Dhurandhar Is a Wake-Up Call for Indian Cinema: Ram Gopal Varma’s Sharp Take

Veteran filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma has sparked a fresh debate in film circles with his powerful observations on Dhurandhar, calling the film a turning point and a warning to the Indian film industry to evolve. In a strongly worded note, RGV praised the film for breaking away from formula-driven storytelling and treating cinema as a serious artistic confrontation rather than mere consumption.
Varma pointed out that Dhurandhar refuses to glorify its hero with forced slow-motion shots or deafening background scores. Instead, it allows the protagonist’s flaws and their consequences to exist naturally, creating tension rather than applause-seeking moments. He highlighted Ranveer Singh’s performance, noting how the star consciously steps back to let Akshaye Khanna dominate key scenes, proving a deep understanding of story-first cinema.
He also applauded the film’s narrative restraint, stating that Dhurandhar withholds information instead of over-explaining. Long stretches of silence, according to him, achieve what pages of exposition fail to do in most mainstream films. Violence in the film is treated not as a spectacle but as a psychological experience, with action director Aejaz Gulab receiving special praise for crafting action that reflects characters’ mental states. Varma described this as some of the finest action seen in Indian cinema, leaving a lasting moral and emotional impact.
RGV further observed that the film abandons the comfort of the traditional three-act structure, choosing instead a raw, uneven narrative that mirrors real life. The storytelling trusts the audience’s intelligence, avoiding spoon-feeding or emotional cues, and allowing viewers to discover meaning on their own. Sound design, he noted, functions like a lead character, with background noise, breathing, and chaos shaping the film’s psychological depth.
Another standout aspect, according to Varma, is the film’s refusal to stick to a single genre. Dhurandhar seamlessly blends political thriller, character study, visceral action, and moral tragedy, constantly reshaping audience expectations. The background score by Shashwat emerges as foreground music, creating unease without instructing viewers on how to feel, making the emotional experience deeply immersive.
Concluding his remarks, Ram Gopal Varma stated that Dhurandhar does not aim to merely entertain for a few hours but to stay with the audience long after the film ends. He thanked director Aditya Dhar for helping Indian cinema “grow up” and emphasized that the film’s success is not just about box office numbers but a clear message to the industry to rethink, reset, and mature.
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