Ranveer Singh at the crossroads: Why ‘Dhurandhar’ may be the most crucial film of his career | Hindi Movie News

Exactly fifteen years ago, a young, energetic outsider named Ranveer Singh waltzed into the Hindi film industry with Aditya Chopra’s Band Baaja Baaraat. His debut performance was so fresh, so effortless, and so explosively charming that Bollywood instantly took notice. What followed were years of remarkable ascension with films like Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela, Dil Dhadakne Do, Bajirao Mastani and Padmaavat.By the time Simmba and Gully Boy released, Ranveer wasn’t just a star – he was a phenomenon. A performer who delivered blockbusters, took risks, transformed for roles, and could carry films on his shoulders.But the narrative changed post-pandemic.Over the past four years, Ranveer Singh’s filmography has taken an unexpectedly turbulent turn. 83, despite glowing reviews, underperformed due to COVID restrictions. Jayeshbhai Jordaar and Cirkus were outright box-office disasters. Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani performed decently and earned acclaim, but it wasn’t a blockbuster in the league of his earlier triumphs.All eyes then turned to Adtiya Dhar’s Dhurandhar – a film that may well decide which direction Ranveer Singh’s next decade takes.A Career of High Highs and Sharp LowsRanveer Singh’s box-office track record is a fascinating mix of extremes. His biggest openers and lifetime earners remain massive:Top 5 Opening Days

Top 5 Opening Weekends

Top 5 Week-One Earners

Top 5 Lifetime Collections

This is the career of an A-list star. But contrast that with the last three films before Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani and Dhurandhar:

It’s a sharp decline from the towering heights of Padmaavat and Simmba.This gap between capability and recent results is exactly why Dhurandhar carries so much weight.Dhurandhar has opened to decent to strong numbers with it collecting Rs 103 crore over the weekend, second biggest opening of Ranveer’s career. “He needs those big numbers” – Taran AdarshVeteran trade analyst Taran Adarsh before the release of the film didn’t mince words while assessing Ranveer’s current phase:“Dhurandhar is a very important film for Ranveer Singh. His last outing didn’t perform as expected. Rocky Aur Rani did well, yes, but it wasn’t a blockbuster like Padmaavat. At this stage in his career, he needs those big numbers to come back.”“His competitors have surged ahead” – Atul MohanTrade expert Atul Mohan analysed Ranveer’s standing among peers, and the comparison is stark:“Ranbir Kapoor has delivered Rs 500-crore films. Vicky Kaushal too has hit that benchmark. He was always pitted against Ranbir Kapoor but then Animal happened. A massive hit. Vicky followed with Chhaava. ”

He further highlighted how image management plays a crucial role today:“Ranveer’s experimentation with his clothes became talking points. Earlier-generation stars kept it classy. Even Southern stars today keep it simple and focused on the work. Ranveer is a fantastic actor – look at Padmaavat and Gully Boy. But cultivating a loyal fanbase requires consistency. That’s why Dhurandhar is extremely crucial. He needs a solid hit to reclaim his position.”Dhurandhar had limited publicity: Raj Bansal “ In the days leading up to Dhurandhar’s release, there was an unnecessary wave of negativity surrounding the film. But honestly, this isn’t new, many films today face the same online backlash. There is a section of people who call themselves influencers and Youtubers, few among them make it a habit to target certain films, and Dhurandhar became one of them.But in today’s world, I don’t believe social-media negativity truly decides the fate of a film. If audiences want to watch something, they will go.” He also states that the film could very decide the next chapter for Ranveer’s career; “ What is crucial, though, is the track record of the leading star. A hero’s recent run at the box office heavily influences the opening of the next film, and unfortunately Ranveer Singh’s last few releases haven’t performed well. That naturally becomes a deterrent for Dhurandhar’s opening.At the same time, the biggest advantage for the film is director Aditya Dhar. The goodwill and credibility he earned after Uri: The Surgical Strike has created strong curiosity. So for Ranveer, Dhurandhar could truly be a turning point or a crash landing. Its performance will carry a lot of weight for the direction of his career from here.”A Rough Build-Up: Controversies, Criticism & Social Media NegativityThe journey toward Dhurandhar hasn’t been the smooth, celebratory run-up expected for a Ranveer Singh biggie.The Kantara Imitation IncidentA recent controversy erupted when Ranveer imitated a scene from Kantara, which many Kannada viewers termed “insensitive” or “mocking.” Clips went viral, and social media outrage swelled – an unfortunate momentum just weeks before the film’s release. Ranveer though took to Instagram to apologize but by then damage was donePremature Negative BuzzEven before the film hit theatres, certain social media handles began driving negative chatter about Dhurandhar. And this time, the criticism was so heavy that it led to a public reaction from someone who rarely comments – Yami Gautam, the wife of director Aditya Dhar.Yami Gautam’s Explosive StatementIn a strongly worded note, Yami wrote: “This so called trend of giving money, in the disguise of marketing a film, to ensure good ‘hype’ for a film is created or else ‘they’ will continuously write negative things (even before the film is released), until you pay ‘them’ money feels nothing but kind of extortion.Just because this arrangement is accessible to anyone- whether to ‘hype’ a film or spread negativity against another actor/a film is a plague that is going to affect the future of our industry in a big way”She also pointed out that the South Indian film industry doesn’t tolerate such manipulation “In South no one can dare do such things because the industry stands united on lot of fronts.”And, most importantly, she expressed her concern as a filmmaker’s wife:“I say this as a wife of an extremely honest man who has given everything to this film with his undying hard-work, vision & grit along with his team to create something that I know India shall be proud of. I say this as a deeply concerned member of the fraternity who, like many other industry professionals, wishes to see Indian cinema blossom with its best potential & not the other way around.”Her statement reframed Dhurandhar not just as a film release, but as part of a larger conversation about industry ethics.

The Weight of ExpectationsThe trade is pointing towards the same truth: Dhurandhar isn’t just a film for Ranveer Singh; it’s a referendum on his stardom.Why so much rides on it?

Dhurandhar is being viewed as the film that can either stabilize his trajectory or accelerate a decline.A Crucial Film Before the Next Big Step: Don 3Ranveer Singh’s next massive project, Farhan Akhtar’s Don 3, is set to go on floors in 2026. The film is expected to be high-octane, high-budget, and franchise-driven – the kind of vehicle that demands enormous star power and clean momentum going in.A clean, decisive hit with Dhurandhar could energize the hype for Don 3.Ranveer Singh: The Talent Is Not in QuestionDespite all the noise around him, one truth remains unshakeable: Ranveer Singh is one of the most gifted actors of his generation.His performances in:

These films are a masterclass in range, emotional complexity, voice modulation, and physical transformation.No trade expert doubts his ability. No director hesitates to praise his dedication.No co-star denies his generosity and infectious energy on set. His challenge is not talent – it’s perception, consistency, and timing.Ranveer has reinvented himself before. He has risen after setbacks. He has reshaped his career more than once. (Box office numbers except Dhurandhar are sourced from Bollywood Hungama)