Following the massive success of Dhurandhar, filmmaker Aditya Dhar has emerged as one of the most talked-about names in the industry—not just for the scale and impact of his cinema, but also for the debates and controversies surrounding the film’s political undertones.
Amid the ongoing discussions, filmmaker Anurag Kashyap shared his candid and nuanced views on Dhurandhar and its director. Taking to Letterboxd, Kashyap described Aditya Dhar as a “top-notch filmmaker,” while openly acknowledging that he did not fully agree with certain dialogues in the film.
In his review, Kashyap wrote that a spy or a soldier cannot exist without a sense of anger and conflict towards the enemy state, stating that he had no issue with the core premise of the film. However, he pointed out two moments that he personally disagreed with—one dialogue delivered by R Madhavan and another towards the climax where Ranveer Singh says, “Ye naya India hai.” Despite this, Kashyap emphasised that setting those lines aside, Dhurandhar stands out as a “brilliant film,” especially for being almost entirely set in Pakistan.
Kashyap further elaborated on his long association with Aditya Dhar, noting that he has known the filmmaker since his National Award-winning film Boond. He acknowledged Dhar’s political stance as genuine and deeply personal, rooted in his identity as a Kashmiri Pandit who has lived through displacement and trauma.
Calling Dhar “honest” and “not an opportunist,” Kashyap stated that one may agree or disagree with the filmmaker’s politics, but cannot deny his integrity. He also drew parallels with acclaimed Hollywood films like The Hurt Locker, Zero Dark Thirty, and House of Dynamite, describing them as Oscar-winning propaganda films about the United States. Kashyap admitted that just as he looked past certain ideological elements in those films to appreciate the craft, he chose to ignore the two dialogues he disagreed with in Dhurandhar to fully admire its filmmaking.
Praising the technical execution, Kashyap called the film’s direction “top notch” and lauded Dhar’s stubborn commitment to his vision. He also singled out Ranveer Singh’s performance as his favourite, describing the actor as “so secure” in the role. Kashyap concluded by calling Dhurandhar a “significant film,” adding that while he would personally discuss political disagreements with Dhar, the film’s cinematic merit remains undeniable.
Dhurandhar stars Ranveer Singh in the lead role, alongside an ensemble cast that includes Akshaye Khanna, R Madhavan, Sanjay Dutt, Arjun Rampal, Sara Arjun, and Rakesh Bedi. Designed as a large-scale espionage thriller, the film delves into covert intelligence operations inspired by real-life events.
The second part of Dhurandhar is scheduled for a theatrical release on March 19, and anticipation remains high following the strong reception of the first instalment.
