Dhurandhar’s impact continues to ripple across the film industry, and now Karan Johar has added his voice to the growing chorus of praise. The filmmaker recently named Aditya Dhar’s spy thriller as one of his favourite films of 2025, admitting that the Ranveer Singh–led blockbuster left him genuinely shaken — in the best possible way.
The film, which also stars Akshaye Khanna, R Madhavan, Arjun Rampal, and Sanjay Dutt, has already crossed ₹700 crore at the Indian box office and over ₹1,000 crore worldwide, firmly cementing its place as the year’s biggest theatrical success.
“It Made Me Question My Ability”
Speaking at Anupama Chopra’s year-end roundtable, Karan Johar reflected on the films that stood out to him in 2025. While the year began on a high note for him with Saiyaara, it ended, he said, with Dhurandhar completely blowing him away.
Johar didn’t hold back while describing his reaction. He confessed that watching Dhurandhar made him feel like his own craft had limits — something he considers a positive jolt as a filmmaker.
What impressed him most wasn’t scale or spectacle, but restraint.
Why Dhurandhar Worked for Him
Johar pointed out that Aditya Dhar never seemed “self-aware” behind the camera. According to him, the film didn’t feel like it was trying to show off — yet every technical and emotional choice landed with precision.
He especially praised the use of background score, the controlled framing, and the way the story unfolded without flashy distractions. For Johar, Dhurandhar was proof that confident storytelling doesn’t need loud announcements of brilliance.
He described the experience as humbling — a film that quietly challenges other filmmakers to raise their game.
Other Films Johar Loved in 2025
Alongside Dhurandhar, Johar also named Saiyaara, starring Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda, as a film that stayed with him through the year. Another standout for him was Lokah: Chapter 1 – Chandra, the Malayalam female-led superhero film headlined by Kalyani Priyadarshan, which he said he absolutely “went mad” watching.
Together, the three films formed his personal cinematic high points of 2025.
Dhurandhar’s Box Office Run
Released on December 5, Dhurandhar saw explosive growth within days, driven largely by strong word-of-mouth and repeat audience viewings. The film’s sustained momentum has turned it into a rare phenomenon — one that continues to pull crowds weeks after release.
With a sequel already announced, the franchise now looks set to expand its footprint even further.
Final Words
When a filmmaker like Karan Johar says a movie made him question his own craft, it says a lot about the film’s impact. Dhurandhar hasn’t just dominated the box office — it’s sparked conversations, challenged peers, and quietly reset expectations for big-budget Indian action cinema.
And for Aditya Dhar, that might be the biggest win of all.
