The massive success of Ranveer Singh's new film 'Dhurandhar', which has crossed ₹1,000 crore globally since its release, has sparked an unexpected trend on social media: the rediscovery of a 12-year-old Bhojpuri movie with the same title, starring actor and BJP MP Ravi Kishan.
Released on December 5, the star-studded spy thriller directed by Aditya Dhar has dominated the box office. However, online searches for the film have led audiences to Ravi Kishan's 2013 action-drama, 'Dhurandhar: The Shooter'. Netizens have since started a trend, playfully dubbing Ravi Kishan the "Original Gangster" or 'OG Dhurandhar'.
Directed by Deepak Tiwari, Kishan's film was released on July 12, 2013, and became a superhit in Bihar. According to Times of India archives, it collected ₹9 lakh in its first three days, a significant figure for the regional market at the time. Over the years, it gained a cult following through television and YouTube.
The online comparison gained momentum after a report by NDTV highlighted the trend, stating, "Years before Ranveer Singh's Dhurandhar, there was the original OG Dhurandhar... BJP MP and former Bhojpuri star Ravi Kishan starred in a 2013 film of the same name."
Social media is now filled with memes and clips comparing Ranveer’s high-tech spy to Kishan’s more traditional action hero. This has led to a surge in views for the older film, which is available for free on YouTube.
While Ranveer Singh is set for a 'Dhurandhar' sequel in 2026, Ravi Kishan will soon appear in Season 2 of the Netflix series 'Maamla Legal Hai'.
Ranveer Singh's 'Dhurandhar' Success Revives 2013 Ravi Kishan Film
