“Aditya Dhar Praises Ram Gopal Varma for Paving the Way for ‘Dhurandhar’”

“Dhurandhar Could Run Because You Walked”: Aditya Dhar Credits Ram Gopal Varma for Film’s Success

Aditya Dhar’s Dhurandhar has been storming the box office since its release, and the filmmaker recently credited legendary director Ram Gopal Varma (RGV) for inspiring the film’s fearless storytelling.

RGV had posted,

“It sounds nice that I INSPIRED all these great directors to become GREAT, but when will I, the INSPIRER, become GREAT?”

Responding warmly, Dhar wrote:

“Ramu sir, you took the risks when it was hardest. At a time with no templates, no safety nets, and no guarantees, Dhurandhar could run because you walked first. Some paths don’t end with applause—they end in creating a legacy.”

Dhar also reflected on his journey to Mumbai and how RGV shaped his cinematic vision:

“I came to Mumbai years ago with one suitcase, one dream, and the hope of working under Ram Gopal Varma. That never happened, but somewhere along the way, I worked inside your cinema. Your films didn’t teach me how to make movies—they taught me to think dangerously. You made Indian cinema fearless, impolite, and alive. If Dhurandhar carries even a fraction of that DNA, it’s because your films whispered—and sometimes screamed—in my head while I was writing and directing it.”

About Dhurandhar

Written and directed by Aditya Dhar, Dhurandhar is inspired by real-life geopolitical conflicts and covert R&AW operations, particularly Operation Lyari, a crackdown on criminal syndicates in Karachi’s Lyari region.

The film stars Ranveer Singh and Akshaye Khanna, with Sanjay Dutt, R. Madhavan, Arjun Rampal, and Sara Arjun in key roles.

Praised for its performances, direction, cinematography, music, and tense atmosphere, the first part of this two-part series has struck a chord with audiences and critics alike. The sequel, Dhurandhar Part 2, is scheduled to release on 19 March 2026.