Madhur Bhandarkar Praises *Dhurandhar*, Says Bollywood Needs More Unity Among Filmmakers

Filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar has spoken out about what he sees as a lack of unity within the Hindi film industry while praising the success of Aditya Dhar’s Dhurandhar. The National Award-winning director said filmmakers and actors should openly celebrate strong work, arguing that the success of one film benefits the entire industry.

Speaking in recent interviews, Bhandarkar revealed that he personally reached out to Aditya Dhar after watching Dhurandhar and publicly praised the film because he believed exceptional work deserved recognition.

“I watched it and called Aditya Dhar to tell him how brilliant the film is,” Bhandarkar said,

Adding that he has never hesitated to support films he genuinely admires.

Calls for Greater Support Within Bollywood

Bhandarkar said he was surprised by the limited public response from members of the Mumbai film industry despite the film’s strong reception among audiences.

He pointed out that several prominent South Indian stars publicly appreciated the film, while Bollywood’s reaction was comparatively subdued.

“I always say there is no unity in the film industry,” Bhandarkar said. “One film doing well benefits everyone—technicians, spot boys, actors, music directors. We should appreciate openly.”

The filmmaker also recalled conversations with industry colleagues who questioned why he would publicly post about Dhurandhar. For Bhandarkar, such reactions highlight a broader issue within the industry.

“If I like a film, I watch it multiple times in theatres,” he said, emphasizing that appreciation for cinema should go beyond professional rivalries or industry divisions.

Strong Praise for Ranveer Singh and Aditya Dhar

Bhandarkar reserved special praise for lead actor Ranveer Singh, describing his performance as one of the finest of his career.

“After watching Part Two, the way Ranveer has played the character so flawlessly, I salute him. He should definitely get a National Award. There is no doubt about it,” Bhandarkar said.

He credited the performance to Singh’s trust in director Aditya Dhar and his long-term commitment to the project.

“One thing I want to tell you is that Ranveer Singh surrendered himself to Aditya Dhar. That is what true dedication is. He gave three-and-a-half years to this film,” Bhandarkar said.

The filmmaker argued that the collaboration between actor and director produced a version of Ranveer Singh audiences had never seen before.

“I had seen Ranveer Singh in Padmaavat as Alauddin Khilji and I was shocked by that performance. But Aditya Dhar has taken him ten folds higher. This is a completely different Ranveer Singh.”

Bhandarkar also highlighted emotional sequences involving Singh’s character, particularly scenes showing physical vulnerability and emotional breakdown, which he described as award-worthy.

‘A Director’s Film’

Throughout his comments, Bhandarkar repeatedly credited Aditya Dhar’s vision for the film’s success.

“Dhurandhar is 150 per cent a director’s film. From the first frame to the last frame, it belongs to Aditya Dhar,” he said.

He argued that the film demonstrates the importance of strong storytelling and directorial conviction, describing it as a project that has altered conversations around screenwriting, filmmaking techniques and audience expectations.

“You can have all the money, but you can’t get the brain of Aditya Dhar,” Bhandarkar remarked.

A Film He Believes Will Influence the Industry

Bhandarkar has consistently described Dhurandhar as a turning point for Hindi cinema. In posts shared on social media, he said the film’s success could encourage studios to invest more heavily in content-driven storytelling and diverse casting.

“Post Dhurandhar’s super success, there will be a big paradigm shift in the Mumbai film industry, driven by strong content, diverse casting, and production houses backing scripts that resonate with audiences on a large scale,” he wrote.

He further added that the film is “set to redefine the dynamics of Hindi cinema” and influence how stories and talent are approached in the future.

The filmmaker has also praised the performances of Akshaye Khanna, R. Madhavan, Sanjay Dutt, Arjun Rampal, Sara Arjun and Rakesh Bedi, describing the ensemble cast as one of the film’s major strengths.

Dhurandhar, directed by Aditya Dhar and headlined by Ranveer Singh, emerged as a major box-office success and has already spawned a sequel, Dhurandhar: The Revenge. Bhandarkar believes the franchise’s impact extends beyond commercial numbers, seeing it as a reminder that compelling storytelling remains the strongest force in cinema.