Tigmanshu Dhulia Calls ‘Dhurandhar’ Story‑less, Sparks Online Fury

During a recent discussion titled “The State of Media and Film Industry” organised by The Wire, veteran director Tigmanshu Dhulia pulled no punches. He said Ranveer Singh’s high‑octane Dhurandhar franchise “has no story,” reducing the whole premise to a thin‑skinned premise about an Indian agent wreaking havoc in Pakistan.

“If you ask anyone to tell you the story of Dhurandhar, you’ll end up with… a guy goes to Pakistan and creates chaos. Is that a story?” Dhulia asked, his tone mingling irony with genuine frustration. He went on to argue that such formulaic writing reflects a deeper malaise – a film culture shackled by “extreme capitalism” that pushes creators to chase a proven pattern rather than take narrative risks.

The two Dhurandhar installments, both penned and directed by Aditya Dhar, have churned out box‑office numbers and a glittering ensemble cast – Ranveer Singh as the undercover operative, supported by Akshaye Khanna, Sanjay Dutt, Arjun Rampal, R. Madhavan, Sara Arjun and others. Yet, according to Dhulia, the films stop short of delivering a cohesive plot, relying instead on action set‑pieces and patriotic fan‑service.

Unsurprisingly, Dhulia’s comments ignited a firestorm on social media. Fans rushed to his Instagram post, some defending the film’s patriotic angle, others mocking his take. One user wrote, “Tigmanshu ji, I think you didn’t even watch the movie – it’s about our patriots defending motherland on foreign soil.” Another likened the criticism to dismissing the classic Sholay, saying, “Sholay’s story is also simple, yet it works.” A few pointed out that the movies are “based on true incidents,” trying to shift the conversation from story to facts.

Beyond Dhurandhar, Dhulia used the platform to lament how “extreme capitalism” is homogenising not just cinema, but cities, fashion, even hairstyles. He illustrated this with his own hometown, noting how Allahabad (now Prayagraj) has turned into any other metropolitan landscape filled with identical malls and cars, losing its unique character.

While the debate rages, Dhulia has his own project in the pipeline. He is set to release the ZEE5 Original “Ghamasan,” starring Arshad Warsi and Pratik Gandhi, slated for a September 11 premiere. The director hopes the new film will showcase the kind of storytelling he feels is missing from today’s big‑budget franchises.

Whether one agrees with his assessment or not, Dhulia’s remarks have put a spotlight on a larger question: are Bollywood’s blockbuster formulas stifling creativity, or are they simply responding to audience demand in a highly commercial era?