Outrage Online as ‘Dhurandhar’ Wins Zero Awards Despite 28 Nominations; Fans Question Credibility of Ceremonies

Ranveer Singh’s blockbuster Dhurandhar dominated the box office in 2025, emerging as not just the year’s biggest hit but also one of the highest-grossing Hindi films of all time. With such massive commercial success and widespread audience appreciation, expectations were high during the ongoing award season.

However, at the recently held Zee Cine Awards, the film was nominated in 28 categories but surprisingly failed to secure even a single trophy. The outcome has triggered sharp reactions across social media platforms.

Social Media Backlash

Many netizens openly criticized Indian award shows, calling their credibility into question. Some users alleged that winners are often influenced by popularity, presence at the event, or industry connections rather than pure performance merit.

A few posts pointed out that while several mainstream performances were honored, actors associated with Dhurandhar were overlooked entirely. Others revisited past remarks by Kangana Ranaut, who had earlier spoken critically about how film awards function in India. According to these users, her comments about favoritism and lobbying are now being echoed by the same voices that once dismissed her claims.

There were also viewers who argued that audience love outweighs trophies. Some fans stated that when millions of people pay to watch and appreciate a film, that validation matters more than any award.

Was Attendance a Factor?

Speculation has also emerged regarding whether the absence of key cast members from the ceremony may have played a role in the outcome. However, there has been no official confirmation suggesting any such connection.

Sequel Buzz Grows Stronger

Meanwhile, excitement is building for the sequel, Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge, directed by Aditya Dhar and headlined by Ranveer Singh.

In a recent podcast conversation with Sonia Shenoy, actor R. Madhavan revealed an interesting trend. He shared that during the release of the first film, some fans from Dubai traveled to India to watch it in theatres after it was reportedly not released in their region. Now, similar travel plans are being discussed for the sequel.

Madhavan noted that certain overseas fans are even organizing their business trips around the film’s March 19 release date to ensure they can experience it on the big screen. Despite having easier access through digital means, these viewers reportedly prefer the theatrical atmosphere.

While the awards debate continues online, the anticipation for Dhurandhar 2 suggests that audience enthusiasm for the franchise remains stronger than ever.