The weekend box office witnessed contrasting performances as big-ticket releases battled it out for audience attention. Ranveer Singh and Akshaye Khanna’s Dhurandhar continued its dominant run, registering its biggest single-day collection so far. Meanwhile, Nandamuri Balakrishna’s Akhanda 2 opened on a solid note after multiple delays, while Kapil Sharma’s Kis Kisko Pyaar Karoon 2 maintained a slow but steady pace.

Dhurandhar records biggest Sunday haul

Directed by Aditya Dhar, Dhurandhar showed exceptional growth on its second Sunday. After opening with Rs 28 crore on Day 1, the film benefitted from strong word of mouth, powerful performances, and high repeat value. On Day 10, the film raked in a massive Rs 59 crore (net)—its highest single-day collection so far.

With an impressive 76.84% overall Hindi occupancy, the action thriller’s total India net collection now stands at Rs 351.75 crore. Trade experts predict that the film is firmly on track to cross the Rs 500 crore milestone, placing it among the biggest blockbusters of the year.

Kis Kisko Pyaar Karoon 2 shows gradual growth

Kapil Sharma’s comedy sequel Kis Kisko Pyaar Karoon 2 has struggled to gain momentum amid stiff competition. The film opened at Rs 1.85 crore, followed by Rs 2.50 crore on Day 2. On Sunday, it recorded its highest daily collection of Rs 2.85 crore.

After three days, the film’s total collection stands at Rs 7.20 crore. While the growth is modest, the makers are hoping for better weekday stability, especially in tier-2 and tier-3 centres.

Akhanda 2 opens well despite delays

Despite facing production delays and pre-release controversies, Nandamuri Balakrishna’s Akhanda 2 made a strong entry at the box office. The film earned Rs 8 crore from paid premieres, followed by a Rs 22.5 crore opening day.

The action entertainer collected Rs 15.5 crore on Day 2 and Rs 15 crore on Day 3, taking its three-day total to Rs 61 crore (net). Given Balakrishna’s massive fan base in the Telugu-speaking regions, trade analysts expect the numbers to rise further in the coming days.

Overall box office outlook

While Dhurandhar continues to dominate screens nationwide, Akhanda 2 has emerged as a strong regional performer. On the other hand, Kis Kisko Pyaar Karoon 2 faces an uphill task to sustain its run. The coming weekdays will be crucial in determining the long-term box office trajectory of all three films.

Akshaye Khanna is enjoying a massive wave of appreciation, not just for his powerful performance in Aditya Dhar’s spy thriller Dhurandhar, but also for his striking on-screen introduction powered by the song ‘FA9LA’. The high-energy track, sung by Bahraini rapper Flipperachi, has taken the internet by storm and has now achieved a remarkable global milestone.

Within days of its official release, FA9LA has surged to the No. 1 position on Spotify’s Viral 50 Global chart, making it one of the fastest-rising Indian-film tracks internationally this year.

From theatre buzz to global streaming sensation

Ever since Dhurandhar hit theatres on December 5, audiences were captivated by Akshaye Khanna’s intense entry sequence. Social media users repeatedly discussed the background track that accompanied his introduction, with many demanding its full release. Responding to the overwhelming interest, the makers released the complete version of FA9LA on December 8.

In less than four days, the song transitioned from a cinematic highlight to a worldwide streaming phenomenon, gaining traction across continents.

‘FA9LA’ tops Spotify Viral 50 Global

Bahraini artist Flipperachi, who lends his distinctive rap vocals to the track, took to Instagram on Friday (December 12) to announce the achievement. Sharing a screenshot of Spotify’s Viral 50 Global chart, the rapper revealed that FA9LA had claimed the top spot.

Spotify’s Viral 50 Global chart tracks songs that witness rapid organic growth based on:

• Sudden spikes in streams
• Playlist additions
• Social media shares
• Global listener engagement

The song’s multilingual appeal, Middle Eastern rap influence, and cinematic intensity have helped it resonate with international audiences far beyond India.

Akshaye Khanna’s creative touch adds authenticity

One of the most talked-about aspects of FA9LA is Akshaye Khanna’s screen presence. Dressed in a sharp black suit and sunglasses, the actor exudes quiet menace and swagger. Interestingly, the choreography for the song wasn’t entirely pre-designed.

In an interview, the film’s choreographer revealed that while the sequence was initially planned as a simple entry shot, Akshaye Khanna personally improvised the movement and body language, giving the scene its now-iconic understated style. This creative input has been widely praised for enhancing the character’s mystique.

About Akshaye Khanna’s role in Dhurandhar

In Dhurandhar, Akshaye Khanna essays the role of Rehman Dakait, a character that plays a pivotal part in the narrative. His performance has been described by critics and fans alike as restrained yet commanding, adding significant weight to the film’s storyline.

The film also stars Ranveer Singh, Arjun Rampal, R Madhavan, and Sara Arjun, making it one of the most star-studded spy thrillers of the year.

A rare crossover success

The success of FA9LA marks a rare moment where an Indian film track—rooted in regional rap influences—has topped global viral charts. Industry insiders believe the song’s rise highlights the growing appetite for cross-cultural collaborations and unconventional soundscapes in mainstream cinema.

With Dhurandhar continuing its strong theatrical run and FA9LA dominating global music platforms, Akshaye Khanna’s return to the spotlight appears stronger than ever.

Bollywood superstars Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol marked a historic moment as they unveiled a bronze statue of their beloved Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ) characters — Raj and Simran — in London. The unveiling comes as the legendary film celebrates 30 years since its release in 1995, reaffirming its timeless charm and global cultural impact.

The intricately crafted statue, installed at London’s famous Leicester Square, recreates one of DDLJ’s most memorable scenes and now joins the Scenes in the Square trail that honours iconic characters in film history.

⭐ A Grand Celebration at Leicester Square

At the unveiling event, Shah Rukh Khan appeared in a classic black suit, while Kajol stunned in a beautiful blue saree — a subtle nod to the film’s romantic aesthetic. The duo, whose on-screen chemistry remains unmatched even today, stood together smiling beside the sculpture that commemorates their unforgettable journey as Raj and Simran.

The film, directed by Aditya Chopra and produced by Yash Raj Films, continues to stand as one of the greatest love stories in Indian cinema.

⭐ Shah Rukh Khan Shares His Reaction

SRK shared photos from the ceremony on social media, delighting fans worldwide. His caption read:
“Bade Bade Deshon Mein, Aisi Chhoti Chhoti Baatein Hoti Rehti Hain, Senorita! Thrilled to unveil the bronze statue of Raj & Simran at London’s Leicester Square today, celebrating 30 years of Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ)!”

He added:
“DDLJ is the first Indian film to be honoured with a statue in the Scenes in the Square trail. A big thank you to everyone in the UK for making this possible. Come meet Raj & Simran if and when you are in London… we would love to see you make more memories with DDLJ…”

This marks a historic first for Indian cinema — no Indian film has ever before been honoured with such a recognition in London’s entertainment district.

⭐ DDLJ: A Timeless Legacy

Since its release in 1995, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge has remained a cultural phenomenon. Not only did it redefine romance for an entire generation, but it also became one of the longest-running films in Indian history.

Budget & Box Office Performance

According to industry tracker Sacnilk:

• Budget: ₹4 crore
• Worldwide Collection: ₹102.50 crore
• India Net Collection: ₹53.32 crore

DDLJ’s success went far beyond commercial numbers — it launched the SRK–Kajol duo to unmatched stardom and reshaped Bollywood’s narrative of love, family, and youth.

⭐ Why This Statue Matters

The installation of the Raj–Simran statue is more than just a tribute — it’s a symbol of:

• The global influence of Indian cinema
• The beloved legacy of DDLJ
• The cross-cultural appreciation of Bollywood storytelling
• The enduring charm of Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol’s iconic pairing

For millions of fans worldwide, DDLJ is not just a film — it’s an emotion, a memory, and now a permanent fixture in London’s cinematic history.