In the ever-evolving landscape of Indian cinema, where regional boundaries are increasingly blurred, director Ram Gopal Varma has ignited a fresh controversy with his recent remarks concerning the upcoming film Dhurandhar 2 and its potential impact on the "Southies invasion" of Bollywood. Varma's statements, made via his X (formerly Twitter) account, have sparked debate about the dynamics between the Hindi film industry and its counterparts in the South, particularly in relation to Yash's forthcoming movie, Toxic.
Varma, known for his outspoken views and unabashed praise for filmmakers he admires, has been consistently lauding Aditya Dhar's Dhurandhar, a spy action drama starring Ranveer Singh and Akshaye Khanna. The film, released on December 5, 2025, has reportedly become a major box office success, crossing the ₹1000 crore mark. Varma has gone so far as to call Dhurandhar a "quantum leap" in Indian cinema, asserting that Dhar has "completely and single-handedly changed the future of Indian cinema, be it north or south".
His recent comments, however, have taken a more provocative turn. In a tweet, Varma stated that Dhurandhar had "kicked back" the "Southies invasion into Bollywood" and that Dhurandhar 2 would "terrify them". He further alluded to the potential box office clash between Dhurandhar 2 and Yash's Toxic, suggesting that the "bite" of Dhurandhar 2 would be "toxic" itself, implying that Toxic would struggle to compete. Both films are slated for release on March 19, 2026.
These remarks have been interpreted as a dig at Yash, the Kannada superstar known for the KGF franchise, and a broader commentary on the increasing prominence of South Indian films in the pan-Indian market. Over the past few years, films like Pushpa 2 - The Rule, KGF: Chapter 1, and KGF: Chapter 2 have achieved remarkable success across the country, challenging the dominance of Bollywood.
Varma's statement has sparked varied reactions. Some view it as a tongue-in-cheek exaggeration, while others interpret it as a genuine expression of confidence in Bollywood's ability to produce high-octane action films that can rival those from the South. Some analysts suggest that Varma, despite being Telugu himself and often praising South films, is simply "taking a dig".
Regardless of the intent, Varma's comments have reignited the discussion about the dynamics between the different film industries in India and the ongoing competition for audience attention. Some reports suggest that Toxic may face challenges in securing screens in the North due to the power of Jio Studios, the backer of Dhurandhar, potentially affecting its overall business.
Notably, Aditya Dhar responded to Varma's earlier praise by acknowledging Varma's influence on his filmmaking, stating that he had "worked inside" Varma's cinema without even knowing it.
Dhurandhar stars Ranveer Singh as Hamza Ali Mazari, an Indian intelligence operative infiltrating Pakistan's underworld. The film also features Akshaye Khanna, R Madhavan, Sanjay Dutt, Arjun Rampal and Sara Arjun. The sequel, Dhurandhar 2, is highly anticipated, with expectations of a "bigger, darker, and more intense chapter".
