Filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma (RGV) has added a provocative layer to the upcoming March 19 box office clash between Ranveer Singh’s Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge and Yash’s Toxic: A Fairytale for Grown-Ups. In a characteristically blunt social media post on February 22, 2026, RGV claimed the battle isn’t about “North vs South,” but rather a fundamental difference in how directors view their audience.
The “Dumb vs Intelligent” Argument
RGV argued that the two films represent a “brutal clash of cinematic cultures.” He lauded Aditya Dhar (Director of Dhurandhar) for respecting the audience’s intellect, while sharply criticizing the approach of the Yash-starrer:
- On Dhurandhar 2: He described it as cinema that “respects the audience’s intelligence.” He credited the first film’s success to its “ultra-realistic” grounded action and complex narrative, proving that mass audiences are smarter than “masala merchants” think.
- On Toxic: RGV claimed the film “presumes the audience’s dumbness.” He compared it to the KGF franchise, which he alleged aimed at the “naivety of the masses” through “gravity-defying stunts that mock physics” and “background scores that scream ‘clap and whistle now, you idiots’.”
“Dhuroxic” Comparison: Style vs. Substance
RGV broke down the clash (which he dubbed #Dhuroxic) into several contrasting points:
| Aspect | Dhurandhar 2 (The “David”) | Toxic (The “Goliath”) |
| Heroism | Heroes discovered through “moral actions.” | “Mindless hero worship” and God-like invincibility. |
| Action | Raw, real, and “one can actually feel the punches.” | Stunts that “insult every school kid who studied Newton.” |
| Atmosphere | “Dead silence” that highlights performances. | “Ear-shattering background music” to spoon-feed cues. |
| Budget | Money “put to use” on lethal, immersive emotions. | Money “poured” on VFX fireworks and eyesore sets. |
The “Beginning of the End”?
The filmmaker speculated that March 19 could be a “Judgement Day” for Indian cinema. He suggested that if Dhurandhar 2 prevails, it could mark the end of the “invincible masculinity” and “hero worship” era ushered in by recent pan-India blockbusters.+1
“I am waiting with bated breath… to know if India is Dhurandhar or Toxic,” RGV concluded.
About the Clash
Both films are set to release on March 19, 2026, coinciding with the Eid weekend.
- Dhurandhar 2: Pick up from the 2025 blockbuster, featuring Ranveer Singh as spy Hamza on a mission in Pakistan. It also stars Sanjay Dutt, R. Madhavan, and Arjun Rampal.
- Toxic: A period gangster drama directed by Geetu Mohandas, marking Yash’s big-screen return after KGF 2. It features an ensemble cast including Kiara Advani, Nayanthara, and Huma Qureshi.