Dhurandhar declared tax-free as global box office hits Rs 1,164 crore
Ladakh: The high-octane Bollywood spy thriller Dhurandhar has been declared tax-free in the Union Territory of Ladakh, officials announced Friday, as the film continues a historic run that has seen it shatter multiple box office records.
The decision, approved by Lieutenant Governor Kavinder Gupta, waives the state-level Goods and Services Tax (GST) on movie tickets across the region. The move is intended to support the film industry and bolster Ladakh's profile as a premier destination for international and domestic filmmaking.
"By making Dhurandhar tax-free, we aim to encourage the creative arts and invite more filmmakers to explore the unparalleled landscapes of our Union Territory," the Lieutenant Governor’s office said in a statement.
Historic Box Office Performance
The announcement comes as Dhurandhar cements its status as a global cinematic phenomenon. As of January 2, 2026, the film has amassed a staggering ₹784.50 crore net in India alone, making it the highest-grossing single-language film in Indian history.
Globally, the film has crossed the ₹1,164 crore mark, surpassing the lifetime collections of previous blockbusters like Jawan, Pathaan, and RRR. It is currently the seventh-highest-grossing Indian film of all time and is projected to enter the ₹1,200 crore club by the end of the week.
Directed by Aditya Dhar, the film stars Ranveer Singh, R. Madhavan, and Akshaye Khanna. The narrative weaves together historical events like the IC-814 hijacking and the 2001 Parliament attack into a fictionalised counter-terrorism epic.
Local theatre owners in Leh and Kargil welcomed the tax waiver, expecting a surge in footfall for the nearly four-hour-long film. The administration has been actively pushing for "sustainable and responsible tourism" since Ladakh was established as a Union Territory in 2019, and officials see cinema as a key vehicle for promoting the region's cultural appeal.
Anticipation is already building for the film's sequel, Dhurandhar 2, which is slated for a March 19, 2026, release.