Filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma has made bold claims about Aditya Dhar’s latest release, “Dhurandhar,” stating that it has single-handedly transformed the future of Indian cinema.
A Quantum Leap in Indian Cinema
Varma took to social media to express his admiration, calling the film a “QUANTUM LEAP in INDIAN CINEMA.” He mentioned, “I believe that @AdityaDharFilms has completely and single-handedly changed the future of Indian cinema, be it north or south. That’s because Dhurandhar is not just a film; it is a quantum leap. What Dhurandhar achieves is not just scale, but a never-before-experienced vision not just in sight but in the mind. Aditya Dhar doesn’t direct scenes here; he engineers the states of minds of both the characters and us audience (sic).”
Film Commands Attention
Commenting on the performances by Ranveer Singh and Akshaye Khanna, RGV described the film as one that “doesn’t ask for your attention; it commands it.” From the very first shot, he felt a sense of irreversible motion, stating that the audience becomes an accomplice to the events unfolding on screen. “This is a film that refuses to be polite. The writing cuts with intent, the staging breathes menace, and the silences are as weaponized as the thunderous sound effects,” he elaborated.
Power of Storytelling
Varma praised Dhar for understanding that the essence of storytelling lies not in volume but in building pressure. He applauded the film’s performances, which he believes will resonate with audiences long after they leave the theater.
“Characters walk in carrying history on their shoulders, and the film trusts the audience enough to read their scars rather than spoon-feed their backstories. This confidence—which could be easily mistaken for arrogance—is precisely what marks Dhurandhar as a turning point for Indian cinema,” he added.
Respecting the Audience
Notably, Varma emphasized that while many filmmakers tend to dumb down their films, Dhar respects the intelligence of the audience, calling it “the highest respect a director can pay to an audience.” He stated that “Dhurandhar” does not chase trends or seek validation.
“It is a solemn declaration that Indian cinema doesn’t need to dilute itself to become successful and doesn’t need to mindlessly copy Hollywood,” he concluded.