How An Over-Budget Film Turned Into Ranveer Singh And Aditya Dhar's Most Profitable Franchise, Dhurandhar

Dhurandhar and Dhurandhar: Revenge have crossed the ₹3,000-crore mark at the global box office, and the Ranveer Singh-led films have now become one of the most profitable ventures in the industry. Producer Jyoti Deshpande has offered a detailed behind-the-scenes look at the bold choices that helped shape the franchise's journey.

Ranveer Singh and Aditya Dhar's Risky Decision

Deshpande stated that actor Ranveer Singh and director Aditya Dhar decided to adopt a risk-reward model. Instead of demanding high upfront payments, the duo agreed to opt for comparatively lower fixed compensation. They chose to earn through backend participation, meaning they would receive a share of the film's profits.

Deshpande explained that this approach aligned everyone's interests with the performance of the film. Rather than concentrating on production costs, the team focused on the project's success at the box office. This ensured that the creative team would benefit directly from the film's performance.

The strategy turned out to be highly rewarding. Singh and Dhar, along with the producers, reportedly enjoyed significant financial gains as the franchise exceeded expectations worldwide.

The Film Surpassed Its Original Budget

Deshpande revealed that Dhurandhar exceeded its production budget by nearly double the originally planned amount. However, once the project was divided into a two-film narrative, the increased investment began to make sense.

She noted that although production costs escalated, the returns generated by the franchise at the box office made the gamble worthwhile for everyone involved.

The Unexpected Birth of a Two-Part Franchise

Initially, Dhurandhar was never intended to be a franchise. The story was originally developed as a standalone film, and the budget was planned accordingly. However, after the completion of the first shooting schedule, the team began to reconsider the project's scope.

The filmmakers were impressed by the footage. They felt that the material possessed a richness and depth that could not be fully explored within a single film. As a result, they started discussing the possibility of expanding the story into two parts.

Deshpande explained that this decision was made during production rather than at the initial planning stage. Resources had also been allocated for a single film, as there was no guarantee that a two-film strategy would succeed. Nevertheless, the team believed the story had the potential to sustain a larger cinematic universe.

What Fascinated Jio Studios About the Project

Deshpande mentioned that the original narrative was set entirely in Pakistan and explored the concept of the "deep state." The challenge of transforming such a complex theme into a commercial entertainer immediately caught her attention.

What fascinated her most was the opportunity to present geopolitical ideas in a way that was accessible to everyday audiences while simultaneously breaking away from conventional storytelling patterns.

A Different Path of Storytelling

Deshpande said that Dhurandhar follows a different storytelling approach by presenting the narrative in chapters rather than following the familiar beginning-middle-end structure. She noted that modern audiences are accustomed to binge-watching long-form content on streaming platforms and are increasingly receptive to immersive storytelling that allows deeper engagement with characters and their journeys.

The film's episodic rhythm offered exactly that experience. It felt expansive rather than confined by traditional storytelling rules.

Makers' Decision to Build a Long-Running Franchise

From an early stage, the makers believed that Dhurandhar had the ingredients to become more than just a single blockbuster.

Deshpande said that the goal was to create a memorable experience that would remain with audiences for years. She compared its potential to globally recognised franchises such as the James Bond series and Mission: Impossible.

The film may appear to be a crime or action thriller on the surface, but she believes its patriotic undertones and emotional core are what truly distinguish it. Those deeper themes ultimately convinced her that the project was worth backing.

Today, with two blockbuster films and a worldwide collection exceeding ₹3,000 crore, Dhurandhar stands as a testament to the value of risk-taking and collaborative profit-sharing in filmmaking. The franchise has become a symbol of the power of thinking beyond conventional filmmaking boundaries.