Mumbai, December 20, 2025 - A rare and heartwarming exchange has unfolded between two generations of Indian filmmakers, as Ram Gopal Varma (RGV) showered praise on Aditya Dhar's latest directorial venture, "Dhurandhar," a spy thriller that has been shattering box office records since its release on December 5. Varma's effusive review, calling "Dhurandhar" a "quantum leap in Indian cinema," elicited an emotional response from Dhar, who revealed his long-held admiration for the veteran filmmaker.
Varma, known for his fearless and often unconventional filmmaking style, took to X to share his detailed appreciation for "Dhurandhar," starring Ranveer Singh, R Madhavan and Akshaye Khanna. He lauded Dhar's daring vision, stating that the film has "completely and single handedly changed the future of Indian cinema, be it north or south". Varma emphasized that "Dhurandhar" is not just a film but a "quantum leap" due to its unprecedented vision and the way Dhar "engineers the states of minds of both the characters and us audience". He further noted that the film "refuses to be polite" and possesses a rare intent, proving that Indian cinema "doesn't need to dilute itself to become successful and doesn't need to mindlessly copy Hollywood".
Dhar, visibly moved by Varma's words, responded with a heartfelt note, expressing that the praise felt "surreal, emotional, and honestly a little unfair". He confessed that he came to Mumbai years ago with "one suitcase, one dream, and an unreasonable belief" that he would work under Ram Gopal Varma. While that dream never materialized, Dhar acknowledged that he "worked inside your cinema" without even realizing it. He credited Varma's films for teaching him "how to think dangerously" and shaping his belief that cinema should never apologize for its ambition.
"You were one of my favourite directors who made Indian cinema feel fearless, impolite, and alive," Dhar wrote, adding that if "Dhurandhar" has even a fraction of that DNA, it's because Varma's films "whispered (sometimes screamed) in my head" during the writing and directing process. He concluded by saying, "The fan in me is overwhelmed. The filmmaker in me feels challenged. And the boy who came to Mumbai to work under RGV… finally feels seen".
The exchange didn't end there. Varma, known for his bluntness and cinephilia, responded to Dhar's comment, congratulating him once more and admiring "Dhurandhar" because "it reminded me of nothing I have done". He added, "It impressed me because it didn't ask anyone for either permission or validation". Varma went on to say, "If the boy who came to Mumbai became a man in Uri, he's now become a superman with Dhurandhar. Keep soaring".
Speaking to a reporter, Varma expressed deep emotion, stating, "I feel like crying". He elaborated, "When someone like Rajamouli or Aditya tells me that I have inspired them, I feel like that Liril soap ad from the 1970s... But what about the soap itself?". Varma believes that "Dhurandhar" has fundamentally altered the grammar of Indian filmmaking and that its success should be celebrated.
This exchange between the two filmmakers highlights the power of influence and the evolution of cinematic vision. It also underscores the importance of daring and originality in pushing the boundaries of Indian cinema. "Dhurandhar," starring Ranveer Singh, Sanjay Dutt, Akshaye Khanna, Arjun Rampal, Sara Arjun, R Madhavan and Rakesh Bedi, continues its successful run in theaters, marking a significant moment in Indian film history.
