Dhurandhar 2: A Global Blockbuster Hits a Speed Bump in Japan - Online Voice Over Symposium.

Ranveer Singh’s spy-thriller franchise crosses ₹1,800 crore worldwide, but its Japanese debut tells a different story

A Franchise on a Historic Run: Dhurrandhar 2 Revenge

Directed by Aditya Dhar and led by Ranveer Singh, the Dhurandhar 2 , a franchise has been one of the standout success stories of Indian cinema over the past year. The first film released in India in December 2025, and its sequel, Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge, followed in March 2026. Together, the two films have grossed over ₹3,100 crore worldwide, making the franchise the first Indian film series ever to cross the ₹3,000 crore mark globally.

Dhurandhar 2 alone has reportedly crossed ₹1,800 crore, placing it among the highest-grossing Indian films of all time — second only to Dangal domestically. The film performed strongly not just in India but across North America, the Middle East, Australia, and Europe, before going on to see a strong second life on OTT platforms following its theatrical run.

The Japan Release: High Hopes

Buoyed by this global momentum, the makers — Jio Studios and B62 Studios — expanded the film’s theatrical run to Japan, releasing it on July 10, 2026 on around 80 screens. The move followed the trail blazed by RRR, which became a genuine phenomenon in Japan and holds the record for the biggest opening day for an Indian film there, drawing over 8,000 viewers on day one. Industry watchers hoped Dhurandhar 2 could tap into that same growing appetite for Indian cinema among Japanese audiences.

A Quiet Opening for dhurandhar 2

The reality of the opening weekend was far more modest. Reports indicate the film drew only around 900 viewers on its opening day across roughly 80 screens — one of the weakest debuts for a major Indian blockbuster in Japan in recent years, and not enough to break into the country’s top 25 films that week.

Several factors likely played a role. Japanese theatrical releases for Indian films typically get a limited number of screens compared to domestic releases, restricting reach from the outset. Japanese audiences also face heavy competition from homegrown anime, local live-action cinema, and major Hollywood titles — and tend to respond most strongly to character-driven storytelling that builds through word of mouth rather than star power alone.

The Bigger Picture

A slow start in one market does little to dent what the franchise has already achieved. With worldwide earnings past ₹1,800 crore for the sequel alone and the combined franchise total above ₹3,100 crore, Dhurandhar remains one of the most successful film series in Indian cinema history. Whether the Japan release can still build momentum through word of mouth in the coming weeks remains to be seen — but for now, it stands as a reminder that even the biggest global hits don’t automatically translate into every market.