Ram Gopal Varma is known for his bold filmmaking and strong opinions, especially on crime and the underworld. Having made films like Satya, his views often carry weight when it comes to realistic storytelling and that’s why his latest comment stands out.
The film Dhurandhar 2 is currently enjoying massive success at the box office, receiving widespread praise. Ram Gopal Varma himself had earlier called it one of the best films after Sholay, describing it as a huge leap in Indian cinema. He even praised director Aditya Dhar, calling him his “new guru” and compared the film’s impact to his own cult classic Satya.
However, despite all the appreciation, Ram Gopal Varma has now shared a point of disagreement. In a recent YouTube conversation, he spoke about the film’s portrayal of Dawood Ibrahim. In the movie, Dawood referred to as “Bade Sahab” is shown as the mastermind behind ter*or networks operating from Pakistan.
RGV said that while the filmmakers may have their own sources, the way this character is shown does not match what he personally understands. He clarified that he is not claiming to be completely correct but the depiction feels inaccurate to him.
He further explained that, based on what he has heard over the years, Dawood Ibrahim may no longer be actively involved in criminal activities. According to Ram Gopal Varma, he believes Dawood stepped away from such operations around 20 years ago and has remained inactive by choice.
At the same time, Ram Gopal Varma admitted that the truth in such matters is never fully clear. He pointed out that neither he nor the filmmakers can prove their version completely right or wrong. In his view, these stories often exist in a grey area where facts, assumptions and interpretations overlap.
Despite this disagreement, the film’s success remains unaffected. Dhurandhar 2, led by Ranveer Singh and featuring actors like R Madhavan, Arjun Rampal, Sara Arjun and Gaurav Gera, has reportedly earned ₹1733.2 crore worldwide. Combined with the first film, the franchise has crossed ₹3,000 crore globally.
Dawood Ibrahim, who is one of the main accused in the 1993 Mumbai bl*sts, has long been a powerful figure in stories about organised crime. His life and influence have inspired many films, including several by Ram Gopal Varma himself.
In the end, Ram Gopal Varma’s comments add an interesting layer to the conversation, showing that even a film widely praised can still spark debate when it comes to real-life portrayals.
