Kunal Kohli Shocks Industry: ‘Big Directors Wanted Dhurandhar To Flop’

| Published: Tuesday, April 14, 2026, 14:24 [IST]

Ranveer Singh’s Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge continues to dominate headlines–but now for a surprising reason. Filmmaker Kunal Kohli has claimed that several top directors believed the film would fail, sparking a fresh debate inside Bollywood.

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What Kunal Kohli Revealed

Filmmaker Kunal Kohli has stirred a major conversation by revealing that Dhurandhar 2 did not receive industry backing. In a recent interview, he claimed that some of the “biggest directors” predicted the film would collapse right after its opening weekend.

Quoting what he was told, Kohli said, “Monday ko baith jaayegi,” implying the film would crash on its first weekday. Instead, the opposite happened–the film gained momentum.

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‘Nobody Supported Dhurandhar’

Kohli didn’t hold back as he highlighted what he sees as a recurring pattern in Bollywood. According to him, lack of industry support doesn’t necessarily impact a film’s success.

He stated, “Even when the industry doesn’t support a film, it still works. Nobody supported Dhurandhar.” His remarks have since gone viral, with many questioning the internal dynamics of the film industry.

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Box Office Numbers Tell a Different Story

Despite early skepticism, Dhurandhar 2 has rewritten box office history. The film opened with a massive ₹100+ crore day and went on to maintain strong weekday collections.

As per latest estimates, the film has crossed over ₹1,700 crore worldwide, with more than ₹1,000 crore net in India alone–making it one of the biggest Indian hits ever.

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Kunal Kohli Praises ‘Desi Storytelling’

Kohli also used the moment to emphasize the power of rooted Indian storytelling. He credited the film’s success to its strong desi narrative and mass appeal.

He said, “It has shown us the true potential of the Indian box office. Let’s not be influenced by Western ideas–desi stories work.” His comments align with the film’s theme, which blends action with nationalistic undertones.

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Comparison With Other Films

Drawing parallels, Kohli cited Border 2 as another example of a film that succeeded despite industry doubts. That film went on to earn over ₹300 crore, proving early predictions wrong.

He also reflected on his own experience with Hum Tum, which initially failed to impress insiders but later became a successful and beloved film.

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Industry Reaction & Debate

Kohli’s candid remarks have triggered mixed reactions online. While some insiders agree that the industry can be competitive and unsupportive, others argue that success ultimately depends on audience acceptance.

Social media users have widely debated whether Bollywood genuinely supports its own films or operates on a more transactional basis.

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The Dhurandhar Effect on Bollywood

The success of Dhurandhar 2 is being seen as a turning point. From massive opening numbers to sustained collections, the film has demonstrated that strong content and star power can override industry skepticism.

It also reinforces Ranveer Singh’s box office pull and Aditya Dhar’s growing reputation as a commercial filmmaker.

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What Happens Next

With its record-breaking run still ongoing, Dhurandhar 2 is now eyeing the lifetime collections of Pushpa 2 and Baahubali 2. Trade experts believe the film could soon enter the top 3 highest-grossing Indian films of all time.

Meanwhile, Kunal Kohli’s statements have opened a larger conversation–one that may continue to shape how Bollywood views success, competition, and support in the future.

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