Mumbai, India — Veteran filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma has ignited a fresh wave of controversy in the Bollywood community with his outspoken remarks on the runaway blockbuster Dhurandhar: The Revenge (Dhurandhar 2), blending praise with pointed criticism that many in the industry are now debating.
Varma took to social platform X (formerly Twitter) over the weekend to offer a polarized take on the film’s success. On one hand, he described Dhurandhar 2 as something of a “reset button” for Indian cinema — urging filmmakers to benchmark future projects against its scale, action, and cinematography. This unusual blend of acclaim has caught the attention of fans and critics alike, as he suggested that those releasing films now “should try and match this or risk being irrelevant.”
Simultaneously, though, RGV went further by labeling parts of the film — especially the way mainstream directors chase spectacle — as a kind of “horror” for creators who have grown comfortable in formulaic modes of storytelling. His point appears to be that Dhurandhar 2 challenges old filmmaking habits and may leave conventional action cinema feeling exposed under its intense focus on adrenaline‑heavy sequences.
The filmmaker’s tweets and posts didn’t stop there: in recent statements he also critiqued broader industry practices, suggesting that reliance on outdated tropes has dulled creative edge — a sentiment echoed in remarks alongside veteran actor Paresh Rawal, who joined RGV in dissuading reliance on “over‑the‑top cinema” without substance.
However, not everyone has taken these comments at face value. Many within fan communities and X threads see Varma’s praise and critique as part of his long‑standing pattern of using hyperbole to generate buzz and spark conversation around big releases — often veering between high praise and provocative framing in the same breath. Some critics argue that this style fuels debate more than it offers constructive criticism. (fan discussions, Reddit commentary)
Adding to the broader cultural conversation, Dhurandhar 2 has also faced criticism from some political commentators for themes they allege glorify or oversimplify real‑world decisions — a separate but related discussion that stars alongside Varma’s cinematic critique in shaping public reaction.
Overall, Varma’s comments reflect not just his personal view of the movie’s impact, but highlight an ongoing industry debate on the evolution of Indian cinema, where big‑budget spectacles continue to push boundaries while sparking questions about artistic direction, audience expectations, and the future of mainstream storytelling in Bollywood.
