Sanjay Gupta says 'Dhurandhar' winning a volley of awards but not Best Film is beyond him
Mumbai, April 7
Director Sanjay Gupta can't wrap his head around 'Dhurandhar' not winning the Best Film award at a recent award ceremony.
On Tuesday, the director took to his X, formerly Twitter, and expressed his disbelief. He said how a film which bagged 14 awards couldn't win the Best Film trophy is beyond him.
He wrote, "A film winning FOURTEEN awards including Best Director not winning Best Film is beyond me".
The 'Dhurandhar', directed by Aditya Dhar and headlined by Ranveer Singh, has emerged as one of the biggest box-office juggernauts in recent Indian cinema. The response has been overwhelmingly strong across markets. The film registered high occupancy rates, multiple sold-out shows, and strong traction in dubbed versions, indicating pan-India appeal.
Culturally, the 'Dhurandhar' franchise has evolved into a mass phenomenon. Its blend of hyper-stylized action, nationalism, and star power has resonated strongly with audiences, reflecting current cinematic trends. Viral moments, music, and even off-screen incidents have amplified its reach, turning it into more than just a film, a conversation driver. However, the film has also riled up one section of the audience with many claiming it to be pro-establishment propaganda.
Meanwhile, Sanjay Gupta, who is known for unofficially remaking South Korean films in Hindi, is very vocal about his opinions. Earlier, he shared that he was disappointed with the first look of Lord Ram from the upcoming Indian epic 'Ramayana'.
A few days ago, the director took to his X, formerly Twitter, and wrote, "Obvious observation. VfX companies don't win oscars. The technicians do (sic)".
The director referred to the VFX giant DNEG, which boasts of an Oscar for Best Visual Effects for 'Dune: Part Two' at the 97th Academy Awards. DNEG is looking after the VFX of 'Ramayana', and has done a good job so far considering the assets from the film.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Awards are not just about box office numbers. Maybe another film had a better overall narrative or social impact. Dhurandhar was entertaining, no doubt, but Best Film should mean more than just mass appeal and VFX.
Fully agree with Gupta sir! The film connected with the nation's pulse. The energy, the patriotism, Ranveer's performance... it had everything. The award snub feels political. Jai Hind! 🇮🇳
Let's be honest, the awards season has become predictable. They often ignore mainstream blockbusters for more 'niche' choices. Dhurandhar brought people back to theatres, that's the biggest award from the audience.
Interesting debate. As an outsider, I see both sides. The film was a technical marvel and a cultural moment, but perhaps the "Best Film" winner resonated on a deeper, more universal human level beyond the spectacle?
Gupta is right to question this. It's like saying the best captain didn't lead the best team. Doesn't make sense. The film broke records and defined the year. Award committees need to get with the times.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.