Tigmanshu Dhulia Faces Backlash After Criticising Ranveer Singh’s Dhurandhar: Fans Hit Back

Ranveer Singh’s Dhurandhar has once again become the centre of a heated discussion, but this time the debate is not about its box-office performance or star cast. Filmmaker and actor Tigmanshu Dhulia has questioned the film’s storytelling, triggering a strong reaction from fans on social media.

Dhulia, known for films such as Paan Singh Tomar, made the comments while discussing the current state of the Indian film industry and the growing dependence on familiar commercial formulas. His remarks about Dhurandhar quickly became a talking point, with several fans accusing the filmmaker of being jealous of the franchise’s success.

Tigmanshu Dhulia Questions the Story of Dhurandhar

During an event organised by the Editors Guild of India, Tigmanshu Dhulia spoke about the changing nature of mainstream cinema. While discussing the lack of original stories, he brought up films including Dhurandhar, KGF and the Pushpa franchise.

Interestingly, Dhulia clarified that he actually liked the first instalment of Dhurandhar. He praised the film’s presentation, engaging elements and music before turning his attention to what he considered its biggest weakness — the story.

According to Dhulia, if someone were asked to explain the story of Dhurandhar, they would struggle to describe it beyond its basic premise. He questioned whether the storyline of an undercover man entering Pakistan and creating havoc there could be considered a complete story.

His criticism was therefore not simply about the film’s technical execution. Instead, he used Dhurandhar as an example while making a broader argument about storytelling in commercial Indian cinema.

Filmmaker Blames Changing Industry Trends

Dhulia also expressed concern that the Hindi film industry is increasingly relying on similar templates rather than encouraging distinctive stories.

He argued that filmmakers with original ideas are finding it difficult to get opportunities because the industry is often more comfortable with established formulas that are considered commercially safe.

He connected this trend to what he described as “extreme capitalism”, suggesting that excessive commercialisation can eventually make different forms of art and entertainment look increasingly similar.

For Dhulia, the issue extends beyond cinema. He compared the similarity between modern films with the way fashion and cities are becoming increasingly uniform, arguing that individuality can disappear when everything follows the same successful model.

Dhurandhar Fans Strongly React

Dhulia’s comments did not go down well with a section of Dhurandhar fans. Social media users began criticising the filmmaker after his remarks circulated online.

Some fans argued that the franchise has raised the standard for large-scale Indian cinema and questioned why its success should be dismissed simply because its storytelling follows a commercial format.

Others went further, accusing Dhulia of jealousy and suggesting that his comments were motivated by the success achieved by Dhurandhar. The criticism became intense enough for the filmmaker to face significant trolling online.

However, the reaction also highlights a larger debate among moviegoers: whether a successful commercial film should primarily be judged by the complexity of its story or by the overall cinematic experience it delivers.

Dhurandhar Continues to Spark Debate

The controversy demonstrates just how strongly Dhurandhar has connected with its audience. Even criticism from within the film industry has generated significant discussion among fans.

At the same time, Dhulia's comments raise an interesting question about the direction of mainstream Indian cinema. Big-budget films increasingly combine established stars, large-scale action, familiar genres and visually ambitious filmmaking. While these elements can produce major theatrical successes, filmmakers such as Dhulia continue to argue that originality and strong storytelling should remain at the heart of cinema.

For audiences, the disagreement ultimately comes down to personal expectations. Some viewers may value spectacle, action and presentation, while others look for layered characters and a more intricate narrative.

The Debate Is Bigger Than One Film

Dhulia’s remarks may have been directed at Dhurandhar, but his larger criticism concerns the industry's dependence on successful formulas. His reference to films such as KGF and Pushpa suggests that he sees the trend as something much broader than a single franchise.

Whether viewers agree with him or not, the controversy has brought the conversation about originality in Indian cinema back into the spotlight.

For now, Dhurandhar remains a film capable of provoking strong reactions on both sides. Its fans have firmly defended the franchise, while Dhulia has stood by his broader concern about the lack of fresh storytelling in mainstream cinema. The clash between those two viewpoints is likely to keep the debate alive among movie lovers and industry watchers.