The Ranveer Singh-led espionage thriller, “Dhurandhar,” has achieved significant global success, soaring to No. 1 on Netflix’s global Top 10 non-English films list. Beyond its worldwide acclaim, the film also clinched the top spot in Netflix’s Top 10 Movies lists for both India and Pakistan. This particular streaming outcome holds profound implications, as it navigates through the long-standing, often-frozen theatrical politics between the two nations.

According to Netflix’s Tudum weekly chart (January 26 - February 1), “Dhurandhar” garnered 7.6 million views, securing its position as the No. 1 non-English film globally. Its success extends across South Asia, with chart-topping or near-the-top placements in markets such as Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, underscoring its broad regional appeal. The film’s popularity in Pakistan is especially notable, given that Indian films have been excluded from Pakistani cinemas for years, a situation exacerbated by renewed bilateral tensions leading both countries to block each other’s theatrical releases. The premise of “Dhurandhar,” which revolves around India’s intelligence footprint within Pakistan, would typically face immediate theatrical rejection across the border; however, Netflix has provided a “frictionless pipeline” for the film to reach Pakistani audiences at scale.

The film’s reach isn't confined to South Asia. It has also charted strongly in parts of the Middle East, where India-Pakistan political sensitivities often complicate or make theatrical releases commercially risky for such material. In these expatriate-heavy territories, streaming offers a cleaner and more effective route to audiences.

Directed by Aditya Dhar and produced by Jio Studios and B62 Studios, “Dhurandhar” features Ranveer Singh in the lead role, with Akshaye Khanna portraying the antagonist. The extensive cast also includes Sanjay Dutt, R. Madhavan, Arjun Rampal, Sara Arjun, Rakesh Bedi, Manav Gohil, Danish Pandor, Saumya Tandon, Gaurav Gera, and Naveen Kaushik.

The narrative of “Dhurandhar” is presented in two parts. The initial installment chronicles a decade-long Indian intelligence operation, detailing how an undercover agent, played by Singh, infiltrates Karachi’s criminal and political underworld. “Dhurandhar: The Revenge,” the second part of the saga, is slated for a theatrical release on March 19. This sequel is expected to continue the unfolding story and delve into the backstory of Singh’s character. The first part of the saga has already achieved remarkable commercial success, becoming the highest-grossing Hindi-language film in India, with local collections of $116 million and international earnings of $32 million.

The historical context for the political sensitivities explored in the film and its reception stems from the complex relationship between India and Pakistan. The two nations have engaged in four wars since the Partition in 1947—in 1947–48, 1965, 1971, and 1999—with the disputed territory of Kashmir remaining a central flashpoint, frequently leading to military confrontations, diplomatic breakdowns, and escalations.