Dhurandhar becomes most-watched non-English film of 2026; Ted Sarandos says India doesn't need a Squid Game

Ranveer Singh's Dhurandhar franchise continues to break barriers, this time on the global streaming stage. After rewriting box office records, the action spectacle has now earned another milestone with Netflix Co-CEO Ted Sarandos revealing that the film is the platform's most-watched non-English movie of the year. His comments have once again put the spotlight on the growing global reach of Indian cinema and the massive popularity of the Dhurandhar franchise.

A Global Win for Dhurandhar

Dhurandhar's success story is no longer limited to theatres. Speaking at Express Adda, Netflix Co-CEO Ted Sarandos revealed that the film emerged as the most-watched non-English movie on the streaming platform this year. According to him, it outperformed every English-language film on Netflix globally and ranked behind only the United States and the United Kingdom in overall viewership.

The first film reportedly attracted 37 million views between January and June 2026 and topped Netflix's charts across 22 countries. The achievement marks another major milestone for a franchise that has consistently expanded its audience beyond India and found a strong fan base across international markets.

From Box Office Phenomenon to Streaming Favourite

Directed by Aditya Dhar, the Dhurandhar franchise has become one of Bollywood's biggest success stories in recent years. Together, the two films have reportedly collected over Rs 3,100 crore worldwide, while the sequel, Dhurandhar: The Revenge, scripted history by becoming the first Hindi film to cross the Rs 1,000 crore net mark in India.

The franchise has built a loyal following thanks to its large-scale action, emotional storytelling and patriotic themes. Social media celebrations, packed cinema halls and strong word-of-mouth helped transform the films into cultural events rather than just theatrical releases. Even after completing their theatrical runs, audience interest remained high, leading to impressive streaming numbers.

The positioning

With blockbuster theatrical collections, record-breaking streaming numbers and praise from one of the biggest names in global entertainment, Dhurandhar has cemented its position as more than just a successful franchise. Its latest achievement reflects the increasing worldwide appetite for Indian cinema and reinforces the industry's growing influence on the global stage.