As 2025 draws to a close, acclaimed director Madhur Bhandarkar has shared his definitive picks for the year's finest cinematic achievements. In an exclusive conversation, the National Award-winning filmmaker behind movies like 'Fashion' and 'Chandni Bar' didn't hold back his admiration for the year's standout talents and projects.
Dhurandhar Crowned as the Year's Best
Topping Madhur Bhandarkar's list is Aditya Dhar's ambitious film 'Dhurandhar', featuring a powerhouse cast including Ranveer Singh, Akshaye Khanna, and Arjun Rampal. Bhandarkar didn't mince words in his praise, stating that the film and its director have fundamentally altered the industry's landscape.
"As a director, I feel Aditya Dhar has changed the grammar," Bhandarkar declared. He elaborated that Dhar has successfully "changed the whole dynamics, the whole equation of the film industry and the script." This bold statement underscores the significant impact Bhandarkar believes 'Dhurandhar' has made.
Masterful Performances Take Center Stage
Bhandarkar reserved special acclaim for the lead actors. He was thoroughly impressed by the work of both Ranveer Singh and Akshaye Khanna, giving an extra nod to Khanna's performance in the film 'Chhaava'.
"Both actors were brilliant in their roles. Akshaye Khanna was absolutely brilliant in both films. Akshaye Khanna, especially!" Bhandarkar exclaimed. He even mentioned tweeting about it, calling Khanna's work "a masterclass for any actor." He praised the actor's body language and nuanced delivery, concluding that words like 'fab' were an understatement for such brilliant work.
Discussing Ranveer Singh's role in 'Dhurandhar', Bhandarkar highlighted the actor's remarkable restraint. "I loved him because I just felt that the role required a lot of restraint in the character, and he did it," he said. He pointed out how Singh excelled even when playing a background character, performing brilliantly during close-ups while other actors delivered their lines.
A Nuanced Analysis of Restrained Acting
Delving deeper into Ranveer Singh's performance, Bhandarkar analyzed the subtlety required for the role. He credited both the actor and director for ensuring the character never broke, even for a second, while displaying a range of emotions effortlessly.
"You have to credit the actor and the director both. I feel Ranveer just surrendered to the vision of the filmmaker," Bhandarkar observed. He cited specific scenes, like the tense 26/11 sequence and an interrogation scene, as examples of very difficult restrained performances that were captured perfectly by the audience.
"It's not that you are reacting within four walls with other people. It's a very difficult kind of performance," Bhandarkar explained, asserting that Aditya Dhar has "broken new ground" with this approach.
Bhandarkar's Other Favourites of 2025
Beyond 'Dhurandhar', Madhur Bhandarkar named two other films that captured his heart in 2025.
The first is the love story 'Saiyaara', starring debutants Ahaan Pandey and Aneet Padda. Bhandarkar confessed he was "completely mesmerised" by the film. He praised the outstanding performances of the lead pair, noting that their acting was so proficient it never felt like a debut.
His third pick is 'Kantara: Chapter 1', the much-anticipated follow-up to the blockbuster original. Bhandarkar called the film "simply awesome," singling out Rishab Shetty's performance. "He mesmerised everybody with his performances. It was a brilliant work this time," Bhandarkar said, adding that he really enjoyed the film.
In his final verdict, Madhur Bhandarkar emphatically stated that the cinematic year of 2025 belonged to the creators and performers of these three remarkable films. His insights offer a respected director's lens on the stories and artistry that defined the year in Indian cinema.
