Film maker Madhur Bhandarkar has heaped praise Ranveer SinghHis performance in Dhurandhar, saying the actor deserves a national award for his performance in the film. In a recent interview, Bhandarkar also praised the director Aditya DharDhurandhar is considered a landmark film that changed the grammar of Indian cinema.Bhandarkar revealed that he had watched the film several times and was very impressed with Ranveer’s restrained yet powerful portrayal.“After watching the second part, the way Ranveer has played the character so perfectly, I salute him. He should definitely get the National Award. There is no doubt about it. He has done brilliantly,” Bhandarkar told Shubhakar Mishra.The fashion director believes Dhurandhar has changed the industry’s approach to storytelling and filmmaking.“It will be before Dhurandhar and after Dhurandhar. This film has changed the dynamics of the industry. It has changed scriptwriting and even the grammar of filmmaking,” he stated.
“Ranveer completely surrendered to Aditya Dhar”
Bhandarkar attributed much of the film’s success to the synergy between Ranveer Singh and Aditya Dhar. According to him, the actor completely trusted the filmmaker’s vision and devoted years to the project.“One thing I want to tell you is that Ranveer Singh surrendered himself to Aditya Dhar. That is true dedication. He gave three and a half years to this film. Which actor does that today?” he saidHe further added, “Dhurandhar is 150 percent director’s film. From the first frame to the last frame, it belongs to Aditya Dhar.”The filmmaker also praised Ranveer for taking on a low key role in the first installment instead of chasing the usual hero moments.“You have to give credit to Ranveer Singh because he understood the script. Many actors would question why they were silent in the background while others were getting bigger moments. But he understood the character and trusted the narration,” explains Bhandarkar.
“Aditya Dhar has created a different Ranveer Singh”
Comparing the performance to some of Ranveer’s most famous roles, Bhandarkar said that Aditya Dhar brought out a completely new side of the actor.“I saw Ranveer Singh as Alauddin Khilji in Padmaavat and was blown away by that performance. But Aditya Dhar has taken it ten times higher. This is a completely different Ranveer Singh,” he said.Bhandarkar also highlighted several touching moments in the film, particularly praising Ranveer’s expressions and attention to detail.“The scene where he comes back scarred, the way he limps, the scene where he sees his mother and breaks down – those clips alone deserve a National Award,” he said.
‘Content is king’
Reflecting on the film’s wider impact, Bhandarkar said Dhurandhar has proved that audiences will sit through feature films if stories are told.“People don’t watch a one-minute reel these days, but they sit through a four-hour movie without taking out their phone. That tells you everything. Content is king,” he said.The filmmaker also said that the film has encouraged many production companies to rethink their projects.“From what I have heard, several production houses have put scripts on hold as they are trying to understand the new dynamics post-Dhurandhar. That is the impact this film has had,” added Bhandarkar.Calling it a “game changer”, Bhandarkar concluded that Dhurandhar has redefined audience expectations and cemented Ranveer Singh’s place among the best actors of his generation.
