There are times when a movie does more than entertain, it makes even seasoned filmmakers pause and reflect. That’s exactly what happened when Karan Johar watched Dhurandhar, Aditya Dhar’s spy action thriller starring Ranveer Singh. Since its theatrical release on December 5, the film has been dominating the box office but it has also clearly left a strong impression on the industry’s biggest names.
A few days after the release, Karan Johar had already shared his admiration for the film on social media, calling it his favourite Ranveer Singh performance to date. Now, speaking at an event, the filmmaker opened up even more about how deeply Dhurandhar affected him.
Karan Johar spoke about being completely absorbed by the film from start to finish. He praised the overall craft, the performances and the way the world of Dhurandhar was created. According to him, the storytelling felt immersive and confident, without trying too hard to impress. What stood out most was how naturally the film flowed, making the technical brilliance feel effortless rather than forced.
He explained that watching Dhurandhar actually made him question his own abilities as a filmmaker and he meant that as a compliment. For Karan, being challenged creatively is a positive experience. He admired how the director Aditya Dhar didn’t appear self-conscious or overly focused on showcasing his skill, yet every frame and every musical moment felt perfectly placed in service of the story.
The use of background music, in particular, impressed him, as did the subtle way the film was shot. Instead of loudly announcing its visual brilliance, the film allowed its craft to quietly support the narrative. Karan noted that while everyone is entitled to their own opinion about a film, this particular approach is what worked for him personally.
He also reflected on how Dhurandhar rounded off a year of cinema that had already impressed him, mentioning other films he had enjoyed intensely over the past months. For him, discovering work that excites and challenges him creatively is always a win.
Earlier, Karan had shared a glowing message on Instagram praising Aditya Dhar, Ranveer Singh and the entire team behind the film, once again highlighting Ranveer’s performance as a standout. His admiration wasn’t isolated, several other celebrities, including actors and filmmakers from across industries, have also publicly praised Dhurandhar.
With strong box office numbers and overwhelming appreciation from peers, Dhurandhar has clearly struck a chord. And when a filmmaker like Karan Johar says a movie made him rethink his own craft, it only adds to the growing legacy of Aditya Dhar’s ambitious thriller.
