5 min learnNew DelhiSep 8, 2026 04:09 PM IST
Director Tigmanshu Dhulia has criticised the storytelling in movies like Ranveer Singh’s Dhurandhar, arguing that Hindi cinema is more and more shedding its deal with authentic tales. Talking at an occasion, Dhulia cited Dhurandhar for instance of what he sees because the decline of storytelling in mainstream Hindi cinema. Whereas he praised the movie’s presentation and leisure worth, he argued that its plot might be lowered to a really fundamental premise.
Tigmanshu Dhulia on Dhurandhar: ‘Is {that a} story?’
At an occasion organised by The Wire on ‘The State of Media and Movie Trade’, Dhulia mentioned how company tradition has influenced the type of movies being made at present. He named industrial hits similar to Pushpa, KGF and Dhurandhar, arguing that many mainstream movies now comply with related templates and described them as “fictional biopics”.
“As a result of it’s a company tradition, the identical type of movies are being made. Each movie is a biopic, a fictional biopic. Each movie, you’ll be able to watch Pushpa, you’ll be able to watch KGF, Dhurandhar. I’m speaking about industrial mainstream cinema,” he mentioned.
Dhulia then turned his consideration to Dhurandhar, making it clear that his criticism was not concerning the movie’s execution. He mentioned he loved the primary instalment and praised its presentation, music and skill to maintain audiences engaged.
“If I ask you to inform me the story of Dhurandhar, I favored that movie by the best way, the primary half. Very nicely offered, very participating, good use of music.”
Dhulia questioned whether or not the movie’s story might be defined past its fundamental premise.
“However in the event you ask somebody to let you know its story, you gained’t have the ability to inform the story of Dhurandhar. There’s a man, he’s a canopy spy, he goes to Pakistan and wreaks havoc there. Is {that a} story? Tales have disappeared from movies.”
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In line with him, filmmakers with unconventional concepts are sometimes discouraged from pursuing them due to considerations about whether or not such movies will discover an viewers.
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“For one, the individuals who inform tales have disappeared, and people who wish to inform them should not allowed to make them. They don’t seem to be allowed to inform these tales as a result of they assume, ‘This story gained’t work.’ There is just one template.”
Dhulia attributed this rising uniformity to what he described as the consequences of maximum capitalism. He argued that the lack of individuality is seen not solely in cinema but additionally in on a regular basis life, with folks and cities more and more starting to look alike.
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“That is what excessive capitalism does; folks additionally begin wanting the identical. Go wherever, everyone appears the identical. Each metropolis has began wanting the identical. The character of each metropolis has disappeared.”
The filmmaker then gave the instance of his hometown Allahabad, saying the town has misplaced among the distinct id it as soon as had.
🎬 Tigmanshu Dhulia on Dhurandhar
Praises its presentation & music however questions its depth: “An undercover spy goes to Pakistan and causes havoc… is that actually a narrative?” 🤔
He says company strain is killing authentic storytelling. Do you agree? 👇#TigmanshuDhulia pic.twitter.com/XsAFKrzHzs
— Tilu Badmosh 12 (@tilubadmosh12) September 8, 2026
“My metropolis, Allahabad, which was as soon as an attractive metropolis, now appears like some other metropolis. The identical malls, the identical automobiles, the whole lot is similar. This type of political system kills individuality.”
About Dhurandhar
The Dhurandhar movies comply with Ranveer Singh’s character, an undercover Indian intelligence operative who enters Pakistan and infiltrates Karachi’s felony and political networks. His mission is linked to dismantling a terror community concentrating on India.
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The franchise options a big ensemble forged, together with Akshaye Khanna, Sanjay Dutt, Arjun Rampal, R. Madhavan and Sara Arjun, together with Rakesh Bedi, Gaurav Gera and Danish Pandor. Each movies have been written and directed by Aditya Dhar.
The 2 films have collectively earned greater than Rs 3,000 crore on the worldwide field workplace, making Dhurandhar one among Bollywood’s most profitable movie franchises.
Who’s Tigmanshu Dhulia?
Tigmanshu Dhulia is a Nationwide Award-winning filmmaker and actor finest recognized for steering Haasil and Paan Singh Tomar, which starred his frequent collaborator, the late Irrfan Khan.
Dhulia is presently awaiting the discharge of Ghamasaan, his upcoming ZEE5 Unique starring Arshad Warsi and Pratik Gandhi. The movie is scheduled to premiere on ZEE5 on September 11.
