Ranveer Singh’s Dhurandhar franchise has done more than just rewrite box office records. Its huge success also started conversations about the future of Hindi cinema. Among those who have weighed in is Saif Ali Khan, who feels that the industry has entered a new phase after the blockbuster. According to the actor, filmmakers can no longer rely on old formulas if they want to connect with audiences in today’s changing entertainment world.
Dhurandhar’s box office success changed the rules of the game
Released in December 2025 and March 2026, the two Dhurandhar films together earned over Rs 3,100 crore at the global box office, making it the biggest Hindi film franchise to date. Dhurandhar: Revenge alone collected Rs 1,813 crore worldwide, while the second highest Hindi grosser of 2026, Border 2, earned around Rs 450 crore. The huge gap has become a talking point in the film industry.
During an interview with The Hollywood Reporter India, Saif said that he now looks at Hindi cinema from the perspective of the period before Dhurandhar and the period after it. He suggested that the film had raised audience expectations and that directors would now have to decide whether they were willing to adapt to these changing standards.
Talking about what today’s audiences are looking for, Saif said audiences seem to be more interested in films that are made with genuine passion and offer something different. He believes that instead of repeating familiar ideas, filmmakers should take creative risks and tell stories that stand out.
“I see a time before Dhurandhar and a time after it. So it’s up to us whether we catch up with him, wake up or not. It seems like an obvious idea to create amazing music rather than making a new album for every film, and use all sorts of things from around the world without being too afraid of the English language,” he added.
The actor also hinted that Bollywood should stop playing it safe. According to him, the success of Dhurandhar shows that audiences reward films that are ambitious and compellingly made, rather than projects that simply follow established commercial formulas.
Music should complement the story
Saif also spoke about the one aspect of Dhurandhar that impressed him the most – the music. He said: “I’m just talking about music. It was fantastic, some of the remixes. Instead of hiring a pretty female lead to do the ‘item’ for you, if you just treat it like a song and have these two girls perform like they’re at a wedding, it’s not easy on the eyes at all.”
Another point Saif brought up was how important it is to be open to new influences. He believes filmmakers should not hesitate to experiment with ideas from around the world as long as they fit the story. In his opinion, cinema should evolve along with the changing tastes of the audience, and not be limited by traditional expectations.
Saif Ali Khan’s Work Front
Saif’s remarks come at a time when his own theater journey has been controversial. The actor has not achieved a major box office success since 2020’s Tanhaji. Films like Jawaani Jaaneman, Boonty aur Babli 2 and Vikram Vedha failed to make a significant commercial impact. Although Adipurush and Devara Part 1 garnered significant ratings worldwide, both the films failed to live up to expectations given their huge budgets.
However, Saif will next be seen in Haiwaan, directed by Priyadarshan. The film also stars Akshay Kumar and is a Hindi remake of the Malayalam thriller Oppam. It is scheduled to be released in theaters on September 11, 2026.
Meanwhile, Dhurandhar and Dhurandhar 2 is currently streaming on Netflix and JioHotstar in India.
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