Filmmaker Karan Johar has showered high praise on Aditya Dhar’s Dhurandhar, calling the film so powerful that it made him reflect deeply on his own journey as a director. Known for being candid about his thoughts on cinema, Johar admitted that watching Dhurandhar left a lasting impact on him, both emotionally and creatively.
Speaking about the film, Karan Johar said he was “blown away” by the scale, storytelling, and conviction with which Dhurandhar was made. He revealed that the experience of watching the film was so overwhelming that it made him question his own abilities as a filmmaker—not out of insecurity, but out of sheer admiration for the craft on display. According to Johar, the film pushed boundaries in a way that is rare in mainstream Hindi cinema.
Johar praised director Aditya Dhar for his vision and courage, stating that Dhurandhar reflects a filmmaker who is fully in control of his storytelling. He noted that Dhar’s command over narrative, performances, and technical aspects of filmmaking was evident throughout the film. For Johar, this level of clarity and confidence is what separates a good film from a great one.
The filmmaker also spoke about how Dhurandhar balances scale with emotion. While the film is mounted on a grand canvas, Johar said it never loses sight of its emotional core. He pointed out that the characters feel rooted and real, making the audience emotionally invested even amid high-intensity moments. According to him, this balance is extremely difficult to achieve and speaks volumes about Dhar’s maturity as a director.
Karan Johar further highlighted how Dhurandhar challenges conventional storytelling patterns. He said the film does not rely on formula-driven tropes or predictable arcs, choosing instead to tell its story with honesty and restraint. This, he added, is what makes the film stand out in today’s crowded cinematic landscape.
Johar admitted that films like Dhurandhar serve as a reminder to filmmakers that cinema is constantly evolving. He said that watching such work forces directors to re-evaluate their own creative choices and ask tough questions about the stories they are telling. For him, that self-questioning is a healthy and necessary part of artistic growth.
He also praised the performances in the film, stating that the cast delivered with conviction and authenticity. Johar noted that every actor seemed deeply immersed in their character, contributing to the overall impact of the narrative. He credited Dhar for extracting such performances, calling it a sign of a director who understands both his script and his actors.
Talking about the technical aspects, Johar applauded the film’s cinematography, background score, and production design. He said these elements elevated the storytelling without overpowering it. According to him, technical brilliance works best when it serves the story, and Dhurandhar achieves that balance seamlessly.
Johar’s comments quickly caught the attention of film enthusiasts and industry insiders. Many viewed his praise as particularly significant, given his stature and experience in the industry. Fans of Dhurandhar welcomed his remarks, saying they validated what audiences had already felt about the film’s impact.
Aditya Dhar, who made a strong impression with his earlier work, has further cemented his position as one of the most exciting filmmakers of his generation with Dhurandhar. Johar’s words underscore the respect Dhar commands among his peers and highlight how the film has sparked conversations beyond box office numbers.
In conclusion, Karan Johar said that Dhurandhar reaffirmed his belief in the power of cinema to inspire and challenge creators. While the film made him question his own abilities, it also reignited his passion for storytelling. For Johar, that is the mark of truly great cinema—work that not only entertains audiences but also pushes fellow artists to aim higher.
