal which stopped PUSHPA 2 - THE RULE getting the highest totals in all circuits. For DHURANDHAR THE REVENGE, its the mass circuits which has stopped the film showing complete domination all over. In many of these mass circuits, the figures are higher than PUSHPA 2 - THE RULE in the bigger centers and major multiplexes but its the smaller centers and smaller cinemas be it independent plexes or single screens where it is less.
The last film to have the highest figure in all circuits was BAAHUBALI 2: THE CONCLUSION and before that it was HUM AAPKE HAIN KOUN and SHOLAY. Even GADAR - EK PREM KATHA did not manage as it could not beat HUM AAPKE HAIN KOUN in Maharashtra and parts of the Eastern circuit. It means only 3 films in the last 50 years have seen numbers which have been the highest across all circuits.
DHURANDHAR THE REVENGE has beaten the previous all India total by almost 30% but still some circuits remain less which shows how tough it is and how tastes differ in different circuits. In a circuit like CP Berar, the gap is pretty huge as PUSHPA 2 - THE RULE did 57 crore nett and DHURANDHAR THE REVENGE will do 45 crore nett. In Rajasthan, the gap is lesser with PUSHPA 2 - THE RULE on 47.50 crore and DHURANDHAR THE REVENGE on 46 crore nett.
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DHURANDHAR THE REVENGE is coming to an end of its run and will be finish with 4 crore footfalls apprx. The collections will end with 1005 crore nett and the ATP (Average Ticket Price) will be over INR 300 which has never been seen before. A few years ago BLOCKBUSTERS like PATHAAN, JAWAN and ANIMAL saw an ATP of around 220 and in just three years here is a film with a 35% higher Average Ticket Price.
PUSHPA 2 - THE RULE, released in 2024, had an ATP of 230 and although the multiplexes had comfortably far higher pricing than the likes of ANIMAL and JAWAN, it also had a lot appeal in mass centers which bought the overall ATP down as it should be 10-15% higher than the 2023 films but was only 5% higher. There is a difference of only 10 lakh footfalls between PUSHPA 2 - THE RULE and DHURANDHAR THE REVENGE. However, the box office collection is around 280 crore nett more. PUSHPA 2 - THE RULE had 3.90 crore footfalls.
This is the highest footfall for an original Hindi film since GADAR in 2001 which is a pretty long time to wait for a 4 crore footfall film. The way it was going in the initial few days it looked like even 4.5-5 crore was possible but the mass appeal was not quite there at that insane level. This is not to say the film did not have mass appeal but not to the level of 5 crore footfalls.
This 4 crore footfall mark did look like it would was an impossible task the way business was going post pandemic and more than that the way pricing was going but never say never. It can easily be said that 5 crore is a dream at present and you never know what happens with the right content. The pricing going up and up means footfalls do become tougher though it makes it easier for initial records when the urgency is there.
There may have been no 4 crore footfall film from the Hindi film industry between 2001 and 2026 but there were plenty before 2001 and it maybe around 25-30 films which got over 4 crore. But then, times were different and although there was a lesser population, the craze for films and stars was far higher.
Dhurandhar The Revenge first film to cross 10 million mark in Canada
2:21 PM
Box Office India Trade Network
DHURANDHAR THE REVENGE smashed all records in Canada as it has collected almost $10.8 million till date which is a record by a distance and the first $10 million Indian film in the country. The film beat the record of DHURANDHAR by over $3 million and ANIMAL, by $3.7 million which are second and third best.
The market has grown by leaps and bound post the pandemic and is the fastest growing market for Hindi films in Overseas. There was a time 8-10 years back when $2 million was a big mark in Canada and here you have a film crossing $10 million. The share of Canada from the US/Canada market is 31% for DHURANDHAR THE REVENGE. This is roughly the average today though if the film has less of a gentry audience, then Canada can go up as USA has a bigger market for gentry films.
DHURANDHAR THE REVENGE has not beaten the BAAHUBALI 2: THE CONCLUSION record in USA alone as that was $19.9 million and DHURANDHAR THE REVENGE will be $17.5 million. But BAAHUBALI 2: THE CONCLUSION was only $275k in Canada while DHURANDHAR's sequel will be $7.9 million (USD) giving it $25.4 million total as compared to $20.175 million of BAAHUBALI 2.
Below are the all time top grossers in Canada. All figures are in CAD $.
1. Dhurandhar The Revenge - $10,800,000
2. Dhurandhar - $7,700,000
3. Animal - $7,103,000
4. Pathaan - $6,054,000
5. Jawan - $5,278,000
6. Pushpa 2 - The Rule - $4,218,000
7. Stree 2 - $4,213,000
8. Jatt & Juliet 3 - $3,860,000
9. Kalki 2898 AD - $3,623,000
10. Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani - $3,281,000
Yash had told Varun Dhawan that if there’s any further change, he will let him know-Ramesh Taurani
10:50 PM
Renuka Vyavahare (BOMBAY TIMES; April 30, 2026)
On Wednesday, Yash announced that his film Toxic: A Fairy Tale For Grown-ups , which was slated for a June 4 release, has been further delayed. Some weeks ago, to avoid a clash with Toxic, David Dhawan’s next, Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai, was pushed to June 12.
In an online post, Yash, without revealing his new release date for Toxic , said, “We will release the film at a later, globally aligned date.” With this new turn of events, David Dhawan’s film is back to its original release date, June 5.
Talking about this, Ramesh Taurani, producer of Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai , told us, “Yash and Varun are good friends. They got closer when Yash first announced that they have delayed their release to June 4. Their original release date was clashing with Dhurandhar The Revenge. Toxic ’s revised release date was slated a day before our film, so at that point we decided to release our film on June 12.”
Taurani further added, “Yash had told Varun that if there’s any further change, he will let him know. As soon as they decided to push it further, he informed Varun, and we decided to go back to our original release date, June 5. We had chosen this date eight months ago, so we are glad we got it back.”
Making of Dhurandhar to release in theatres later this year
4:59 PM
Akash Bhatnagar (HINDUSTAN TIMES; April 22, 2026)
Filmmaker Aditya Dhar’s Dhurandhar (2025) and Dhurandhar The Revenge have shattered multiple box office records, crossing Rs. 3,000 crore worldwide. Now, HT City has exclusively learnt that the making of the Dhurandhar franchise is headed to theatres, which is a first-of-its-kind move for an Indian film.
An insider source reveals, “The craze for Dhurandhar is so much that the makers have decided to turn even the making of the film into a spectacle. All the behind-the-scenes footage and cast interviews will be collated into a full-length feature film and will be unveiled as a theatrical release in the last quarter of 2026, and then eventually make it to OTT as well.”
The source adds, “All the major players in the film, including actors Ranveer Singh and Arjun Rampal, and Aditya, are not doing any media interactions because their first interviews will be part of this BTS film. It is a first for any Indian film, and the makers are ensuring that no BTS footage goes out on social media before the release,” the source adds.
We reached out to the team of Dhurandhar for comment, but did not receive a response till the time of going to press.
Fenil's Bollywood Talk # 930
5:06 PM
WILL BHOOTH BANGLA EMERGE AS A SUCCESS FOR AKSHAY KUMAR?
7 months after his last release, Jolly LLB 3, Akshay Kumar will be back on the big screen tonight with Bhooth Bangla. The film reunites him with Priyadarshan and hence, the excitement is tremendous.
Bhooth Bangla is a horror comedy and also stars Wamiqa Gabbi, Tabu, Mithila Palkar, Paresh Rawal, Rajpal Yadav, Asrani, Manoj Joshi and others. The trailer seems entertaining and it indicates that Akshay and Priyadarshan are trying to back the glorious era of comedy. Moreover, horror is the flavour of the season. Hence, this aspect has further appealed to the audience.
However, the songs have failed to become chartbusters. While many appreciated the use of jokes from old films to create a nostalgic appeal, a section of the audience had reservations about it. Thankfully, the film's timing is correct. Usually nowadays, viewers prefer to wait for reviews before booking tickets. But in the case of Bhooth Bangla, the advance ticket sales are healthy, possibly as there hasn't been any film since Dhurandhar The Revenge, which released a month ago.
Bhooth Bangla will have a full-fledged release on April 17, with paid previews starting at 9:00 pm on April 16. The film is expected to collect Rs. 2-3 crores in paid previews. On Friday, the film should collect Rs. 12-13 crores with an outside chance of crossing the Rs. 15 crore mark.
At one point, Akshay Kumar was having a dream run, but post pandemic, his track record suffered. Sooryavanshi was his best opener at Rs. 26.11 crores, followed by Housefull 5 (Rs. 22 crores), Bade Miyan Chote Miyan (Rs. 15 crores), Ram Setu (Rs. 15 crores), Sky Force (Rs. 13.50 crores), Jolly LLB 3 (Rs. 12.50 crores), Bachchhan Paanday (Rs. 12.18 crores) and Samrat Prithviraj (Rs. 10.58 crores). The rest of his films have opened at single digits. The aim for Bhooth Bangla should be to go past the Rs. 15 crore mark so that it could be his third biggest opener in the post-pandemic era.
Meanwhile, Lee Cronin's The Mummy also releases tomorrow, and its advance is decent. It should open at around Rs. 1 crore plus.
7 months after his last release, Jolly LLB 3, Akshay Kumar will be back on the big screen tonight with Bhooth Bangla. The film reunites him with Priyadarshan and hence, the excitement is tremendous.
Bhooth Bangla is a horror comedy and also stars Wamiqa Gabbi, Tabu, Mithila Palkar, Paresh Rawal, Rajpal Yadav, Asrani, Manoj Joshi and others. The trailer seems entertaining and it indicates that Akshay and Priyadarshan are trying to back the glorious era of comedy. Moreover, horror is the flavour of the season. Hence, this aspect has further appealed to the audience.
However, the songs have failed to become chartbusters. While many appreciated the use of jokes from old films to create a nostalgic appeal, a section of the audience had reservations about it. Thankfully, the film's timing is correct. Usually nowadays, viewers prefer to wait for reviews before booking tickets. But in the case of Bhooth Bangla, the advance ticket sales are healthy, possibly as there hasn't been any film since Dhurandhar The Revenge, which released a month ago.
Bhooth Bangla will have a full-fledged release on April 17, with paid previews starting at 9:00 pm on April 16. The film is expected to collect Rs. 2-3 crores in paid previews. On Friday, the film should collect Rs. 12-13 crores with an outside chance of crossing the Rs. 15 crore mark.
At one point, Akshay Kumar was having a dream run, but post pandemic, his track record suffered. Sooryavanshi was his best opener at Rs. 26.11 crores, followed by Housefull 5 (Rs. 22 crores), Bade Miyan Chote Miyan (Rs. 15 crores), Ram Setu (Rs. 15 crores), Sky Force (Rs. 13.50 crores), Jolly LLB 3 (Rs. 12.50 crores), Bachchhan Paanday (Rs. 12.18 crores) and Samrat Prithviraj (Rs. 10.58 crores). The rest of his films have opened at single digits. The aim for Bhooth Bangla should be to go past the Rs. 15 crore mark so that it could be his third biggest opener in the post-pandemic era.
Meanwhile, Lee Cronin's The Mummy also releases tomorrow, and its advance is decent. It should open at around Rs. 1 crore plus.
My followers have now tripled; sleep has reduced, but I find my peace-Rakesh Bedi
10:27 AM
Deep Saxena (HINDUSTAN TIMES; April 12, 2026)
Veteran actor Rakesh Bedi is riding a renewed wave of success with Dhurandhar The Revenge, and life, he says, has taken a dramatic turn. “Sleep has reduced, but I find my peace. Otherwise, you won’t survive. Interviews, podcasts, brand shoots, endorsements, plays and reels are taking up a lot of my time — and I’m enjoying it,” he tells us.
The 71-year-old says while he has seen several successful phases in his career, this one feels distinctly different. “I’ve had wonderful phases before — Ek Duuje Ke Liye (1981), Chashme Buddoor, Yeh Jo Hai Zindagi (1984), Shrimaan Shrimati (1994) — but this is something else. We didn’t have social media then. Today, success multiplies instantly, and even negativity can be managed just as quickly,” he says.
Bedi points to the impact of digital platforms on his popularity: “Before Dhurandhar, I had around 2 lakh followers, which have now tripled. I used to wonder how influencers get millions of followers, what do they even do? Today, a reel can achieve overnight what once took years. I’m still trying to process it, but I’m going with the tide.”
With offers pouring in, the actor says he is trying to strike a balance. “I’m getting a lot of work and trying to manage as much as I can, keeping my age and physical limitations in mind. I am also saying no to some things,” he admits.
At the same time, Bedi is aware that such success is rare. “Matching the expectations now will be tough, not just for me, but for everyone involved... These are once-in-a-lifetime moments, and not everyone gets them,” says the actor.
Up next, he will be seen in David Dhawan’s Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai and the OTT series Raakh. “There are other projects too, but it’s too early to talk about them,” the actor signs off.
Nabil Gabol comparisons
Addressing comparisons with Pakistani politician Nabil Gabol, Bedi, who plays Jameel Jamali in the film, a character inspired by the real-life politician, says, “We may resemble each other, but that doesn’t mean I’ve impersonated him. I haven’t copied him at all. Initially, after the first part, he was a bit upset and even considered legal action. But after the sequel, he’s grown fond of me.”
Rajiv Rai on suing Dhurandhar 2 makers over use of Oye Oye: "Didn’t create song for some guy to mutilate it"
11:31 PM
Suing ‘Dhurandhar The Revenge’ makers over alleged copyright infringement, ‘Tridev’ director Rajiv Rai says his ’80s contract with the music label didn’t include remix clause
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; April 10, 2026)
Oye Oye was everywhere when the film, Tridev, released in 1989. Today, over three decades later, the chartbuster has landed filmmaker Aditya Dhar and his massive hit Dhurandhar The Revenge in legal trouble. Last week, Tridev filmmaker Rajiv Rai filed a lawsuit against Dhar’s banner B62 Studios for allegedly using his song in the movie without seeking his permission.
“After I saw the movie and my song in it, I was in shock. I filed [the legal suit] now because it takes time to move the court,” said Rai, on a call with mid-day.
In the first hearing that took place on April 9, Rai’s production house Trimurti Films alleged that the usage of Oye Oye amounted to copyright infringement. While the filmmaker admitted that Tridev’s music was sold to late Gulshan Kumar and his label T-Series in the late ’80s, his point of contention is that the contract did not mention anything about the songs being remixed. According to him, composer Shashwat Sachdev reimagining it as Rang De Lal is a copyright violation.
He said, “I count all my songs as my creativity, along with that of the music director and lyricist. The catch is when you sold the music in the ’70s and ’80s, you had to sign a [contract]. In it, there was no [mention of] remixes or that one could take a song and put it in another film. That phenomenon didn’t exist then. I’m sure when you sign that piece of paper, you don’t sign away your copyright, IP [Intellectual Property], or creative rights. I have not created the song for some guy to mutilate it.”
For Rai, what added insult to the injury is the reinterpretation of the track. “They have mutilated Oye Oye, and the young producer [Dhar] feigns innocence. They have crossed the line. Where is their conscience? My lawyer said [the case] becomes too ambiguous [due to the contract]. But where have I given the permission to mutilate my song?”
What’s the practice today?
- During a film’s making, the producer is the primary copyright holder for the music.
- The music label acquires these rights from the producer while buying the film’s music. Contemporary contracts of labels include the all formats clause, which means the company has the power to remix and recreate the acquired songs.
- In the absence of an all formats clause, before remixing a song, the label has to take consent from the producer, who in turn has to seek permission from the composer, lyricist, and other stakeholders.
------------------------------------------
Natasha Coutinho (HINDUSTAN TIMES; April 10, 2026)
Even as Dhurandhar The Revenge continues shattering box office records, the Aditya Dhar film has landed in legal trouble. Production house Trimurti Films has filed a lawsuit against Dhar’s B62 Studios over ‘unauthorised use’ of the song Oye Oye.
The dispute concerns the rights to the track, co-composed by Kalyanji-Anandji and Viju Shah with lyrics by Anand Bakshi. Originally featured in Rajiv Rai’s 1989 film Tridev, the song was sung by Amit Kumar and Sapna Mukherjee. In its plea, Trimurti Films has claimed that the song, or a version substantially similar to it, has been used in Dhurandhar The Revenge without obtaining the necessary licences or permissions.
When contacted, Dhar’s legal representative Parag Khandhar, told us, “The matter was heard in court on Thursday. No interim injunction was granted over the song in the film. The Delhi High Court has referred all parties to mediation, scheduled for April 22, and deferred the hearing to May 6.”
A representative from Trimurti Films also confirmed that the matter is currently being dealt with in court.
Fenil's Bollywood Talk # 929
5:17 PM
DHURANDHAR THE REVENGE SLOWS DOWN; WILL DACOIT TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE DRY PERIOD?
Dhurandhar The Revenge has slowed down a bit, but continues to find a steady audience across the country. After collecting Rs. 590 crores in Week 1 and Rs. 228.97 crores in Week 2, it started the third week with a bang. While the second Thursday collections were Rs. 16 crores, the film saw a jump on its third Friday as it earned Rs. 20 crores. This was possible due to the Good Friday holiday and zero competition.
As a result, the Saturday and Sunday jumps were low. On Saturday, the film collected Rs. 23 crores, while Sunday earnings were Rs. 25 crores. On Monday, it slipped to single digits for the first time, collecting Rs. 8.50 crores. Hence, its 26-day collections were Rs. 895.83 crores. This also means that it crossed the Rs. 900 crore club on Tuesday. By the end of the third week, the film is expected to earn in the range of Rs. 915 and 920 crores.
This way, the third-week collections are expected to be around Rs. 100 crores. If it reaches Rs. 920 crore mark by Thursday, it means that it’ll have to earn Rs. 80 crores more to hit the coveted Rs. 1000 crore mark. Thankfully for the makers, there’s limited competition on Friday, April 10. Yet, collecting Rs. 80 odd crores will be a challenge now that the film is seeing dropping collections. But the box office is unpredictable and if it manages to collect steadily over the next few weeks, the unthinkable can happen.
This week will see the release of Dacoit. It’s a bi-lingual shot in Telugu as well as Hindi and stars Adivi Sesh, Mrunal Thakur and Anurag Kashyap. The promotions for this film have been going on for a long time. The makers released the teaser back in December and held an event for it then.
Initially, the film was scheduled to be released on March 19 to coincide with the Ugadi holiday. But due to strong competition from Dhurandhar The Revenge, the makers chose to postpone the release to April 10.
The advance booking for the Telugu version is very strong in India as well as overseas. However, the ticket sales in Hindi are poor. The hope is that the film would open at Rs. 1 crore and then grow well with positive word-of-mouth. The timing is right as Dhurandhar The Revenge has been massively consumed. Hence, those wanting to take a trip to the cinema over the weekend should prefer Dacoit.
Dhurandhar The Revenge has slowed down a bit, but continues to find a steady audience across the country. After collecting Rs. 590 crores in Week 1 and Rs. 228.97 crores in Week 2, it started the third week with a bang. While the second Thursday collections were Rs. 16 crores, the film saw a jump on its third Friday as it earned Rs. 20 crores. This was possible due to the Good Friday holiday and zero competition.
As a result, the Saturday and Sunday jumps were low. On Saturday, the film collected Rs. 23 crores, while Sunday earnings were Rs. 25 crores. On Monday, it slipped to single digits for the first time, collecting Rs. 8.50 crores. Hence, its 26-day collections were Rs. 895.83 crores. This also means that it crossed the Rs. 900 crore club on Tuesday. By the end of the third week, the film is expected to earn in the range of Rs. 915 and 920 crores.
This way, the third-week collections are expected to be around Rs. 100 crores. If it reaches Rs. 920 crore mark by Thursday, it means that it’ll have to earn Rs. 80 crores more to hit the coveted Rs. 1000 crore mark. Thankfully for the makers, there’s limited competition on Friday, April 10. Yet, collecting Rs. 80 odd crores will be a challenge now that the film is seeing dropping collections. But the box office is unpredictable and if it manages to collect steadily over the next few weeks, the unthinkable can happen.
This week will see the release of Dacoit. It’s a bi-lingual shot in Telugu as well as Hindi and stars Adivi Sesh, Mrunal Thakur and Anurag Kashyap. The promotions for this film have been going on for a long time. The makers released the teaser back in December and held an event for it then.
Initially, the film was scheduled to be released on March 19 to coincide with the Ugadi holiday. But due to strong competition from Dhurandhar The Revenge, the makers chose to postpone the release to April 10.
The advance booking for the Telugu version is very strong in India as well as overseas. However, the ticket sales in Hindi are poor. The hope is that the film would open at Rs. 1 crore and then grow well with positive word-of-mouth. The timing is right as Dhurandhar The Revenge has been massively consumed. Hence, those wanting to take a trip to the cinema over the weekend should prefer Dacoit.
I like being in the same frame as Shah Rukh Khan, even if it’s a meme, says Dhurandhar’s Arshad Pappu
10:16 AM
Mahima Pandey (HINDUSTAN TIMES; April 9, 2026)
Actor Ashwin Dhar has been earning praise for his portrayal of gangster Arshad Pappu in Dhurandhar The Revenge. Recently, he has also been trending online, with fans drawing comparisons between one of his looks in the film and actor Shah Rukh Khan’s appearance at the 2025 Met Gala. Reacting to the buzz, he says, “That was a pleasant surprise… Comparisons with Shah Rukh felt really nice.”
Sharing how he came across the social media memes, he says, “My team sent it to me. We laughed and enjoyed... Many people made this comparison. I like being with him (SRK) in one frame even though it’s a meme.” While the two have never worked together, Ashwin hopes to meet Shah Rukh one day. “I hope to see him soon. When I meet him, we’ll talk about this meme. It could be a good beginning, an ice breaker,” says the actor.
Ashwin also opens up about reuniting with actor Ranveer Singh after Padmaavat (2018), “He is absolutely the same. A bundle of energy, he’s making jokes, meeting people. Whenever he’s on the set, there is another kind of energy. But he has definitely grown as an actor.”
Gaurav Gera reveals the audition scene which landed him a role in Dhurandhar
10:11 AM
After the success of Dhurandhar and Dhurandhar The Revenge, the actor says that he already knew his character was ‘a special one’
Yashika Mathur (HINDUSTAN TIMES; April 8, 2026)
Comedian-actor Gaurav Gera’s serious turn as a spy handler in director Aditya Dhar’s Dhurandhar franchise left audiences stunned. Now, his emotionally charged scene of taking the fall for Ranveer Singh’s Hamza in Dhurandhar The Revenge is receiving a fresh wave of appreciation. Speaking to us, the 50-year-old reveals it was this very scene that secured him the role.
“I was auditioned for that intense and heavy scene only. I was called to (casting director) Mukesh Chhabra’s office and asked to perform it. So it wasn’t a surprise for me,” the actor shares.
The scene, which is Gaurav’s final appearance in the film, marks a crucial turn in the narrative.
“When I heard the full narration, I realized where the scene was placed in the film. Mere liye koi aisa shock nahin tha. I knew it was a character people would like; someone who is Hamza’s only support and understands everything. I knew it was a special role,” Gaurav adds.
The character’s quirky dialogue, “Darling, darling dil kyun toda, peelo peelo Aalam doodh soda”, has also gone viral, becoming a fan favourite.
The actor says that the response has been overwhelming, with the line among the most common messages from friends and family: “Bahut saare messages toh yehi aa rahe hain ki ‘darling, darling dil tod diya’!”
Known for his comic characters like Chutki and Shopkeeper, Gaurav confesses that he is not keen on revisiting them anytime soon. “I’ve done that for eight years. Creating video content takes a lot of effort. I enjoyed Dhurandhar, and right now, I want to explore more roles like that,” he signs off.
Huma Qureshi on Toxic getting postponed due to Dhurandhar 2: "I cut out the noise, do my job and check out"
9:57 AM
The actress talks about the change in the release date of Toxic and why she remains unfazed by it
Vinay MR Mishra (BOMBAY TIMES; April 9, 2026)
With Toxic—headlined by Yash— being pushed from it's original release date, [people started speculating that the change in the release timing was due to the alleged box-office competition with Dhurandhar The Revenge. Amid speculation over whether the film has been pushed to avoid a clash, Huma Qureshi addresses the noise, maintaining that such decisions are best left to the makers.
Speaking about the film’s delay, she says, “I’m of course very excited Toxic to come out, but I think the timing of these things has to be correct. And I’m sure, like, this decision made with a lot of like, thought behind it and whenever it comes out, I’m sure audiences are going to love it and have a great time.”
On the speculation and negative PR chatter around the film, Huma remains unfazed: “I don’t think about it. I. I feel like my job as an artist is to do work and the audiences have every right to receive it the way they intend to. But I mean, if I start only listening to other people and what they’re saying and thinking, then I won’t be able to do my job.”
She adds that she consciously distances herself from the noise post work. She adds, “So honestly, I do my thing and then I check out. I fully check out. Like, I’ve done my acting, I’ve done what I’m as a professional, what I’m supposed to do, and then I go off and I don’t like to read everything. I feel like reading every comment and reading every opinion and reading whatever just in a way just cripples you from doing something. As an artist, you have to be free and keep your energy really open and you can’t always predict how people are going to respond to something, so you shouldn’t do that.”
The actor also hints at a packed slate ahead. “There are like five releases now, which I’ve shot for already. I mean, some of them we can’t talk about, but the ones that you know are there, whether it’s a Toxic or it’s a Baby Do Die Do, which is a home production… that Saqib Saleem and I have produced under our banner Saleem Siblings," she signs off.
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