Since its theatrical debut on December 5, 2025, the espionage thriller 'Dhurandhar' has dominated box office charts and industry discourse. The film's success story has now taken a dramatic turn, with filmmaker Karan Johar publicly expressing his admiration for the movie in a setting that has set social media abuzz.
Johar's Candid Praise at a Book Launch
The incident unfolded at a book launch event for noted film critic Anupama Chopra. In a video clip that has since gone viral, Karan Johar can be heard lavishing praise on director Aditya Dhar and his cinematic work. Johar's comments are particularly noteworthy as they were made in the presence of Chopra, who had previously critiqued the film, labeling it a 'tough watch' and an 'exhausting' experience.
'I was like, blown away by "Dhurandhar", Johar stated emphatically in the video. He elaborated on his reaction, saying the film made him reflect on his own craft. 'It makes you feel like, "Oh, my craft is limited compared to this." Oh my god, look at the use of background music,' he added.
Respecting Opinions While Sharing His View
Johar was careful to acknowledge the subjectivity of film appreciation while standing firm on his personal take. 'Whatever anyone else feels, it is entirely their opinion, and I respect everyone's opinions,' he said. He then delved into what specifically captivated him about the film's direction.
'What I loved about "Dhurandhar" was that I didn’t feel that the director was self-aware!' Johar explained. 'I felt like he wasn’t trying to show off his craft, and yet he was seamlessly telling you the story. I never felt he went wide or he went like, "I am going to show you a great frame." I just felt it was beautifully shot without self-awareness.'
The director concluded his thoughts by revealing the film's profound impact on him. 'It made me question my ability as a filmmaker, and that’s always a good thing for me. I look at that with a positive lens. So I began the year loving "Saiyaara" and ended the year loving "Dhurandhar". I loved "Lokah",' he shared, naming other films he admired.
Netizens React and Industry Backlash Recalled
The viral clip, shared on platforms like Reddit, triggered a wave of reactions from netizens. One user pointed to the film's commercial success, commenting, 'It is the highest grossing Bollywood film in India ever. EVERYBODY, who is somebody in the industry would appreciate it now.' Another user questioned the timing and location of the praise, asking, 'Why all of this praise is always happening around Anupama.' A third user humorously predicted, 'He'll stop attending any such events now lol.'
This is not the first time a filmmaker has praised 'Dhurandhar' in Chopra's presence. Earlier, 'Saiyaara' director Mohit Suri had also commended the Aditya Dhar directorial during a directors' roundtable hosted by her. Anupama Chopra's original critical review of the film had faced significant backlash online, which later led her to take down the review video.
The film features an ensemble cast including Arjun Rampal, R Madhavan, Ranveer Singh, Sanjay Dutt, Akshaye Khanna, Rakesh Bedi, and Sara Arjun. With its massive success, the anticipation for the sequel is already high. The second part of the film is scheduled for release in theaters on March 19, 2026.
