Suniel Shetty Expresses Desire to Have Been Part of Blockbuster 'Dhurandhar'
Aditya Dhar's cinematic spectacle 'Dhurandhar' achieved monumental success at the box office following its release in December last year. As anticipation builds for its sequel, veteran actor Suniel Shetty has openly shared his regret about not being involved in the franchise, revealing he wished he could have been part of the film.
Shetty's Missed Opportunity with Aditya Dhar's Vision
In a candid interview with Lehren Retro, Suniel Shetty disclosed that he was originally slated to appear in Aditya Dhar's ambitious project 'The Immortal Ashwatthama'. He explained, "I was to play a role in Aditya’s Ashwatthama. So it got shelved, signing ho gaya, sab kuch ho gaya. So maine jab 'Dhurandhar' dekhi, I said, 'I wish I could be a part of it.'" This translates to his deep-seated desire to join the cast after witnessing the film's impact.
Praising Ranveer Singh's Performance Over Akshaye Khanna's
During the same conversation, Shetty made a striking comparison between two powerhouse performers. While many critics and audiences hailed Akshaye Khanna's portrayal as exceptional, Shetty asserted that Aditya Dhar and Ranveer Singh delivered even more impressive work. He elaborated, "Everyone thought Akshaye Khanna was excellent, but I felt Aditya Dhar and Ranveer Singh were even better."
The actor further analyzed why Khanna's character resonated so strongly, attributing it to the cinematic treatment. Shetty noted that Khanna benefited from a larger-than-life presentation, complete with dramatic background music, which amplified his performance. In contrast, he highlighted Ranveer Singh's raw talent, stating, "Ranveer, on the other hand, has none of that, yet he still shines. How? He built the character himself—through his physical structure, his look, and especially through his eyes."
Applauding Aditya Dhar's Bold Directorial Choices
Suniel Shetty also commended filmmaker Aditya Dhar for his audacious approach in an era of dwindling audience attention spans. Despite trends favoring shorter content, Dhar crafted 'Dhurandhar' as a three-hour and forty-minute epic. Shetty praised this decision, explaining that Dhar understood the post-pandemic shift in viewer habits, where binge-watching has become commonplace.
He quoted Dhar's philosophy, "So he (Aditya) essentially said, 'If you’re watching a web series, watch it on the big screen—I’ll give you a better experience.' And he gave that experience! But that’s the conviction of a director. And he is brilliant the way he thinks." This insight underscores Dhar's innovative mindset in adapting to contemporary entertainment consumption patterns.
The Shelved 'Ashwatthama' Project and Its Legacy
The discussion naturally led to 'The Immortal Ashwatthama', a highly anticipated film that was ultimately shelved. Originally announced in 2020 with Vicky Kaushal in the lead role, the project generated significant buzz before being put on hold. In 2024, during the trailer launch of 'Article 370', Aditya Dhar revealed that the mythological superhero actioner was "too big" for Indian cinema at the time.
Dhar elaborated on the challenges, stating, "The kind of VFX quality we were looking at, nobody has even strived for it here." This admission highlights the ambitious scope of the project and the technical hurdles that contributed to its postponement, leaving fans and industry insiders like Suniel Shetty reflecting on what could have been.
Suniel Shetty's revelations offer a fascinating glimpse into the behind-the-scenes dynamics of Bollywood, showcasing his admiration for contemporary talent and the visionary work of directors like Aditya Dhar. As 'Dhurandhar' continues to dominate conversations, these insights add depth to the ongoing narrative of India's evolving cinematic landscape.
