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    EYE ON BOLLYWOOD                                                         APRIL 10, 2026    |  The Indian Eye 42

                     Dhurandhar redefines scale and

                storytelling, sets a new benchmark

                                               for Indian cinema

                                          With scale, authenticity and global ambition,

                             the film is being hailed as a defining moment for the industry

            OUR BUREAU
            Mumbai

                     hen Dhurandhar: The Revenge released
                     worldwide on March 19, it arrived with
            Wthe weight of expectations that often ac-
            company sequels. Yet, within days, the film began
            to carve out a reputation not just as a commercial
            success but as a cinematic milestone. Among those
            who have endorsed its impact is Pankaj Saran, for-
            mer  Deputy  National  Security  Advisor  of  India,
            who has described the film as setting “a new bench-
            mark for the Indian film industry.”
                In an interview, Saran underscored what he saw
            as the film’s defining achievement: its professional
            execution  and  its  commitment  to  portraying  real
            incidents with authenticity. He framed the film as
            a  product  of  a  maturing  industry—one  that  is  in-
            creasingly aligned with global filmmaking standards.
            According to him, the director’s “artistic” approach
            enables the narrative to remain grounded in reality
            while still appealing to a wide audience.
               “I  love  the  film.  I  love  Dhurandhar  2  more
            than Dhurandhar 1,” Saran said, placing the sequel   Led by Ranveer Singh, the ensemble includes Arjun Rampal, R. Madhavan, Rakesh Bedi and Sanjay Dutt,
            above its predecessor. While he acknowledged that
            “the violence… was a little over the top,” his broader                 with a cameo appearance by Yami Gautam (File photo)
            assessment was unequivocal. “In terms of cinema,
            in terms of production, in terms of skills, in terms of  “make caricatures of Nazis, of the Russians, and cre-  was released the previous year, continuing a narra-
            quality, I think it sets a new benchmark for the Indi-  ate that enemy image.” In that context, he defended   tive arc that has clearly resonated with audiences.
            an film industry. I think it’s going to be very difficult   the use of artistic license in Dhurandhar: The Re-  That resonance is evident in its box office per-
            for anyone to match up.”                      venge, arguing that it is consistent with global film-  formance.  According  to  film  trade  analyst  Taran
                Such praise points to a shift in how Indian war   making practices.                    Adarsh, the film has crossed Rs 800 crore after its
            dramas are being perceived. Saran contrasted the   “I think it’s fine if the director has decided to   second weekend. The numbers reflect not just com-
            film  with  earlier  portrayals  of  conflict,  particular-  use artistic license to exaggerate a particular story   mercial success but also the scale of audience en-
            ly those influenced by Hollywood. He noted that   and it’s all based on real incidents,” he said. “I think   gagement, suggesting that the film’s appeal extends
            audiences “have grown up with seeing all kinds of   it needs no justification because it is pretty much in   across demographics and geographies.
            war movies,” but described many of them as “ama-  keeping with the culture of movie making globally.”  Taken  together,  these  elements—critical  en-
            teurish” in comparison. For him, Dhurandhar: The   The director in question, Aditya Dhar, is no   dorsement,  technical  sophistication,  narrative  au-
            Revenge stands apart because of its technical polish   stranger to critical acclaim. Dhurandhar: The Re-  thenticity and commercial success—form the basis
            and narrative conviction.                     venge marks his second film after his debut, Uri:   of  the  argument  that  Dhurandhar:  The  Revenge
               “This one is really professional,” he said, empha-  The  Surgical  Strike,  which  established  him  as  a   represents a turning point. It signals an industry that
            sizing the film’s departure from earlier conventions.  filmmaker capable of blending national narratives   is increasingly confident in its ability to tell its own
            The difference, he suggested, lies not only in produc-  with cinematic intensity. With Dhurandhar, Dhar   stories with both precision and spectacle.
            tion values but also in the treatment of history and   appears to have built on that foundation, delivering   Saran’s assessment captures this moment suc-
            character. The film draws from real incidents, with   a sequel that not only expands the story but also el-  cinctly. By placing the film within a global context
            “names, people” that are “real” and “true,” lending it   evates its scale and ambition.    while acknowledging its local roots, he frames it as
            a degree of authenticity that anchors its storytelling.  The  film’s  cast  further  reinforces  its  stature.   both a culmination and a beginning: a culmination
                At  the  same  time,  Saran  acknowledged  the   Led by Ranveer Singh, the ensemble includes Ar-  of years of evolving craft, and a beginning of a new
            role of creative interpretation. He referred to the   jun Rampal, R. Madhavan, Rakesh Bedi and Sanjay   standard that others may now be measured against.
            long-standing  tradition  of  cinematic  exaggeration,  Dutt, with a cameo appearance by Yami Gautam.   If his prediction holds true, the benchmark set by
            particularly in Hollywood, where films have often   The film is a direct sequel to Dhurandhar, which   Dhurandhar: The Revenge will not be easy to surpass.

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