Cinema VinesDuring a recent gathering hosted by the digital news platform The Wire, filmmaker Tigmanshu Dhulia took a sharp stance against Ranveer Singh’s blockbuster franchise, the Dhurandhar duology. Dhulia, who has earned acclaim for films such as Haasil and Paan Singh Tomar, declared that the two Dhurandhar titles “have no story,” arguing that the narratives are shallow and devoid of depth.
Speaking on the theme “The State of Media and Film Industry,” Dhulia criticised the franchise’s plot, noting that it follows a familiar pattern where a hero travels to Pakistan and causes chaos. He questioned whether such a storyline constitutes a meaningful narrative, suggesting that the films merely recycle clichés rather than offering fresh storytelling.
Beyond the Dhurandhar series, Dhulia linked the perceived decline in storytelling to the influence of extreme capitalism in Bollywood. He remarked that under such a system, people begin to look and act alike, citing fashion trends, identical haircuts, and even the homogenisation of cityscapes. He lamented that his hometown, formerly known as Allahabad and now Prayagraj, has lost its unique character, replaced by generic malls and cars.
The filmmaker’s comments sparked mixed reactions online. Some users on X dismissed him as a “bitter, self-proclaimed taste merchant,” while others simply labelled his remarks as “sour grapes.” Despite the backlash, Dhulia remains focused on his upcoming ZEE5 original, Ghamasan, set to release on September 11 and starring Arshad Warsi and Pratik Gandhi.
The Dhurandhar films, written and directed by Aditya Dhar, feature an ensemble cast that includes Ranveer Singh, Akshaye Khanna, Sanjay Dutt, Arjun Rampal, R. Madhavan, Sara Arjun, Rakesh Bedi, Gaurav Gera, and Danish Pandor. The story follows an undercover Indian intelligence agent who infiltrates Karachi’s criminal and political networks to dismantle a terror plot against India. Together, the two films have grossed over ₹3,000 crore at the box office.
