Filmmaker and actor Tigmanshu Dhulia has sparked widespread debate across the Indian entertainment landscape by launching a sharp critique against the storytelling in Aditya Dhar's blockbuster espionage franchise, *Dhurandhar*, starring Ranveer Singh. Speaking at a session on 'The State of Media and Film Industry' organised by The Wire and the Editors Guild of India, Dhulia bluntly asserted that the action-heavy narrative does not qualify as a genuine story, pointing to what he perceives as a dangerous industry-wide retreat into predictable commercial templates.
Dhulia's remarks focused directly on the core premise of the Ranveer Singh-led action thrillers, which follow an undercover Indian operative operating inside Pakistan. While acknowledging the financial footprints of contemporary blockbusters, the director argued that commercial pressures have squeezed out substantive writing and originality from mainstream Hindi cinema, leaving audiences with repetitive formulas rather than complex narratives.
Challenging the Plot of Dhurandhar
Elaborating on his assessment during the panel discussion, Dhulia questioned whether the fundamental structure of the Aditya Dhar directorial holds up as a narrative arc. He argued that the plot relies entirely on broad action tropes rather than character-driven storytelling or structural depth.
"If someone asks you about the story of Dhurandhar, you can't tell it. There is a guy who goes to Pakistan aur vaha tabahi macha deta hai. Is this a story? The stories are finished in films. Also, those who tell the stories are also finished and those who want to tell stories aren't allowed to do so. They think that their films won't work. They follow the same pattern," Dhulia stated during the event. The franchise features an extensive ensemble cast alongside Singh, including Akshaye Khanna, Sanjay Dutt, Arjun Rampal, R. Madhavan, Sara Arjun, Rakesh Bedi, Gaurav Gera, and Danish Pandor.
Blaming Extreme Capitalism for Creative Homogeneity
Dhulia expanded his critique beyond the boundaries of Bollywood, arguing that the creative stagnation he observes is a direct symptom of broader economic forces. He linked the replication of successful formulas in cinema to what he described as "extreme capitalism," which he claims sterilizes individuality across various facets of modern life.
According to the filmmaker, the pressure to conform to safe commercial models influences not only script greenlighting but also societal aesthetics, fashion choices, and urban development. "This happens during extreme capitalism, people also start looking like each other. You see the fashion these days, everybody looks the same. They all have the same haircut. Even cities are looking identical to each other. The unique character of every city is finished," Dhulia remarked, citing changes to his hometown of Allahabad, which was officially renamed Prayagraj, as an example of urban homogenization characterized by identical malls and vehicles.
Fan Backlash and Social Media Defense
The filmmaker's provocative commentary immediately triggered sharp reactions across social media platforms, with numerous fans and cinema enthusiasts defending the action franchise on X and Instagram. Commentators pushed back against Dhulia's dismissal, with several pointing out that the narrative is rooted in real-world patriotism and covert national security operations.
One social media user wrote in response, "Tigmanshu ji, I believe you did not watch the movie.. it’s about our patriots in play on a foreign soil defending their mother land .. my heart thumps with joy hearing stories about them." Other users defended the film by drawing comparisons to classic Bollywood milestones, while critics labeled his remarks as a bitter critique born out of professional jealousy.
Focus Shifts to Upcoming Directorial Ghamasaan
Amidst the ongoing debate surrounding mainstream commercial templates, Dhulia is currently shifting his focus toward the promotional rollout of his own directorial venture, *Ghamasaan*. The upcoming project is scheduled to premiere directly on the streaming platform ZEE5 on September 11.
*Ghamasaan* stars Pratik Gandhi and Arshad Warsi, with the latter portraying a feared dacoit leader named Maharaj, while Gandhi plays an STF officer named Aditya tasked with his capture. The narrative is set against the rugged terrain of Bundelkhand and explores deep-rooted political corruption, marking Dhulia's return to gritty regional crime storytelling following a two-year delay in the film's release schedule.
