Ram Gopal Varma Ignites Debate on Indian Action Hero Evolution
Renowned filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma has once again ignited a fiery discussion within the Indian film industry, drawing a stark contrast between what he describes as the "human" vulnerability showcased in 'Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge' and the "expressionless" superheroism prevalent in high-octane, big-budget spectacles. While RGV carefully avoided directly naming the Hrithik Roshan and Jr. NTR starrer 'War 2', his pointed critique of "templated pan-India heroes" who seemingly do not feel pain has resonated widely, sparking a massive conversation about the future trajectory of the Indian action hero archetype.
Praising Nuanced Characters in 'Dhurandhar 2'
In a revealing interview with Faridoon Shahryar, Ram Gopal Varma elaborated on his admiration for Aditya Dhar's directorial approach in 'Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge'. He specifically praised the portrayal of Ranveer Singh's character, Hamza (also known as Jaskirat), noting that despite being the protagonist, the character commits numerous morally ambiguous actions.
"If you analyze it, Hamza has perpetrated as many wrongful deeds as the so-called antagonists in the film," Varma stated. "The narrative often pushes the perspective of 'We are Indians, and they are Pakistanis.' However, if we view everyone simply as human beings, they are all individuals tragically caught in a difficult situation." He commended Aditya Dhar for skillfully presenting the lead character's multiple shades and complex humanity, treating all characters with a sense of dignity and realism that avoids artificial glorification.
Critiquing the 'Expressionless' Superhero Template
Shifting his focus, Varma then addressed a contrasting trend in contemporary Indian cinema, alluding to a major big-budget film featuring two major stars—a description netizens quickly connected to the upcoming 'War 2' from the YRF Spy Universe.
"In recent times, without naming the specific film, there is a big-budget movie where two colossal stars are engaged in combat, and I observe absolutely no expressions on their faces," Varma critiqued. "One character delivers a punch, but there is no visible impact because they are portrayed as heroes; they are essentially supermen. They are not designed to experience pain like any ordinary human being would, perhaps to safeguard their star image for their fanbase or due to other commercial considerations."
He contrasted this with a powerful fight sequence in 'Dhurandhar 2' between Ranveer Singh and Arjun Rampal. "When Major Iqbal stabs Hamza towards the climax, I have never witnessed pain portrayed with such raw authenticity as I did on Ranveer Singh's face. The last glimpse of that level of realism I recall was Leonardo DiCaprio in 'Body of Lies'," Varma added, emphasizing the emotional depth achievable in action cinema.
RGV's Vision for the Modern Indian Hero
Elaborating on his philosophy, Ram Gopal Varma argued that a character who can "bleed, feel genuine pain, and even cry" possesses the potential to become a far more impactful and relatable hero than the standardized, "templated pan-India heroes" commonly seen today.
He criticized the repetitive plots often associated with such larger-than-life characters. "The storyline is frequently a very templated one: a hero working relentlessly towards a lofty, nationalistic purpose, sacrificing everything. Numerous films following this exact blueprint are being produced," Varma observed. He asserted that Aditya Dhar's work stands out because it forgoes artificial buildup, presenting characters with gray moral areas who feel authentic and, consequently, "larger than life" through their very humanity.
Background on 'Dhurandhar: The Revenge' and RGV's Admiration
Directed by Aditya Dhar, 'Dhurandhar: The Revenge' has emerged as a monumental box office success, having crossed an impressive Rs 530 crore in India to date. The espionage thriller, featuring a stellar cast including Ranveer Singh, Arjun Rampal, R Madhavan, Sanjay Dutt, Rakesh Bedi, and Sara Arjun, offers a relentless rollercoaster of emotions and includes a notable post-credits scene. It was released in theaters on March 19, 2026.
Ram Gopal Varma's recent commentary is part of a sustained 'Dhurandhar 2' appreciation campaign. The filmmaker has consistently posted online about his profound admiration for Aditya Dhar's narrative style. His esteem is so significant that in a recent social media post, he announced his next film, titled Syndicate, and dedicated it to his "new Guru" Aditya Dhar, signaling a deep respect for the director's craft and storytelling philosophy.
