While the espionage thriller 'Dhurandhar' continues its record-breaking run at the box office, acclaimed filmmaker Sriram Raghavan has made it clear that despite appreciating the film, he would never venture into making a movie of that genre. Raghavan, who is gearing up for the release of his own patriotic drama 'Ikkis', shared his candid thoughts in a recent interview.
Raghavan's Candid Take on the Blockbuster
In a conversation with The Hindu, Raghavan was asked to draw a comparison between 'Dhurandhar' and his own spy film, 'Agent Vinod'. He acknowledged the Aditya Dhar directorial as a 'well-made film with terrific performances'. However, he was quick to add, 'It is not our kind of film. We must understand that we are living in different times.'
He elaborated using the James Bond franchise as an example, noting that the older films with stars like Sean Connery were fun, while the contemporary iterations have taken a more serious tone. 'Dhurandhar is one movie. It is doing spectacularly well, and it should. But this is not the only format. If I start following it, it will be the silliest thing to do,' Raghavan stated, emphasizing his commitment to his unique storytelling style.
Mutual Respect Amidst Different Sensibilities
The director revealed a shared history with 'Dhurandhar' creator Aditya Dhar, noting that both have won National Awards—Raghavan for 'Andhadhun' and Dhar for 'Uri'. He expressed his admiration for Dhar's work, saying, 'He (Aditya) has a different kind of sensibility and craft, and I love watching his films, but it is not something I would make.' This highlights a healthy respect for diverse cinematic voices within the industry, even when their creative paths diverge.
'Dhurandhar' Numbers and 'Ikkis' Anticipation
The Ranveer Singh-led mega-starrer, which also features an ensemble cast including Sanjay Dutt, R. Madhavan, Akshaye Khanna, and Arjun Rampal, has been a commercial juggernaut. Released on December 5, 2025, the film has reportedly raked in a staggering Rs 709.65 crore in India so far, as per Sacnilk. Fans can look forward to the second part, which is scheduled for release on March 19, 2026.
Meanwhile, all eyes are now on Sriram Raghavan's upcoming project, 'Ikkis'. The film is a biographical war drama based on the life of Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, PVC, who made the ultimate sacrifice during the 1971 Indo-Pak War. The movie marks the final screen appearance of veteran actor Dharmendra and also stars Agastya Nanda as Arun Khetarpal and Jaideep Ahlawat in key roles. 'Ikkis' is set to hit theaters on January 1, 2026.
The contrasting success of 'Dhurandhar' and the awaited release of 'Ikkis' underscore the vibrant diversity of Indian cinema, where different genres and directorial visions can thrive simultaneously, catering to varied audience tastes.
