Aditya Dhar’s upcoming spy thriller, Dhurandhar, featuring Ranveer Singh, made headlines as it achieved the status of the highest-grossing Hindi film domestically, only to be surpassed by its sequel, Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge, which was released last month. Both films garnered significant attention and praise on social media platforms, including from fellow industry professionals. However, Kunal Kohli, renowned for his work on films such as Hum Tum (2004) and Fanaa (2006), has suggested that many in the film industry were secretly wishing for Dhurandhar’s failure.
In a discussion with SCREEN Spotlight, Kohli noted, “Even when the industry doesn’t back a film, it can still succeed. There was no support for Dhurandhar. When I spoke to leading directors, they predicted it would struggle. Yet it managed to thrive.” He drew a parallel with Anurag Singh’s period war film, Border 2, which starred Sunny Deol and also faced similar skepticism earlier this year. “Border 2 had no support, either. Critics claimed its performance would decline in the second week, yet it grossed over Rs 300 crore! Clearly, that’s a blockbuster. The industry’s backing is irrelevant,” he stated.
Kohli reflected on how little has changed since the release of his second film, Hum Tum, over twenty years ago. “Back then, Adlabs was one of the few multiplexes, and we had a Thursday preview show. Adi (Aditya Chopra, producer) advised me against attending, as industry insiders wouldn’t appreciate the film,” he recounted.
Despite the warning, Kohli attended the preview to gauge reactions. “I went, and the feedback was overwhelmingly negative. I felt disheartened and called Adi, who reminded me that I had been warned about the audience’s taste.” He added that a significant portion of the industry seems to wish for the failure of new projects.
Ultimately, Hum Tum turned out to be a commercial triumph and a landmark romantic comedy. “It took time for the film to gain traction and acceptance. On the Monday following its release, Adi, Rani, and I were anxiously waiting for updates. Then, Rakesh Roshan called me to share that our film was completely sold out for the noon show in Indore. That’s a remarkable achievement for any film. I expressed my gratitude, and Adi was still waiting for reports, although Rakesh had already confirmed the success,” Kohli shared.
Kohli appreciated Rakesh Roshan’s gesture, especially considering that his directorial debut, Mujhse Dosti Karoge!, featuring Rakesh’s son Hrithik Roshan, did not perform well. “There are few like Rakesh who extend their support to emerging filmmakers. He could have easily congratulated more prominent figures in the industry, but he chose to reach out to me instead, which speaks volumes about his character,” Kohli reflected with a smile.
This brings up the question of whether the industry’s enthusiasm for Dhurandhar is genuine or merely a superficial display of camaraderie. Kohli commented, “There’s little genuine support in the industry. If you allow someone to help you, they might just betray you instead.” He has been outspoken about industry practices, including the controversial issue of block booking.
He added, “Criticizing practices like block booking often leads to remarks like, ‘You should make a film first and then see how it goes.’ We really need to foster a more supportive environment, but such individuals are rare, not just in cinema but in life overall.” Reflecting on the past, he still cherishes that phone call from Rakesh Roshan. “I aspire to be the person who reaches out to a new filmmaker to express my admiration for their work. While it may not change my life, it could mean the world to them, just as it did for me,” Kohli concluded.
For more updates on the film industry, you can follow Screen Digital on YouTube.
