It is rare to see one of India’s most successful filmmakers admit to feeling outclassed, but that is exactly what happened this week. Karan Johar, the mastermind behind Dharma Productions, has showered effusive praise on the latest box-office juggernaut, Dhurandhar.
Speaking at the star-studded book launch of Dining With Stars by renowned critic Anupama Chopra, Johar delivered a candid confession about the film’s impact on him. While the Aditya Dhar directorial continues its historic run in the ₹700 crore club, Johar’s endorsement adds a layer of critical prestige to its commercial dominance.
Karan Johar reflected on his cinematic journey through 2025, noting how his favourites shifted as the year progressed. He revealed that while he began the year enamoured with the film Saiyaara, the release of Dhurandhar on December 5th completely reset his benchmarks.
“I was like, blown away by Dhurandhar,” Johar admitted during a panel discussion. “It makes you feel like, ‘Oh, my craft is limited.’ I started the year loving Saiyaara and ended it loving Dhurandhar.”
The filmmaker emphasized that the movie didn’t just entertain him—it challenged his perspective on what high-scale Indian cinema can achieve without losing its soul to technical vanity.
What specifically stood out to the Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani director was Aditya Dhar’s restrained yet powerful storytelling. In an era where many directors use flashy camera work to overcompensate for thin plots, Johar found Dhurandhar to be a masterclass in humility and precision.
Key highlights from Karan Johar’s analysis:
- Lack of Self-Awareness: Johar praised Dhar for not being “self-aware” or trying to “show off” his craft.
- Seamless Narrative: He noted that the story was told so fluidly that the technical brilliance never felt intrusive.
- Masterful Background Score: “Oh my god, look at the use of background music,” Johar exclaimed, highlighting the auditory experience that has become a viral talking point.
- Frame Composition: He appreciated that the director didn’t “go wide” just to show off a great frame, but kept the focus on the emotional and narrative weight of the scene.
“I felt like he wasn’t trying to show off his craft, and yet he was seamlessly telling you the story,” Johar added. “I never felt he went wide just to show you a great frame. It was beautifully shot without self-awareness.”
Perhaps the most surprising part of Johar’s critique was how the film made him feel about his own legendary career. Rather than feeling competitive, the filmmaker used the experience as an opportunity for introspection.
“It made me question my ability as a filmmaker, and that’s always a good thing for me,” he shared. “I look at that through a positive lens.” This admission resonates with fans and industry peers alike, showcasing a veteran director who is still willing to learn from the new guard of storytellers.
Johar also took a moment to mention his admiration for another recent hit, #Lokah. “I went mad when I watched Lokah,” he laughed, indicating that 2025 has been a stellar year for Indian content that pushes creative boundaries.
This isn’t the first time Karan Johar has publicly backed the film. Soon after its release, he took to his Instagram stories to share a glowing review, calling the film “outstanding.” In that note, he specifically congratulated Aditya Dhar for his vision and Ranveer Singh for what is being called a career-best performance.
The film, which features a massive ensemble including R. Madhavan, Akshaye Khanna, Sanjay Dutt, and Arjun Rampal, has managed to achieve a rare feat: winning over the “pop-culture king” Karan Johar while simultaneously smashing box-office records despite an “A” rating.
As Dhurandhar marches toward the ₹1000 crore worldwide gross mark, Johar’s comments explain why the film is resonating so deeply. It isn’t just the action; it’s the “invisible” craft—the score, the pacing, and the performances—that makes it an immersive experience.
With principal photography for #Dhurandhar2 set to begin in 2026, the industry is closely watching how this “lack of self-awareness” translates into a franchise. If Karan Johar’s reaction is any indication, the bar for Indian spy thrillers has been permanently raised.
