Aditya Dhar Credits Ram Gopal Varma for Paving the Way for 'Dhurandhar'
Aditya Dhar ’s Dhurandhar is not just ruling the box office, it’s also sparking heartfelt conversations in the film industry. Soon after the film’s explosive release, veteran filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma praised Dhar, calling attention to how his cinema has inspired a new generation of directors. Dhar, in turn, responded with words that struck an emotional chord.
When RGV humbly wondered aloud, “It sounds nice that I INSPIRED all these great directors to become GREAT, but when will I, the INSPIRER, become GREAT?”, Dhar replied with quiet reverence. He reminded the Satya director that true greatness lies in taking risks when no one else dares. “Ramu sir, you took the risks when it was the hardest!! At a time when there were no templates, no safety nets, and no guarantee that things would work. Dhurandhar could run because you walked first, sir. Some paths don’t end with applause. They end in creating a legacy!,” Dhar wrote. Some journeys, he said, don’t end in applause, they end in legacy.
Earlier, Dhar had openly credited RGV as a defining force behind his creative journey. He recalled arriving in Mumbai with a single suitcase and a dream of working under Ram Gopal Varma, a dream that never materialised directly. Yet, Dhar believes he grew up “inside” Varma’s cinema. He said, “I came to Mumbai years ago carrying one suitcase, one dream, and an unreasonable belief that I would one day work under Ram Gopal Verma. That never happened. But somewhere along the way, without knowing it, I worked inside your cinema. Your films didn’t teach me how to make movies — they taught me how to think dangerously."
“You were one of my favourite directors who made Indian cinema feel fearless, impolite, and alive. 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 added.
Written and directed by Aditya Dhar, Dhurandhar draws inspiration from real-life geopolitical conflicts and covert R&AW operations, with strong links to Operation Lyari, a Pakistan-led crackdown on criminal syndicates in Karachi’s Lyari region. The film features a powerhouse cast led by Ranveer Singh and Akshaye Khanna, alongside Sanjay Dutt, R. Madhavan, Arjun Rampal, and Sara Arjun in key roles.
The first installment of this two-part series has earned widespread acclaim for its intense performances, gripping direction, striking cinematography, immersive atmosphere, and impactful music. With expectations soaring, Dhurandhar Part 2 is set to hit theatres on 19 March 2026.
When RGV humbly wondered aloud, “It sounds nice that I INSPIRED all these great directors to become GREAT, but when will I, the INSPIRER, become GREAT?”, Dhar replied with quiet reverence. He reminded the Satya director that true greatness lies in taking risks when no one else dares. “Ramu sir, you took the risks when it was the hardest!! At a time when there were no templates, no safety nets, and no guarantee that things would work. Dhurandhar could run because you walked first, sir. Some paths don’t end with applause. They end in creating a legacy!,” Dhar wrote. Some journeys, he said, don’t end in applause, they end in legacy.
Earlier, Dhar had openly credited RGV as a defining force behind his creative journey. He recalled arriving in Mumbai with a single suitcase and a dream of working under Ram Gopal Varma, a dream that never materialised directly. Yet, Dhar believes he grew up “inside” Varma’s cinema. He said, “I came to Mumbai years ago carrying one suitcase, one dream, and an unreasonable belief that I would one day work under Ram Gopal Verma. That never happened. But somewhere along the way, without knowing it, I worked inside your cinema. Your films didn’t teach me how to make movies — they taught me how to think dangerously."
“You were one of my favourite directors who made Indian cinema feel fearless, impolite, and alive. 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 added.
Written and directed by Aditya Dhar, Dhurandhar draws inspiration from real-life geopolitical conflicts and covert R&AW operations, with strong links to Operation Lyari, a Pakistan-led crackdown on criminal syndicates in Karachi’s Lyari region. The film features a powerhouse cast led by Ranveer Singh and Akshaye Khanna, alongside Sanjay Dutt, R. Madhavan, Arjun Rampal, and Sara Arjun in key roles.
The first installment of this two-part series has earned widespread acclaim for its intense performances, gripping direction, striking cinematography, immersive atmosphere, and impactful music. With expectations soaring, Dhurandhar Part 2 is set to hit theatres on 19 March 2026.
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