When Dhurandhar hit the screens on December 5, Bollywood apparently wasn’t sure if it would even last the first Monday. Many doubted the Aditya Dhar and Ranveer Singh spy actioner, revealed director Kunal Kohli. But the rest is history! The film arrived in cinemas on December 5 and set the box office ablaze. After its success, many popular actors and filmmakers came out in support of the film and shared glowing reviews. However, there were also those who preferred to remain tight-lipped about Bollywood’s new blockbuster. So, does this prove that the industry’s support isn’t important for a film to work? Kunal thinks so.
'Dhurandhar Monday Ko Baith Jayegi'
"Even when the industry doesn’t support a film, the film still works. Nobody supported Dhurandhar. The biggest directors I spoke to phone, they said, ‘Monday ko baith jayegi.‘ Monday ko aur chal gayi," the director told Screen.
He also spoke about how nobody supported Sunny Deol's Border 2. According to him, the industry wasn't sure if it will earn well. The war drama, also starring Varun Dhawan and Diljit Dosanjh, went on make over Rs 300 crore. "It doesn’t matter if the industry supports you or not," added Kohli.
Bollywood's Ugly Truth
The filmmaker said that things in the industry haven’t changed much since the release of Hum Tum. He recalled being advised by Aditya Chopra to skip the preview, as industry insiders might not appreciate the film. He still decided to attend and was disappointed by their negative reaction. However, despite the initial response, the film went on to become a commercial success over time.
Kohli added that most people in the industry don’t necessarily want others to succeed. He recalled filmmaker Rakesh Roshan personally calling him to congratulate on the film. The director said that while such supportive people are rare, they do exist.
The Mujhse Dosti Karoge! director said that the love shown by the film industry is often not genuine. And, contrary to popular belief, the idea of mutual back-scratching is a myth. He added that people are more likely to harm others than to help. He also pointed out how calling out practices like block booking invites criticism instead of support.
Dhurandhar 2 Sets Box Office Ablaze
Currently, the sequel to Dhar’s actioner is dominating the box office. The film has surpassed Rs 1,700 crore globally and continues to remain steady.
The movie’s success is enough to silence the naysayers.
It is fascinating how industry "insiders" often misread the pulse of the audience. Kunal Kohli’s recent comments (from April 14, 2026) regarding the Ranveer Singh-starrer Dhurandhar (and its sequel, Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge) highlight a classic case of a film defying the "experts."
In a candid interview with Screen, Kohli revealed that before the film became the juggernaut it is today, many of Bollywood’s top directors and producers were skeptical.
The "Monday" Prediction
The phrase "Monday ko baith jayegi" (It will crash/sink on Monday) was the common consensus among industry veterans.
The Skepticism: Kohli noted that many senior figures believed the film wouldn't sustain its momentum after the initial weekend hype.
The Reality: Contrary to those predictions, the film’s collections actually grew or held exceptionally strong on its first Monday.
For instance, Dhurandhar 2 reportedly netted around Rs 65 crore on its first Monday after a massive opening.
A Pattern of "Industry vs. Audience"
Kohli pointed out that this lack of support isn't unique to this film. He drew parallels to other recent and past hits:
Border 2: He mentioned that nobody supported the Sunny Deol and Varun Dhawan-starrer either, with people claiming it would fade in its second week.
Instead, it became a Rs 300 crore+ blockbuster. Hum Tum (2004):
Kohli recalled his own struggle with Hum Tum, where producer Aditya Chopra explicitly told him not to attend the industry preview because he knew the "insiders" wouldn't get the film. When Kohli went anyway, he was disheartened by the negative reactions, only for the film to become a major hit later.
Box Office Dominance
The skepticism seems almost ironic now, given the film's current status:
Dhurandhar 2 has crossed Rs 1,000 crore in India and over Rs 1,700 crore globally (as of mid-April 2026).
It has officially surpassed the lifetime collections of massive hits like Pushpa 2: The Rule.
Kohli’s takeaway was sharp: "99% of the people in the industry don't want you to succeed." He credited veterans like Rakesh Roshan as rare exceptions who actually reach out to congratulate young filmmakers when a movie works against the odds.
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