New Delhi: Filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma has once again stirred discussion within the Indian film industry by strongly praising Aditya Dhar’s blockbuster Dhurandhar and claiming that its unprecedented success has left many filmmakers feeling “threatened”. In a series of posts on social media, Varma described the film as a “monstrous hit” and a “quantum leap” that has challenged long-standing assumptions about what works in Indian cinema.
Varma’s remarks come at a time when Dhurandhar, starring Ranveer Singh, continues to dominate conversations around scale, storytelling and box office performance. The film recently crossed the ₹600 crore mark at the domestic box office, cementing its status as one of the biggest Indian hits in recent years.
Varma calls Dhurandhar a “nightmare” for filmmakers
In a lengthy post shared on December 25, Varma argued that films like Dhurandhar unsettle the industry because they defy the templates many big-budget productions still follow. According to him, when a path-breaking blockbuster arrives, it is often ignored or downplayed by industry insiders who feel unable to match its standards.
“When a monstrous hit like Dhurandhar comes along, industry people wish to ignore it,” Varma wrote. “They feel threatened by it due to their inability to match its standards. So they think of it as a nightmare which will vanish when they wake up in their own films.”
He further claimed that several so-called pan-India projects currently under production were conceptualised before Dhurandhar released, and are based on assumptions that the film has now overturned. Varma described the situation as “worrisome” for filmmakers who believed that heavily VFX-driven spectacles, expensive sets, item songs and hero-worship alone were enough to guarantee success.
‘A horror film for old templates’
Taking his metaphor further, Varma said Dhurandhar would loom over production offices like an unspoken presence. “Dhurandhar will be like a monstrous dog invisibly pacing around every production office wherever upcoming biggies are being made,” he wrote, adding that filmmakers might avoid even mentioning the film while being constantly aware of its impact.
He characterised the film as a “horror film” for those who continue to rely on outdated formulas, suggesting that its success signals a shift in audience expectations. According to Varma, the fear lies not just in the film’s box office numbers, but in how it has changed the conversation around cinematic ambition and storytelling.
Varma’s earlier praise for the film
This is not the first time Ram Gopal Varma has openly celebrated Dhurandhar. In an earlier post, he declared, “Dhurandhar is not a film, it is a quantum leap in Indian cinema.” He credited director Aditya Dhar with single-handedly altering the future of filmmaking across both north and south India.
Varma praised the film’s vision and execution, stating that it goes beyond visual scale to create a powerful psychological experience. “Aditya Dhar doesn’t direct scenes here… he engineers states of mind of both the characters and the audience,” he wrote, adding that the film commands attention rather than merely asking for it.
Aditya Dhar responds with an emotional note
Aditya Dhar, known for Uri: The Surgical Strike, responded with a heartfelt message, expressing gratitude and admiration for Varma, whom he described as a lifelong inspiration. Dhar said Varma’s films taught him not just how to make movies, but how to “think dangerously”.
Recalling his early days in Mumbai, Dhar wrote that although he never got the chance to work directly under Varma, his cinema deeply influenced his creative approach. “If Dhurandhar has even a fraction of that DNA, it’s because your films whispered — sometimes screamed — in my head while I was writing and directing it,” Dhar said.
He concluded by thanking Varma for validating his belief in ambitious cinema and trusting audiences to be intelligent and engaged.
Box office milestones and cast details
Dhurandhar has emerged as a major commercial phenomenon. According to figures shared by Jio Studios, the film entered the ₹600 crore club in India within 20 days of its release. On its 20th day alone, it collected ₹20.90 crore, taking its domestic net total to ₹640.20 crore.
The film stars Ranveer Singh in the lead role, supported by an ensemble cast that includes Akshaye Khanna, Arjun Rampal, Sanjay Dutt, R. Madhavan, Sara Arjun and Rakesh Bedi. Trade analysts credit both the scale of the production and the intensity of its performances for its sustained run at the box office.
Looking ahead to the sequel
With the first instalment still running strongly in theatres, anticipation is already building for Dhurandhar 2, which is scheduled for release on March 19, 2026. The makers have hinted that the sequel will expand the story further, raising expectations even higher.
Conclusion
Ram Gopal Varma’s comments underline the wider impact Dhurandhar has had beyond box office numbers. Whether one agrees with his assessment or not, the film has clearly become a benchmark that the industry cannot ignore. As filmmakers reassess audience preferences and creative risks, Dhurandhar appears set to influence Indian cinema for years to come.