Filmmaker Karan Johar has once again praised Aditya Dhar’s spy action thriller Dhurandhar, saying the film left a deep impact on him and even made him reflect on his own craft. As the film continues to dominate the box office and public conversation, appreciation from industry insiders has further added to its success.
Speaking at the book launch of Dining With Stars by Anupama Chopra, Karan shared how strongly Dhurandhar affected him as a filmmaker. “I was blown away by Dhurandhar. It makes you feel like, oh my craft is limited. Oh my god, look at the use of background music. What I loved about Dhurandhar was that I didn’t feel the director was self-aware. He wasn’t trying to show off his craft, and yet he was seamlessly telling the story,” he said.
Karan further explained that the film’s restrained yet powerful direction stood out to him. He noted that the visuals never felt forced or indulgent, which made the storytelling more impactful. “It made me question my ability as a filmmaker, and that’s always a good thing. I see that through a positive lens,” he added.
The filmmaker also reflected on his cinematic journey through the year, saying he began the year loving Saiyaara and ended it loving Dhurandhar. He also mentioned admiring Lokah, admitting he was overwhelmed after watching it.
Earlier, soon after Dhurandhar released, Karan Johar had shared a glowing review on social media, calling the film outstanding and praising both director Aditya Dhar and lead actor Ranveer Singh, along with the entire cast and crew.
Directed by Aditya Dhar, Dhurandhar stars Ranveer Singh as Hamza, an Indian spy who infiltrates the gang of Rehman Dakait, played by Akshaye Khanna, in Pakistan’s Lyari to gather intelligence on their links with the ISI. The film also features Arjun Rampal, R Madhavan and Sanjay Dutt in key roles.
Despite receiving mixed critical reviews, Dhurandhar has emerged as a massive box office success, collecting over ₹1,065 crore worldwide and nearing ₹700 crore domestically. A sequel, Dhurandhar Part 2, is slated for release on March 19, 2026.