Filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma has responded to the ongoing debate about similarities between Dhurandhar and his cult gangster classic Satya. The discussion began after a video comparing scenes from the two films went viral on social media, leading to speculation that director Aditya Dhar may have drawn inspiration from Varma’s iconic film.
In a recent interview, Varma addressed the controversy, stating that influence is a natural part of filmmaking. According to him, every filmmaker is inspired by works they have previously seen. He explained that even if it was not done consciously, creative ideas often stem from earlier films and experiences.
Varma also admitted that his own movies were shaped by other cinematic influences. He revealed that his 1989 film Shiva was inspired by Return of the Dragon starring Bruce Lee, as well as Arjun featuring Sunny Deol. Similarly, he acknowledged that Satya itself carried inspiration from classic gangster films such as The Godfather and Goodfellas.
Sharing details of his conversation with Aditya Dhar, Varma said the director openly admitted that the idea for Dhurandhar was influenced by Satya and Company, but with a patriotic twist added to the storyline.
Despite the online debate, Varma has continued to support the franchise. When the trailer for Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge was released, he praised it on social media, calling it a “stratospheric level” film and describing Aditya Dhar as being “on a rampage of revenge.”
The sequel, set to release on March 19, 2026, has already generated massive buzz. Fans are speculating about deeper plotlines involving the mysterious figure “Bade Sahab” and how a RAW agent, played by Ranveer Singh, will navigate a complex web of geopolitical intrigue. Meanwhile, the first Dhurandhar film turned into a massive blockbuster, reportedly earning over ₹1,300 crore worldwide and becoming one of the highest-grossing Indian films of all time.