Mumbai: Ranveer Singh-starrer Dhurandhar continues to make headlines for both its cinematic impact and box office performance. Since its release on December 5, the action drama has received widespread acclaim for its performances, technical finesse and storytelling, emerging as one of the most talked-about Hindi films of the year. However, beyond its success, the film recently found itself at the centre of an online controversy involving choreographer Vijay Ganguly and actor Tamannaah Bhatia.
The controversy stemmed from remarks Vijay Ganguly made during an interview, where he spoke about his initial creative thoughts for the song Shararat. Soon after, several reports and social media posts began suggesting that Tamannaah Bhatia had been “rejected” by director Aditya Dhar for the song. The narrative quickly gained traction, prompting Ganguly to step in and clarify the situation publicly.
How the controversy began
The issue originated when Vijay Ganguly, in an earlier interaction with Filmygyan, shared that Tamannaah Bhatia was someone he had imagined for the song Shararat. His comments were interpreted by some sections of the media as an indication that Tamannaah was approached and later turned down by the film’s director.
This framing led to headlines suggesting a creative disagreement or rejection, which shifted the focus away from the film’s music and onto speculation about casting decisions. As the story circulated widely, it also sparked comparisons between Tamannaah and the actors who eventually featured in the song.
Vijay Ganguly issues clarification
To address the growing speculation, Vijay Ganguly took to Instagram and issued a detailed clarification, stating that Tamannaah Bhatia was never formally considered or rejected for the song. He emphasised that the decision was purely creative and rooted in the narrative demands of Dhurandhar.
“To clarify: Tamannaah Bhatia was never under consideration because her star power is so significant it might have overwhelmed the specific needs of this scene,” Ganguly wrote. He explained that Shararat appears during a high-stakes moment in the film, where maintaining tension and narrative continuity was essential.
According to the choreographer, the makers deliberately chose two performers instead of a single star presence to ensure the story remained the focal point. “The makers opted for two performers to keep the focus on the story’s progression. This choice was about protecting the film’s atmosphere and ensuring the narrative remains the hero of the sequence,” he added.
On selective quoting and sensationalism
In his post, Vijay Ganguly also addressed a broader issue he has encountered as a creative professional — selective quoting and sensationalised reporting. He noted that informal conversations about cinema are often taken out of context and reframed to create controversy.
“I genuinely enjoy conversations around cinema and the many layers that go into making a film. That said, I have often refrained from putting myself out there because, at times, words get selectively lifted, misquoted or sensationalised to serve headlines rather than the craft,” he wrote.
He expressed disappointment that attention had shifted from the artistic intent behind Shararat to unnecessary comparisons between artists. “It’s unfortunate that instead of the conversation staying on the song and the creative intent behind Shararat, the focus has shifted to comparisons between two wonderful artists, with strong and reductive terms like ‘rejections’ being used,” Ganguly stated.
Why Tamannaah was not cast
Providing further context, Vijay Ganguly reiterated the reasoning he had earlier shared in his Filmygyan interview. He explained that director Aditya Dhar was clear about not wanting a traditional “item song” that would distract from the storyline.
“In my head, she was the one. I had suggested her, but Aditya was very clear that he did not want what people call an item song — something that went out of the story,” Ganguly had said. He added that if the song revolved around a single, high-profile actor, the audience’s attention would naturally shift away from the narrative.
“That’s why there are two girls, not one. If it were Tamannaah, it would’ve been about her and not the story,” he explained, underscoring the director’s intent to maintain narrative immersion.
About the song Shararat
The song Shararat ultimately features Ayesha Khan and Krystle D’Souza. The sequence has been appreciated for blending seamlessly into the film’s tense atmosphere rather than standing out as a standalone musical number. Many viewers have noted that the song complements the unfolding drama instead of interrupting it.
More about Dhurandhar
Directed by Aditya Dhar, Dhurandhar stars Ranveer Singh as Hamza Ali Mazari and Akshaye Khanna as Rehman Dakait. The ensemble cast also includes R Madhavan, Sanjay Dutt, Arjun Rampal and Sara Arjun in pivotal roles. Supporting performances by Rakesh Bedi, Manav Gohil, Gaurav Gera and Saumya Tandon further strengthen the film.
With its strong word-of-mouth and robust collections, Dhurandhar continues to draw audiences to theatres, while the makers remain focused on celebrating the film’s success rather than engaging in off-screen controversies.