Karan Johar Left ‘Blown Away’ by Dhurandhar, Calls Aditya Dhar’s Film a Reality Check for Filmmakers

By ultapaltakhabar Dec 29, 2025 0

From industry applause to box office mayhem, Dhurandhar ends the year as Bollywood’s most talked-about phenomenon—and Karan Johar’s latest reaction only fuels the frenzy.

The Dhurandhar fever is officially unstoppable. Weeks after its thunderous release, Aditya Dhar’s spy-action spectacle continues to dominate conversations across cinema halls, social media timelines, and Bollywood’s inner circles. While audiences have been pouring love on the film since day one, what truly seals Dhurandhar’s cultural moment is the kind of praise it is drawing from industry heavyweights. And now, Karan Johar has added fresh fuel to the fire with a glowing, deeply personal endorsement that’s sending fans into overdrive.

At a recent book launch event for Dining With Stars by Anupama Chopra, Karan Johar openly admitted that Dhurandhar didn’t just impress him—it shook him as a filmmaker.

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“It Made Me Question My Craft”: Karan Johar on Dhurandhar

Speaking candidly at the event, Karan Johar revealed how Dhurandhar left him “blown away,” not because of flashy filmmaking, but because of its effortless storytelling.

“I was like, blown away by Dhurandhar,” Karan said. “It makes you feel like, oh my craft is limited. Oh my god, look at the use of background music.”

What struck him the most, however, was Aditya Dhar’s restraint—something rarely seen in large-scale action cinema today.

“What I loved about Dhurandhar was that I didn’t feel that the director was self-aware. I felt like he wasn’t trying to show off his craft, and yet he was seamlessly telling you the story,” he added.

In an industry often accused of prioritising spectacle over substance, Karan’s words felt like a subtle but powerful endorsement of Dhurandhar’s old-school cinematic confidence—a film that lets its narrative and atmosphere do the heavy lifting.

A Film That Humble-Brags Without Bragging

Karan went on to explain how Dhurandhar made him introspect as a storyteller—something he sees as a positive creative jolt.

“I never felt he went wide like, ‘I am going to show you a great frame.’ I felt it was beautifully shot without self-awareness. It made me question my ability as a filmmaker, and that’s always a good thing for me.”

For someone of Karan Johar’s stature—who has shaped modern Bollywood aesthetics—to openly say a film made him reassess his own craft is no small compliment. It places Aditya Dhar firmly among directors whose work commands not just admiration, but respect.

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From Saiyaara to Dhurandhar: KJo’s Year in Cinema

Interestingly, Karan framed his cinematic year through two films that couldn’t be more different yet equally impactful.

“So I began the year loving Saiyaara and ended the year loving Dhurandhar,” he said, also giving a shoutout to Lokah, which he admitted he “went mad watching.”

This statement alone positions Dhurandhar as a year-defining film—one that doesn’t just entertain, but leaves a lasting impression on creators themselves.

Karan Johar’s Earlier Praise Still Echoes

This isn’t the first time Karan Johar has publicly praised Dhurandhar. Shortly after the film’s release, he took to Instagram Stories to call it “outstanding,” applauding Aditya Dhar’s direction and Ranveer Singh’s powerhouse performance, while congratulating the entire cast and crew.

With his latest comments, Karan has now gone a step further—articulating why the film works so profoundly, beyond box office numbers and hype.

Inside Dhurandhar: A Spy Thriller That Hit the Right Nerve

Directed by Aditya Dhar, Dhurandhar is a gritty spy-action thriller rooted in geopolitics, moral ambiguity, and raw emotion. The film follows Hamza, an Indian spy played by Ranveer Singh, who infiltrates the criminal empire of Rehman Dakait (played chillingly by Akshaye Khanna) in Pakistan’s Lyari region.

As Hamza navigates a dangerous web involving underworld syndicates and the ISI, the film unravels into a high-stakes battle of loyalty, deception, and survival.

Backing Ranveer’s intense central performance is a formidable ensemble cast including Arjun Rampal, R. Madhavan, Sanjay Dutt, Sara Arjun, Rakesh Bedi, and others—each adding weight to the film’s morally complex universe.

Box Office Tsunami: ₹1,065 Cr Worldwide and Counting

While critics have offered mixed reactions, audiences have spoken loud and clear—with their wallets.

Dhurandhar has already amassed a staggering ₹1,065 crore worldwide, firmly placing it among the highest-grossing Indian films of all time. Domestically, the film is set to cross ₹700 crore today, a milestone that further cements its blockbuster status.

Trade analysts point to strong word-of-mouth, repeat viewing, and mass appeal across urban and single-screen audiences as key reasons behind the film’s sustained run.

In a year crowded with big releases, Dhurandhar has emerged not just as a commercial winner, but as a conversation starter—a rare combination.

Why Dhurandhar Worked Where Others Didn’t

One of the biggest reasons behind Dhurandhar’s success lies in its lack of pretension. The film doesn’t spoon-feed nationalism, doesn’t glamorise violence for effect, and doesn’t over-explain its politics. Instead, it trusts its audience—something Karan Johar clearly admired.

The background score, cinematography, and pacing work quietly in service of the story, never screaming for attention. As Karan rightly observed, the film isn’t busy telling you how well-made it is—it simply is.

The Road Ahead: Dhurandhar Part 2 Already on the Radar

With the first part ending on a note that leaves audiences craving more, expectations for Dhurandhar Part 2 are sky-high. The sequel is officially scheduled to hit theatres on March 19, 2026, and if the buzz around the first installment is anything to go by, the stakes—and scale—are only going to escalate.

Fans are already speculating about deeper geopolitical layers, darker character arcs, and even bigger confrontations in the next chapter.

Also Read: https://ultapaltakhabar.com/drishyam-3-goes-full-throttle-ajay-devgn-tabu-team-head-to-goa/

Final Word: When Praise Meets Performance

When a filmmaker like Karan Johar openly admits that a film made him rethink his own creative limits, it speaks volumes about Dhurandhar’s impact. Beyond the box office records and fan frenzy, the film has achieved something rarer—it has earned the admiration of its peers.

As Dhurandhar continues its dream run and marches toward even bigger milestones, one thing is clear: Aditya Dhar’s vision and Ranveer Singh’s transformation have struck a chord that goes far beyond opening weekends.

For Bollywood, Dhurandhar isn’t just a hit—it’s a reminder that when storytelling leads and ego steps back, cinema wins.

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