Dhurandhar Oscar Shock: Just 4 Votes Despite Rs 3000 Cr?

The Oscar snub has sparked a fresh backlash from sections of the Dhurandhar fanbase after it was revealed that Ranveer Singh’s blockbuster received just 4 votes from the Film Federation of India jury during the selection process.

Vivek Vaswani, jury member, revealed that some members liked Dhurandhar, but the panel ultimately did not consider it “Oscar material.” Most of them felt it did not represent Indian culture in the way they were looking for. The film was among 33 submissions, but the jury eventually selected Marathi thriller Gondhal as India’s official entry for the 99th Academy Awards.

The decision has triggered angry reactions from Dhurandhar supporters, particularly because the franchise has reportedly crossed the ₹3,000 crore mark worldwide. Fans have questioned how a film that became such a massive theatrical phenomenon could receive only four votes. Others have accused the Oscar selection process of repeatedly overlooking films with strong mainstream appeal.

However, the jury was not choosing India’s biggest hit. Vaswani said Gondhal stood out because it combines a murder mystery with Maharashtra’s traditional folk ritual involving music, dance and mythology. He also highlighted Ilaiyaraaja’s music.

The controversy has also revived the larger debate over India’s Oscar choices. Social media users are bringing up films such as Tumbbad and Bramayugam while questioning past selections including Gully Boy, Paheli and Eklavya.

Ultimately, the debate is about what India wants its Oscar entry to represent: a massive contemporary blockbuster like Dhurandhar, or a culturally rooted regional film like Gondhal.