Madhavan speaks out on Dhurandhar’s early backlash
R. Madhavan has candidly addressed the wave of criticism that greeted Dhurandhar even before it hit theatres. In a conversation with Esquire India, he praised director Aditya Dhar for the film’s research and fearless storytelling, and said he expected a strong reaction.
“When I heard Dhurandhar and saw the immaculate research that had been done by Aditya Dhar, the fearlessness of the man, the uniqueness of his storytelling—these were the signs I got before the release,” Madhavan said. He added that some will initially rate it poorly and later be surprised by its impact.
On negativity, agendas and the emotional toll
Madhavan did not hold back about pre-release negativity. He noted that obituaries for the film were written and that some critics called it a disaster upon release, questioning whether there was an agenda behind such responses.
He also urged critics to remember the people behind films. “We are a very lonely family, and it is our job, no matter how much you like or hate a product or a person. Don’t take a jibe at the industry like an outsider. We have enough of them already,” he said, pointing to the emotional toll harsh commentary can take on artists and crew.
The film, cast and its real-world inspiration
Dhurandhar, released on December 5, 2025, is the first part of a two-part series written, directed and co-produced by Aditya Dhar under Jio Studios and B62 Studios. The ensemble cast includes:
- Ranveer Singh
- Akshaye Khanna
- R. Madhavan
- Arjun Rampal
- Sanjay Dutt
- Sara Arjun
- Rakesh Bedi
The film draws on real-life geopolitical tensions and covert R&AW operations, and has been praised for its gripping narrative and high-octane action sequences.
Runtime debate and box-office momentum
At a running time of 3 hours 34 minutes, Dhurandhar prompted discussion about length — but trade experts point out that if a film is engaging, length isn’t a problem, citing hits like Animal and Pushpa 2. The movie is performing well at the box office and continuing to generate conversation for both its scale and the discourse around it.
Madhavan’s comments underline how modern releases navigate passionate audiences, pre-release chatter and the realities of filmmaking — and why a single film can spark debates far beyond the screen.
