The buzz surrounding Aditya Dhar’s Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge has reached a fever pitch as the film gears up for its March 19, 2026 release. Following the unprecedented success of the first installment—which became the first-ever Bollywood film to gross over ₹1,000 crore in India alone—trade analysts are predicting that the sequel could easily net another ₹1,000 crore.
However, an intriguing box-office analysis has revealed that even with such a astronomical milestone, Ranveer Singh will likely still fall short of the title for the “Highest-Grossing Post-COVID Star.
“The Ranveer Singh ComebackThe post-pandemic era was initially a rocky road for Ranveer Singh. Between 2021 and 2024, he faced significant setbacks with the underperformance of 83 (₹102 cr), Jayeshbhai Jordaar (₹17.5 cr), and Cirkus (₹20.85 cr).
While Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani (₹153.3 cr) provided a much-needed boost, it was December 2025’s Dhurandhar that truly resurrected his “Mass Hero” status. As of early February 2026,
Ranveer’s cumulative post-COVID India net collection stands at ₹1,187.10 crore.If Dhurandhar 2 achieves the predicted ₹1,000 crore net in India, Ranveer’s total will surge to approximately ₹2,187.1 crore. While this would catapult him past most Bollywood contemporaries like Shah Rukh Khan and Ranbir Kapoor, it still leaves a massive gap between him and the current leader of the pack.
The Reigning Queen: Rashmika MandannaThe star currently occupying the #1 spot is Rashmika Mandanna, whose “post-COVID” run has been statistically unparalleled. Unlike most stars who rely on a single industry, Rashmika has benefitted from being a key pillar in the most successful pan-Indian franchises.
Her cumulative total currently sits at a staggering ₹3,341.86 crore.MovieRole/ImpactContribution (India Net)Pushpa 2: The Rule (2024)Female Lead₹1,265.97 CrChhaava (2025)Female Lead₹615.39 CrAnimal (2023)Female Lead₹554.00 CrPushpa:
The Rise (2021)Female Lead₹268.00 CrVarisu (2023)Lead₹178.80 CrEven if Ranveer’s Dhurandhar 2 is a historic success, he would still need an additional ₹1,154 crore to match Rashmika’s total. Her dominance stems from a unique mix of high-volume releases and participation in “mega-blockbusters” across the Hindi, Telugu, and Tamil markets.
Why the Gap ExistsThe disparity highlights a shift in how “stardom” is calculated in 2026. While Ranveer Singh is the face of a single, massive Bollywood franchise (Dhurandhar), Rashmika has become a “good luck charm” for multiple franchises. Her presence in both the Pushpa universe and the Animal cinematic world—plus her recent success in the historical epic Chhaava—has allowed her to accumulate “star-power points” at a rate faster than any solo male lead.
Furthermore, Dhurandhar achieved its ₹1,000 crore feat solely through its Hindi version, choosing not to release dubbed versions in the South—a decision that limited its cumulative “pan-India” net compared to the multi-language juggernauts like Pushpa 2.What’s Next for Dhurandhar 2?Despite trailing behind in the cumulative race, the stakes for Dhurandhar 2 remain incredibly high. The sequel has already locked in a record-breaking ₹245 crore non-theatrical deal (digital, satellite, and music).
About the Author
