As 2025 draws to a close, Hindi cinema has found its biggest talking point in Ranveer Singh’s Dhurandhar. Directed by Aditya Dhar, the film has not only smashed box office records but has also changed the tone of mainstream Bollywood storytelling. While fans and critics have openly praised the film, the silence from several big names in the industry has raised eyebrows. Filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma has now weighed in, offering a blunt and thought-provoking explanation.
Taking to social media, Ram Gopal Varma suggested that whenever a truly game-changing film arrives, it tends to make people within the industry uncomfortable. According to him, such massive successes are often ignored because they challenge existing beliefs and expose creative limitations. Instead of celebrating the achievement, many prefer to pretend it does not exist, hoping the impact fades away while they continue working within familiar frameworks.
RGV went on to say that this discomfort is even stronger for large-scale projects that are already under production. He explained that many of these films were planned using formulas which were popular before Dhurandhar arrived. The film, however, has flipped those assumptions on their head by succeeding without relying on excessive visual effects, grand sets or over-the-top star worship. As per him, what makes it more unsettling is that Dhurandhar is not just a huge commercial hit but also one of the most discussed films in decades.
To explain the feeling within the industry, Ram Gopal Varma used a striking analogy. He compared Dhurandhar to a presence that cannot be ignored, something that quietly but constantly reminds filmmakers of an uncomfortable truth. Even if people try not to mention it, the thought of the film lingers, especially when they look at their own projects. For many creators who believed in older commercial templates, the film has become a source of anxiety rather than inspiration.
Here is RGV’s post on X:
https://x.com/RGVzoomin/status/2004019400459030641
Ram Gopal Varma also pointed out that Dhurandhar marks a shift where the film itself is being celebrated more than the star, which challenges long-standing industry practices. He feels that this forces filmmakers to reflect on their own creative choices and confront whether their work truly connects with audiences.
He concluded by praising Aditya Dhar for holding up a mirror to the industry. In Ram Gopal Varma’s view, Dhurandhar is not just a blockbuster but a wake-up call, one that Bollywood cannot avoid, no matter how hard it tries to look away.
