‘This story was a risk’: Vivek Oberoi compares Dhurandhar with Animal after historic box office feat

Dhurandhar has emerged as the highest-grossing Indian film of all time in a single language, with a net India collection exceeding Rs 831 crore.

The film has overtaken the previous record held by the Hindi-dubbed version of Allu Arjun’s Pushpa 2: The Rule, which earned Rs 830 crore in India. Directed by Aditya Dhar, the film has sustained strong theatrical performance weeks after release.

Vivek Oberoi’s review and reaction

Following the milestone, Vivek Oberoi shared a detailed review on X, praising the film’s direction, performances, editing, and overall execution. He described Dhurandhar as “more than cinema,” calling it a deeply immersive experience that confronts harsh realities often left unexplored on screen.

In his post, Oberoi reflected on the emotional weight of the film, particularly its portrayal of the families of martyrs. He wrote about the silence in homes filled with memories but marked by absence, and scenes of children who know their fathers only through photographs. According to him, the film mirrors lived realities rather than offering comfort or spectacle.

Comparison with Animal

Oberoi also compared Dhurandhar with Ranbir Kapoor’s 2023 blockbuster Animal, stating that both films challenged conventional boundaries. He wrote that Dhurandhar “has not just pushed the envelope but ripped it apart just like Animal did in 2023,” highlighting Aditya Dhar’s commitment to craft over spectacle and the film’s ability to hold attention for its entire runtime of over three and a half hours.

Praise for performances

The actor praised the cast’s restrained yet powerful performances, noting that each actor serves the story rather than personal showmanship. He highlighted Ranveer Singh’s controlled intensity, observing that silence in the film often speaks louder than dialogue. He also singled out Akshaye Khanna for his commanding screen presence, citing the character’s quiet menace and uncompromising violence as particularly striking.

Oberoi further acknowledged performances by R Madhavan, Sanjay Dutt, and Arjun Rampal, describing them as adding intellectual depth, emotional gravity, and realism to the film’s portrayal of conflict and sacrifice.

Concluding his note, Oberoi congratulated the team for achieving the historic box office feat and underlined the risk involved in telling such a story. He framed watching the film as a responsibility rather than mere entertainment, dedicating his words to the known and unknown individuals who serve the nation.

What’s next for Dhurandhar

Dhurandhar Part 2 is scheduled for a theatrical release on March 19, 2026. The film is also set to premiere on Netflix on January 30, 2026, following the standard eight-week OTT release window.