Nikkhil Advani on D-Day's Evolution and Comparisons with Dhurandhar
In an exclusive conversation with SCREEN, filmmaker Nikkhil Advani opened up about his 2013 spy actioner D-Day, which has transformed from a major box-office disappointment into a revered cult classic over the past decade. Released over ten years ago, the film initially struggled at the box office but has since gained significant appreciation, with many now viewing it as ahead of its time. Advani noted that D-Day arrived even before Neeraj Pandey's Baby and Kabir Khan's Phantom, which explored similar spy genres.
Audience Dynamics: D-Day vs. Dhurandhar
With the recent release of Aditya Dhar's blockbuster Dhurandhar, starring Ranveer Singh, comparisons with D-Day have become inevitable on social media, sparking calls for a re-release of the cult classic. Advani, who admits he has not yet seen Dhurandhar, shared his thoughts on the comparisons. He praised Dhurandhar as a front-foot film with powerful music and a strong directorial voice, acknowledging its massive box-office success of over a thousand crores.
However, Advani emphasized that while D-Day may now find the audience it missed initially, it likely will not attract the same broad viewership as Dhurandhar. He stated, "I think D-Day will find the audience that it didn’t find back then, but I don’t know whether it would be the audience of a Dhurandhar." This highlights the distinct appeal and commercial scale of the two films within the action genre.
Casting Coup and Rishi Kapoor's Memorable Role
Reflecting on the making of D-Day, Advani recalled pulling off a remarkable casting coup, bringing together talents like Rishi Kapoor, Irrfan Khan, Arjun Rampal, Huma Qureshi, Aakash Dahiya, and Chandan Roy Sanyal. He shared an anecdote about casting Rishi Kapoor, who was not initially offered the lead role inspired by Dawood Ibrahim. Advani had first approached Kapoor for a different part, later played by Nassar, due to their close relationship from working on Patiala House and living near each other in Pali Hill.
When Advani narrated the story, Kapoor expressed frustration, saying, "Yaar, I’m not Jon Voight, I’m not like Gene Hackman. Give me a proper role. I want to play the hero of your film." Kapoor then showed Advani a photograph of his character Rauf Lala from Agneepath, which inspired Advani to reconsider. The next morning, Advani decided to cast Kapoor as Dawood, a role that became one of the actor's most memorable performances.
Alternative Casting Considerations and Industry Insights
Advani also revealed that before finalizing Rishi Kapoor, he had a brief conversation with Arshad Warsi about the role. At a party in Juhu, Warsi expressed willingness to test for the part, showcasing his versatility beyond comedic roles. Advani praised Warsi's potential, noting that he has been underutilized in the industry despite his capabilities, as seen in films like Ishqiya.
This insight into the casting process underscores the collaborative and often serendipitous nature of filmmaking, where roles can evolve based on actor-director dynamics. Advani's reflections not only celebrate D-Day's enduring legacy but also shed light on the creative decisions that shaped this cult classic, offering fans a deeper appreciation of its journey from box-office failure to beloved actioner.
