Kunal Kohli Discusses ‘Dhurandhar’ & Industry Support

‘Dhurandhar 2’: A Record-Breaking Sequel

The audience is still captivated by the success of Dhurandhar, released in December, as its sequel, Dhurandhar 2, hits the box office with unprecedented force. Surpassing the collections of its predecessor, the sequel has made history as the first Bollywood film to exceed ₹1000 crore net in India, and it has crossed ₹1300 crore worldwide. Despite the acclaim from many Southern film celebrities, viewers are left questioning the silence from stars within the Hindi film industry.

Kunal Kohli’s Insight on Industry Skepticism

Director Kunal Kohli recently revealed that there was widespread skepticism about Dhurandhar’s potential success after its opening weekend. During a conversation with Screen, he shared, “Even when the industry doesn’t support a film, the film still works.” Kohli described how prominent directors dismissed the possibility of sustained success, predicting it would "sit" on Monday, yet it thrived instead.

He drew a parallel to Anurag Singh’s Border 2, also facing skepticism but ultimately grossing over ₹300 crore. Kohli emphatically stated, “It doesn’t matter if the industry supports you or not.”

Reflections on Hum Tum and Industry Attitudes

Revisiting his own journey, Kohli noted that the film industry’s mindset hasn’t changed much since the release of Hum Tum. He recounted how producer Aditya Chopra advised him against attending a preview screening, fearing that industry insiders wouldn’t appreciate the film. Kohli, however, chose to attend and felt disheartened by the negative feedback he received.

Despite the lukewarm reception from peers, Hum Tum, featuring Saif Ali Khan and Rani Mukerji, ultimately became a defining romantic comedy and commercial success. He recalled a pivotal moment when veteran filmmaker Rakesh Roshan congratulated him on the film’s unexpected success, saying, “Your film is houseful in the 12:30 pm show on Monday in Indore!”

The Importance of Genuine Support in the Industry

Kohli expressed gratitude for individuals like Rakesh Roshan, who reached out to congratulate him despite the past underperformance of his previous film, Mujhse Dosti Karoge!. “There are one or two out of 100 people like that, but thankfully there are those one or two,” he said.

He further questioned the sincerity of the industry’s public praise for Dhurandhar, suggesting that mutual support might not be as genuine as it appears. “There’s very little scratch my back. Because if you let someone scratch your back, they’d probably stab you in the back,” he remarked, adding a notable perspective to his observations.

Conclusion: Navigating the Complex World of Bollywood

Kunal Kohli’s reflections offer a candid look into the complexities of the Bollywood industry, where success often hinges on persistence and genuine appreciation rather than sheer support. With films like Dhurandhar 2 breaking records, it’s clear that the audience’s voice is ultimately what dictates success.