Madhur Bhandarkar Praises Dhurandhar 2, Questions Bollywood's Silence
Acclaimed filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar has voiced strong opinions about the industry response to Dhurandhar: The Revenge, lauding Aditya Dhar's directorial achievement while criticizing what he describes as a "shocking silence" from the Hindi film fraternity. In a revealing conversation with Faridoon Shahryar, Bhandarkar stated that the film has disrupted Bollywood in unprecedented ways.
Agreement with Ram Gopal Varma's Assessment
Bhandarkar expressed complete alignment with Ram Gopal Varma's dramatic characterization of the film's impact. "I completely agree with Ram Gopal Varma," Bhandarkar emphasized. "I think me and Ramu ji were among the first to tweet about this remarkable film. After watching a paid preview on Wednesday night, I immediately shared my admiration the following morning."
The filmmaker revealed he has communicated directly with director Aditya Dhar to convey his appreciation. "I told him how brilliant the film truly is. Personally, I found Dhurandhar 2 even more compelling than its predecessor," Bhandarkar added.
Contrast Between South Indian and Bollywood Reactions
Bhandarkar highlighted a striking disparity in industry responses. "I witnessed enthusiastic tweets from South Indian superstars including Mahesh Babu, Allu Arjun, Ram Charan, and the legendary Rajinikanth sir—so many prominent actors openly appreciated the achievement," he noted.
"However, I'm genuinely shocked that our Mumbai film industry hasn't extended the kind of applause and support that Aditya Dhar rightfully deserves," Bhandarkar continued. He stressed that every cinematic effort warrants acknowledgment regardless of personal taste. "Every film—whether you personally like it or not—deserves appreciation. Aditya Dhar has revitalized our industry during a particularly challenging period."
Critique of Industry Fragmentation
The filmmaker didn't hesitate to address what he perceives as fundamental disunity within Bollywood. "I consistently maintain there is no genuine unity in our film industry," Bhandarkar asserted. "The support that should have emerged from fellow filmmakers, actors, and producers here simply didn't materialize. Meanwhile, observe the South—where superstars watched the film during its initial days and publicly celebrated it."
Bhandarkar elaborated on the collective benefits of cinematic success. "When one film performs exceptionally well, everyone benefits—technicians, spot boys, actors, music directors. We should openly appreciate such achievements. What exactly are we attempting to prove by maintaining silence?"
Transformative Impact on Filmmaking Dynamics
Referencing the film's substantial influence, Bhandarkar expanded upon Ram Gopal Varma's earlier analogies. "I believe the impact is even more significant than previous comparisons suggest. This film has fundamentally altered entire dynamics—screenplay conventions, narrative logic, the very grammar of filmmaking. People are astonished," he explained.
"I've conversed with numerous directors who exclaimed, 'What a film!' I even tweeted that this will become a global case study—in film schools everywhere. Our industry needs to awaken now and comprehend what kinds of films resonate with audiences," Bhandarkar urged.
Recognition of Aditya Dhar's Visionary Direction
Bhandarkar specifically credited director Aditya Dhar's unique creative vision. "This is unequivocally a director's film. You can possess all the financial resources, but you cannot replicate the creative intellect of Aditya Dhar. The screenplay, the meticulous detailing—in an era where people struggle to watch one-minute WhatsApp videos completely, here they remain seated until 2:45 AM watching the entire film," he marveled.
Sharing his personal viewing experiences, Bhandarkar added: "I've watched Dhurandhar 2 twice and its predecessor three times. I visit theaters specifically to observe audience reactions. People remained completely engaged through the end credits. That emotional connection, particularly during the climax with Ranveer Singh's character—it generates genuine goosebumps. I witnessed people moved to tears."
The filmmaker's comments underscore ongoing conversations about industry solidarity, creative recognition, and evolving audience expectations in contemporary Indian cinema.
