A month after its grand theatrical debut, the Aditya Dhar-directed cinematic spectacle 'Dhurandhar' continues its monumental box office run, having now amassed a staggering net collection of over Rs 760 crore within India. The film, featuring an ensemble cast led by Ranveer Singh with pivotal roles played by Akshaye Khanna, Sanjay Dutt, R Madhavan, and Arjun Rampal, has cemented its place as a commercial juggernaut.
Beyond the Spotlight: A Co-Star's Perspective
While the film's success is undisputed, the conversation around performances has taken an interesting turn. In a recent candid interview, actor Naveen Kaushik, who portrays Rahman Dakait's trusted aide in the film, expressed his belief that the acclaim has been somewhat one-sided. He argued that while Akshaye Khanna's powerful portrayal of Rahman Dakait and his entry song rightly "broke the internet," Ranveer Singh's critically nuanced performance has been unfairly sidelined.
Naveen elaborated on the immense challenge Ranveer faced, stating the actor had to consciously "contain his natural energy and deliver an extremely subtle, monotone performance throughout the film." He contrasted this with Akshaye Khanna's off-screen demeanor, which he found similar to his enigmatic character. "If we went up to him for a conversation, he would speak very warmly. But once it ended, he would retreat into his space," Naveen described, clarifying the actor was never cold, just intensely focused.
The Stark Contrast: Ranveer Singh vs. Hamza
Highlighting the chasm between the star and his role, Naveen painted a vivid picture of Ranveer on set. "Hamza is completely different from Ranveer. Ranveer is a ball of energy—a thousand-volt electric current," he said, noting the actor's habit of greeting everyone and disliking lethargy on set. He emphasized that after every 'cut', unless in a deeply serious scene, Ranveer would instantly revert to his vibrant self, displaying a child-like curiosity without any starry tantrums.
Naveen also observed a significant shift in Ranveer's approach compared to earlier intense roles like in 'Padmaavat'. "This time, it felt like he had an internal switch; he could move from Hamza to Ranveer in a click. He has incredible energy to play such varied characters. No one can match that," he remarked.
A Deliberate Underplay and Professional Camaraderie
Pointing to a specific example, Naveen cited the popular 'FA9LA' song sequence. "Everyone in the scene is dancing, except Ranveer Singh. To restrain yourself in a moment like that is incredibly hard," he explained. He believes this subtlety was overshadowed by Akshaye's commanding aura. Naveen praised Ranveer's lack of ego, noting that an insecure actor might have tried to draw focus, but Ranveer stayed true to his underplayed character, allowing others to shine.
On their off-screen dynamic, Naveen described a relationship built on mutual respect and collaboration. "Ranveer and Akshaye shared a very cordial relationship on set," he shared. "They rehearsed together, looked out for each other... They were great collaborators."
In conclusion, while fully acknowledging the iconic status of Akshaye Khanna's Rahman Dakait, Naveen Kaushik made a compelling case for a re-evaluation of Ranveer Singh's work in 'Dhurandhar'. He believes the actor's mastery in voice modulation, subtlety, and the difficult task of suppressing his real-life exuberance to portray the stoic Hamza deserves far greater recognition in the film's overwhelming success story.
