Revised version of Akshaye Khanna’s Dhurandhar releases in cinemas today

Aditya Dhar’s espionage thriller Dhurandhar has remained the undisputed king of the box office since its release on December 5, 2025. The Ranveer Singh–Akshaye Khanna starrer has officially crossed the ₹1,100 crore mark worldwide, surpassing the lifetime collections of major hits such as Pathaan (2023), Jawan (2023) and Chhaava.

Despite its record-breaking run, the film has faced controversy. While audiences have largely embraced it, a section of viewers criticised Dhurandhar for its political undertones, branding it propaganda. As the film enters 2026, the makers have now released a revised version in theatres.

Why the change?

According to a report by Bollywood Hungama, cinema halls across India received an urgent email from distributors on December 31, 2025, instructing them to replace the film’s Digital Cinema Package (DCP). A source told the publication that the update was made after directives from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

“The makers have muted two words and altered a dialogue in the film as per the instructions received,” the source said.

The revised version began screening in theatres on January 1, 2026. Industry insiders have confirmed that one of the words removed from the film is “Baloch”.

Box office remains unaffected

The controversy has done little to slow Dhurandhar at the ticket counters. In India alone, the film has collected over ₹720 crore within 27 days of release. Ranveer Singh’s portrayal of an Indian spy infiltrating a terror network in Pakistan has struck a chord with domestic audiences.

However, the film has encountered challenges overseas, including a complete ban in Gulf countries.

About the film

Directed by Aditya Dhar, Dhurandhar features a strong ensemble cast including Sanjay Dutt, Akshaye Khanna, Arjun Rampal, Sara Arjun and Rakesh Bedi. Supporting roles are played by Naveen Kaushik, Saumya Tandon, Naseem Mughal, Danish Pandor and Gaurav Gera.

The franchise is set to continue, with the sequel scheduled for release on March 19, 2026.