Sanjay Gupta has opened up about the massive risk behind Aditya Dhar’s Dhurandhar. Speaking on the InControversial Podcast, Gupta said that for four years, no one in the industry was ready to back the film. The reasons: a Rs 300 crore budget and Ranveer Singh’s all-time career low phase.
Gupta explained that even though Dhar had delivered a hit with Uri, the scale of Dhurandhar made it a hard sell. “Nobody in their right mind would put that kind of money on a director with just one film and an actor going through a low phase,” he said.
How Ranveer Singh and the Ambanis changed everything
The turning point came when Ranveer Singh heard the script and loved it. Soon after, the Ambanis came on board with Jio Studios backing the project. Gupta called this support “extremely important” – it gave the film the faith and finances it needed.
Without Ranveer’s belief and the Ambanis’ backing, Gupta suggests Dhurandhar may never have been made.
A two-part film that set a new benchmark
Gupta praised Aditya Dhar’s decision to split the story into two parts without losing cinematic flow. “The way they contained it and structured it is fantastic,” he said.
He also revealed a stunning detail: Dhar shot for 150 days and ended up with an eight-hour film. Gupta called it “incredible” and said Dhar has set a completely new benchmark for Bollywood.
From struggle to global phenomenon
As history now shows, Dhurandhar became a global sensation. Both parts together reportedly crossed Rs 3,000 crore worldwide. The film’s journey – from being rejected by the industry to becoming a record-breaking hit – is now part of Bollywood lore.
Sanjay Gupta’s podcast comments bring full circle the struggle, the gamble, and the ultimate victory of Aditya Dhar and Ranveer Singh.
