Contrary to assumptions within the industry and among fans, filmmaker Aditya Dhar’s upcoming action drama Dhurandhar was never conceived as a two-part franchise. According to sources, the project was scripted as a single film. However, during production, Dhar ended up shooting far more material than originally planned, driven by the richness of the characters, the scale of the world he was building, and the natural creative improvisations that unfold on set
A source quoted by Bollywood Hungama revealed that Dhar initially believed he could contain the entire narrative within one film. But once he viewed the full footage, it became clear that the story had grown beyond the boundaries of a single instalment. The conflicts, character arcs, and thematic layers had expanded to such an extent that compressing everything into one feature would compromise the emotional and dramatic impact.
A story that evolved beyond its original blueprint
According to insiders, the transformation of Dhurandhar into a two-part franchise was not a strategic decision taken mid-production but an organic outcome dictated entirely by the content. “The characters and world have a lot of scope, and hence, Dhar shot for all the sequences by his conviction,” the source explained. “He thought that he would wrap up the entire film in one part, as all films have the journey of improvisation on the set. However, when he watched the entire footage, it was becoming difficult to wrap up all the conflict in a single film.”
The shift occurred only after the shoot was fully wrapped. During the initial weeks of October, as Dhar and the team at Jio Studios sat through the editing process, the need for a split became undeniable. The footage demanded more breathing room, more narrative space, and more time for audiences to absorb the intricate world-building that had emerged.
Decision made during the edit
The final call was made at the edit table, where the scale and complexity of what Dhar had shot became truly visible. “It’s a film which organically transformed into a two-parter based on the demand of the story,” the source said. “The film was not designed as a two-parter but destined to be a two-parter. Both the films will have a proper start, middle and end as every beat of the story is a climax in itself, bringing in an adrenaline rush.”
Despite the scale of the decision, the process of splitting the narrative was reportedly seamless. The story lent itself naturally to a two-part structure, where the emotional and action-driven beats could be distributed without losing coherence or momentum.
A two-part format that enhances impact
According to those familiar with the project, a single-film version of Dhurandhar would have inevitably felt rushed, undermining the complexity of its characters and the intensity of its action. The two-part model offers the makers the opportunity to heighten suspense, develop character conflicts more deeply, and create a more immersive cinematic experience.
The first instalment of Dhurandhar is expected to establish the world, introduce the ensemble of morally layered characters, and set the tone for the larger conflict. The sequel will reportedly escalate the stakes significantly, delivering what sources describe as “2x the violence and edge-of-the-seat moments.”
“With so many exciting characters, it’s a story that can’t be told in a single film,” the insider emphasised, suggesting that audiences will walk out of the first part with a gripping hook that leaves them eagerly awaiting the continuation.
Star-studded ensemble adds weight to the narrative
Directed by National Award-winning filmmaker Aditya Dhar, Dhurandhar boasts a powerful ensemble cast featuring Sanjay Dutt, Akshaye Khanna, R Madhavan, and Arjun Rampal in lead roles. With actors known for their screen presence, intensity, and versatility, the two-part structure may offer each of them more narrative freedom and impactful arcs.
For Dhar—renowned for Uri: The Surgical Strike—Dhurandhar marks another ambitious world-building effort, this time rooted in raw violence, layered characters, and a larger-than-life cinematic landscape.
Conclusion
The decision to convert Dhurandhar into a two-part film underscores the growing trend in Indian cinema of allowing stories to expand naturally rather than confining them to traditional formats. With the scale of its characters, conflicts, and cinematic world, the film appears poised to offer an expansive narrative experience. If the buzz is any indication, audiences can expect a gripping first chapter and a high-voltage sequel that delivers the full force of Dhar’s vision.