The film has resonated strongly with diaspora audiences.
The sequel Dhurandhar: The Revenge has delivered one of the strongest overseas debuts ever for an Indian film, with the UK emerging as a key market.
Directed by Aditya Dhar, the Hindi-language spy thriller is produced by Jio Studios and B62 Studios, concluding the Dhurandhar duology.
The film stars Ranveer Singh in the lead, supported by Arjun Rampal, Sanjay Dutt and R. Madhavan.
It also features Sara Arjun, Rakesh Bedi and Gaurav Gera, with several returning characters from the original film.
Released globally for Eid on March 19, 2026, the sequel launched across Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada and Malayalam, significantly expanding its audience reach.
Early UK trade figures suggest exceptional momentum, with collections around £927,577 in the initial frame, signalling a powerful start in the territory.
Industry estimates indicate the opening weekend could reach approximately £1.6 million, placing it ahead of several recent Indian box office benchmarks in the UK.
This would surpass the opening weekend of Pathaan, which earned around £1.4 million across its first Friday to Sunday period.
Historically, films like Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham demonstrated the UK’s importance, eventually grossing £1.92 million in total during its theatrical run.
More recently, titles such as Saiyaara have pushed UK lifetime grosses close to the £3 million mark, reflecting steady diaspora growth.
Within this context, Dhurandhar 2’s early performance places it among the top overseas openers, alongside global successes like RRR.
It is also outperforming the early momentum of major titles such as Kalki 2898 AD and KGF Chapter 2.
The franchise’s momentum has been crucial, with the first Dhurandhar becoming one of 2025’s biggest Hindi releases worldwide.
That film reportedly grossed over Rs 10 billion globally, cementing its position as a major commercial success and building anticipation for the sequel.
Bookings for Dhurandhar: The Revenge broke records, while its trailer generated approximately 39 million views within 24 hours of release.
Narratively, the sequel continues the story of undercover agent Hamza Ali Mazari, navigating Pakistan’s criminal networks while pursuing revenge linked to 26/11.
The film blends espionage with politically charged themes, echoing the tone of titles like Uri: The Surgical Strike.
It also aligns with the ideological framing seen in The Kashmir Files and The Kerala Story.
Despite its polarising themes, the film has resonated strongly with diaspora audiences, particularly in the UK and North America.
Trade analysts highlight the diaspora as a major driver behind its international success, with the UK playing a central role in early numbers.
The film’s performance also reflects how Indian cinema is increasingly competing within mainstream UK box office rankings.
Like Pathaan, which debuted at number two overall, Dhurandhar 2 is attracting audiences beyond traditional South Asian circuits.
Multiplexes across West London, Birmingham, Leicester and Bradford are contributing heavily, alongside central city venues.
Its simultaneous multi-language release further broadens its appeal, uniting diverse Indian audiences under a single franchise.
For British Asians, the film represents both cultural visibility and commercial influence, reinforcing the UK’s status as a vital overseas market.
As Dhurandhar 2 continues its theatrical run, its trajectory suggests it could redefine benchmarks for Indian films in the UK box office landscape.
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