Dhurandhar Producer Opens Up on Film's Challenging Greenlight Process
Jyoti Deshpande, the co-producer of the blockbuster spy action film Dhurandhar, has candidly discussed the significant hurdles involved in getting the Ranveer Singh-starrer approved for production. In a recent interview, she revealed that the project defied all conventional norms of the film industry, making it a particularly risky venture to back financially.
Why Dhurandhar Was a Risky Proposition
Deshpande, who serves as the president of Jio Studios, elaborated on the factors that made Dhurandhar a challenging film to greenlight. She pointed out that when evaluating a film for approval, producers typically consider elements such as genre, star power, and commercial viability. However, Dhurandhar presented a unique set of obstacles that did not align with traditional expectations.
The film featured an adult (A) certification, contained graphic violence, was predominantly shot in Pakistan, and included a cast with almost entirely Muslim characters. "It doesn't tick any box," Deshpande admitted, highlighting how the project broke away from standard industry formulas. Despite these unconventional aspects, she found the film to be clutter-breaking and more emotionally resonant than typical patriotic movies, which ultimately convinced her to support it.
Addressing Propaganda Allegations
In response to criticisms that Dhurandhar carried political undertones or propagandistic messages, Deshpande firmly dismissed these claims. She asserted that the film had no agenda and was not intended to target any religion. "I do not believe at all that this film was propaganda or it had some agenda to deliver. It definitely was not against any religion," she stated.
Deshpande emphasized that the film's core message was about condemning terrorism, rather than promoting divisiveness. "If we are rooting for our country, there's nothing wrong with it. We're not rooting for our country at the cost of any religion or anything. We're saying terrorism is bad. Terrorism is bad in any religion," she explained, clarifying the filmmakers' intentions.
Box Office Success and Sequel Expectations
Dhurandhar, released in 2025, proved to be a massive commercial hit, grossing approximately Rs 1,304.5 crore worldwide on a budget of around Rs 280 crore. This achievement positioned it as the fourth-highest-grossing Indian film of all time, according to industry tracker Sacnilk. Deshpande likened its success to that of the iconic classic Sholay (1975), noting that it captured the public's imagination in a way rarely seen in decades.
With the sequel, Dhurandhar: The Revenge, set to release on March 19, 2026, expectations are soaring. Deshpande expressed unwavering confidence that the second instalment will outperform the first. "We know what's in part two; we have the conviction. We have shot both films together. Had the first part not fired, the second one would have sat in our cupboard. However, we were sure the first part would fire, so we put that energy out. We are so happy the audience took a shine to it. We believe Dhurandhar 2 will be bigger than the first part," she declared.
Regional Impact and Upcoming Release
Deshpande also highlighted the film's impressive performance in southern India, revealing that the Hindi version of Dhurandhar earned three times more from southern states compared to other successful Hindi films. This regional success underscores the movie's broad appeal across diverse audiences.
Dhurandhar: The Revenge will feature a star-studded cast including Ranveer Singh, Sanjay Dutt, Akshaye Khanna, R Madhavan, Arjun Rampal, and Sara Arjun. The film will be released in multiple languages—Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam—aiming to replicate and exceed the pan-India success of its predecessor. It is slated to clash with Geetu Mohandas' Toxic, starring Yash, at the box office, setting the stage for a highly anticipated cinematic showdown.
