Ram Gopal Varma has sparked a debate in the film industry with his recent remarks concerning the overwhelming success of Aditya Dhar's "Dhurandhar," starring Ranveer Singh and Akshaye Khanna. Varma, known for his outspoken views, suggested that the industry is subtly downplaying the film's achievements because it feels threatened by its groundbreaking nature.
Varma took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his thoughts on the matter, describing "Dhurandhar" as a "quantum leap" in Indian cinema rather than just another successful film. He credited director Aditya Dhar for pushing the boundaries of filmmaking and ushering in a new era of fearless and uncompromising storytelling. According to Varma, Dhar has "single-handedly changed the future" of filmmaking across industries.
"Dhurandhar is not a film, it is a quantum leap in Indian cinema," Varma stated, emphasizing that the film's impact extends beyond mere entertainment. He lauded the film's vision, writing style, and technical execution, asserting that it commands attention rather than asking for it. Varma specifically highlighted the film's sound design, camera work, and portrayal of violence, noting that it builds pressure instead of relying on spectacle.
Varma believes that "Dhurandhar" respects the audience's intelligence by refusing to spoon-feed backstories or dilute its intent. He also praised the performances, particularly that of Ranveer Singh, noting that the characters are not designed to be liked but to "linger long after we leave the theatre". Varma concluded that the film proves Indian cinema does not need to imitate Hollywood to achieve global appeal. He feels the biggest victory is that Aditya believes that the audience is intelligent, which is the highest respect a director can pay to an audience.
Aditya Dhar responded to Varma's praise with a heartfelt note, acknowledging Varma as one of his biggest influences. Dhar shared his early struggles in Mumbai, recounting how he always dreamed of working under Varma. "Your films didn't teach me how to make movies — they taught me how to think dangerously," Dhar wrote, expressing his gratitude for Varma's impact on his filmmaking philosophy. He credited Varma for instilling in him the belief that cinema should be ambitious, unapologetic, and rooted.
Released on December 5, 2025, "Dhurandhar" has reportedly grossed over ₹450 crore at the Indian box office within two weeks. The film features a stellar cast, including Ranveer Singh, Akshaye Khanna, Sanjay Dutt, R Madhavan, and Arjun Rampal.
Varma's comments have ignited a discussion about the state of the Indian film industry and its response to unconventional success. While some agree that "Dhurandhar's" achievements are being understated, others maintain that the industry is simply taking a wait-and-see approach to gauge the film's long-term impact. Nevertheless, Varma's remarks have undoubtedly added fuel to the fire, prompting a re-evaluation of how the industry recognizes and celebrates groundbreaking work.
