Priyadarshan Applauds Aditya Dhar's Bold Filmmaking Vision
Renowned filmmaker Priyadarshan has publicly commended his former protege, Aditya Dhar, for his audacious and unconventional approach to storytelling in the film industry. This praise comes as Dhar's latest directorial venture, Dhurandhar 2, continues to achieve remarkable success at the box office, breaking records and captivating audiences nationwide.
"Some People Have Guts": Priyadarshan on Dhar's Conviction
In a candid interview with India Today, Priyadarshan highlighted Aditya Dhar's unwavering confidence, drawing a parallel with another maverick director, Sandeep Reddy Vanga of Animal fame. "Some people have guts. I've seen both kinds of people. One is Sandeep Reddy Vanga, who made Animal, and another is Aditya Dhar," Priyadarshan stated. He recounted asking both directors about their bold decision to work on lengthy four-hour films, to which they simply replied, "It will work, sir."
Priyadarshan emphasized that this conviction defies traditional industry formulas, noting that "no producer will ever allow you to make a four-hour film, but the conviction of the director is the ultimate thing." This fearless mindset, he believes, is what sets visionary filmmakers apart in a competitive landscape.
A Self-Taught Journey: From Assistant to Acclaimed Director
Reflecting on Aditya Dhar's professional evolution, Priyadarshan shared insights into Dhar's early years as an assistant on films like Aakrosh and Tezz. "I never taught Aditya anything, but he learned. That is the only way we can make films," Priyadarshan revealed. He compared Dhar's learning process to his own, stating, "I never went to any school, I just watched films and learned from masters. In the same way, Aditya... I don't know if I taught him anything, but by being with me, he learned by himself."
In a humble admission, Priyadarshan added, "He did things better than me, and that's how Dhurandhar happened," acknowledging Dhar's growth and success as a testament to his dedication and innate talent.
Enduring Release Anxiety and Upcoming Projects
Despite his extensive experience and support for new-age filmmakers like Dhar, Priyadarshan confessed that the anxiety surrounding film releases remains unchanged for him. "Every time a film releases, I have tension for two days because the first two days are your test, whether you are right or wrong," he explained. "Even after 40 or 50 years, I have the same tension for every release. I just want to know how people will accept it."
This sentiment comes as Priyadarshan prepares for the release of his upcoming film, Bhooth Bangla, scheduled to hit theaters on April 10. Meanwhile, Dhurandhar 2 continues its impressive theatrical run, featuring a star-studded cast including Ranveer Singh, R Madhavan, Arjun Rampal, Sara Arjun, Sanjay Dutt, and Rakesh Bedi, further solidifying Dhar's reputation as a bold and successful director in Bollywood.
