Ameesha Patel calls Dhurandhar 2 an eye opener; urges industry to 'make films, not projects': 'Aditya Dhar cast actors, not Instagrammars'

Amid the roaring success of Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge, it is Ameesha Patel who has set off a parallel debate in the industry. The actor’s sharp critique of casting trends has struck a chord, shifting part of the spotlight from box-office numbers to Bollywood’s evolving priorities.Reacting to the widespread praise for Aditya Dhar’s directorial, she wrote on X, “Eye opener 👌 Industry Praising DHURANDHAR is wow... industry needs to realise that ADITYA made a film and not a project, casted actors and not instagrammars who trend at parties 👍 stop making projects and start making films.” Her comment, widely seen as a dig at influencer-led casting, has resonated with a section of the audience that continues to advocate for performance-driven cinema over social media popularity.Meanwhile, Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge, headlined by Ranveer Singh, has emerged as one of the biggest box-office juggernauts in recent times. The film has recorded high occupancy, multiple sold-out shows, and strong traction in dubbed versions — underlining its pan-India appeal.The film’s scale and performances have found admirers across industries, with names like Allu Arjun, Mahesh Babu, Jr NTR, SS Rajamouli, Ayushmann Khurrana, Anupam Kher and Ram Gopal Varma among those applauding the spectacle-driven narrative.Beyond the numbers, the Dhurandhar franchise has evolved into a cultural phenomenon. Its mix of hyper-stylized action, nationalism, and star power has struck a strong chord with audiences, while viral moments, music, and off-screen buzz have amplified its reach.However, the film has also sparked criticism, with a section of viewers calling it pro-establishment propaganda — adding to the discourse surrounding its impact. In the middle of this, praise from Tamil superstar Rajinikanth has emerged as a defining moment for the team.Taking to X, the veteran actor wrote, “What a film #Dhurandhar2‌. Aditya Dhar, box office, ka baap. Many congratulations to Ranveer and the entire cast and crew. A must watch film for every Indian. Jai Hind.” Responding to the same, Aditya Dhar called it a “superstar moment,” saying, “Sir, we’ve all grown up measuring ‘entertainment’ with just one benchmark, YOU... So for you to call ‘Dhurandhar 2’ a ‘must watch’ feels like the biggest ‘superstar’ moment of my life.”