"Is That Even a Story?": Tigmanshu Dhulia's Blunt Take on 'Dhurandhar'

Veteran filmmaker Tigmanshu Dhulia, known for his distinct narrative style in films like "Haasil" and "Paan Singh Tomar," recently sparked discussion in Bollywood circles after openly questioning the storytelling approach behind one of the year's biggest hits, "Dhurandhar." Directed by Aditya Dhar and starring Ranveer Singh, the film had already emerged as a major commercial success, with its sequel reportedly outperforming the original at the box office.

Praise Mixed With Pointed Criticism

Speaking at a recent public event, Dhulia was careful to acknowledge the technical merits of "Dhurandhar" before raising his core concern. "By the way, I really liked the first part of 'Dhurandhar.' It was very well presented. The music was also good," he noted. However, he followed this with a sharper critique of the film's narrative substance, asking pointedly, "But if you ask anyone to tell you the story of 'Dhurandhar,' no one will be able to tell you the story. A man goes undercover to Pakistan and wreaks havoc there. Is that even a story?"

A Broader Critique of Corporate-Driven Cinema

Dhulia's comments weren't limited to a single film. He used "Dhurandhar" as a launching point to discuss what he sees as a broader shift in mainstream Hindi cinema, one increasingly shaped by corporate culture rather than original narrative vision. "Due to corporate culture, only one type of film is being made today. Every film is a fictional biopic," he said, grouping "Dhurandhar" alongside other major commercial successes like "Pushpa" and "KGF" as examples of this pattern.

Why It Matters: A Debate Between Commercial Success and Narrative Depth

Dhulia's remarks tap into a long-standing tension within the film industry—the balance between commercially successful, spectacle-driven cinema and narrative-rich storytelling that may not always translate into blockbuster numbers. His comments raise a relevant industry question: as box-office performance increasingly dictates production decisions, is there still room for filmmakers who prioritize original, character-driven stories over proven commercial templates?

This debate carries particular weight given "Dhurandhar's" significant success, suggesting that audiences may currently be prioritizing scale, presentation, and star power over intricate storytelling—a trend that established filmmakers like Dhulia appear increasingly wary of.

Original Voices Losing Ground, Says Dhulia

Expanding on his critique, Dhulia expressed concern that filmmakers with genuine, original stories to tell are finding it harder to secure opportunities within the current industry landscape. "Today's films lack stories. Those who used to tell stories are no longer around, and those who want to tell their own stories don't get a chance. People think such films won't work. Everything is the same formula... People start looking alike," he said.

Beyond Cinema: A Cultural Observation

Interestingly, Dhulia extended his critique beyond the film industry, framing the issue as part of a larger cultural pattern driven by what he described as "extreme capitalism." He pointed to fashion trends and urban design as parallel examples, noting that individuality is increasingly eroding across multiple aspects of contemporary life: "Look at the fashion these days. Everyone looks the same. Everyone has the same haircut. Even cities have become similar. Each city has lost its distinct identity. This kind of system destroys your individuality."

Dhulia's Own Upcoming Project

While critiquing broader industry trends, Dhulia is simultaneously preparing for his own release. His upcoming film, "Ghamasan," is scheduled to premiere on ZEE5 on September 11, 2026, offering audiences a chance to assess his storytelling approach against the very industry patterns he has publicly critiqued.

Industry Takeaway

Dhulia's comments add to an ongoing, broader conversation within Bollywood about the tension between commercial viability and creative originality. As big-budget, formula-driven films continue to dominate box-office charts, voices like Dhulia's serve as a reminder of the industry's earlier era of narrative-focused filmmaking—raising the question of whether such storytelling can still find space and success in today's increasingly corporatized production landscape.