Box Office Paradox: ‘Dhurandhar’ Flops in Japanese Debut

Despite a global haul exceeding ₹3,000 crore, the Ranveer Singh-starrer ‘Dhurandhar’ witnessed a surprisingly muted opening in Japanese theaters.

TOKYO — The Dhurandhar franchise, a cinematic juggernaut that has dominated domestic and international box office charts throughout 2026, faced an unexpected hurdle during its foray into the Japanese market. Released on July 10, 2026, as Operation Dhurandhar, the action thriller opened across approximately 80 screens, yet struggled to attract a significant audience, recording fewer than 900 admissions on its opening day.

The film, directed by Aditya Dhar and starring Ranveer Singh, has been a historic success in India, where its sequel, Dhurandhar: The Revenge, recently became the first Hindi-language film to cross the ₹1,000 crore net mark domestically. However, this global momentum did not translate into immediate traction in Japan, where it failed to secure a spot in the daily top 25 charts during its first weekend.

A Muted Welcome in Tokyo

Trade reports indicate that the film’s Japanese reception was far below the levels seen for other recent Indian hits. Data from the Japanese box office tracker Mimorin revealed that by 2:00 PM on its opening day, only 449 tickets had been sold across 57 locations. Even with the later expansion to 80 screens, total admissions by day's end remained under 900.

For comparison, high-performing Indian titles in the region have historically seen significantly higher opening-day footfalls. For instance, RRR holds the record for the biggest Indian opening in Japan with 8,230 admissions, while even recent releases like Tiger 3 recorded 1,300 admissions on their opening day. Dhurandhar failed to break into the list of the top 10 Indian film openers in the country.

Strategic Marketing vs. Local Reality

The film’s marketing campaign in Japan had been robust. The production team leaned into the film's identity as a high-stakes espionage thriller and even featured a special video message from Ranveer Singh, who promoted the movie as the "biggest Indian movie ever made."

Industry observers have pointed to several potential factors for the lackluster turnout:

• Language Barrier: The film was released primarily with Japanese subtitles rather than a localized dubbed version, which can sometimes limit reach in non-English-speaking international markets.

• Genre Mismatch: While action-heavy plots have historically performed well, the specific narrative style of the Dhurandhar franchise—which relies heavily on internal Indian socio-political context—may have presented a barrier for local audiences.

• Marketing Focus: Marketing efforts emphasized the film's prestige rather than its connection to existing Indian fanbases in the region.

Why It Matters

The case of Dhurandhar serves as a sobering reminder for the Indian film industry as it seeks to expand into new international territories. While global box office figures currently exceed ₹3,100 crore for the franchise, the disparity in its international performance underscores that local cultural resonance remains a vital component of film distribution. The setback in Japan highlights the challenges of "exporting" blockbuster status without accounting for regional consumer habits and preferences.

Key Facts at a Glance

• Franchise Success: The Dhurandhar series has collectively grossed over ₹3,100 crore worldwide.

• Japan Opening: Fewer than 900 admissions were recorded on the first day across 80 screens.

• Chart Performance: The film failed to enter the Mimorin Top 25 chart during its opening weekend.

• Comparison: It fell short of the 1,300-admission benchmark set by Tiger 3 to enter the top 10 Indian openers in Japan.

FAQ

Why did Dhurandhar underperform in Japan? Analysts point to the lack of a dubbed version, the film’s specific cultural context, and potentially misaligned marketing strategies as primary reasons for the low turnout.

Is this typical for Indian films in Japan? No. Japan has previously embraced Indian films like RRR, which sustained a theatrical run for months.

What is the current status of the Dhurandhar franchise? Despite the Japanese setback, the franchise remains the highest-grossing in Hindi cinema history, with Dhurandhar: The Revenge ranking as the second highest-grossing Indian film globally.

Source: The Statesman, Hindustan Times, NewsMobile