In an era where large-scale spy thrillers are dominating the box office, filmmaker Sriram Raghavan is choosing a different path — and he’s perfectly comfortable doing so. The director, known for his sharp, dark thrillers and unconventional storytelling, recently opened up about why a film like Dhurandhar doesn’t align with his creative instincts, even as he applauds its success.
Respect for the film, distance from the format
In a recent conversation, Raghavan was asked to compare Aditya Dhar’s Dhurandhar with his own spy thriller Agent Vinod. His response was measured and candid. He praised Dhurandhar as a well-made film with strong performances, but made it clear that it represents a very different cinematic language.
According to him, cinema is evolving, and blockbuster formats like Dhurandhar are very much products of their time. But that doesn’t mean every filmmaker needs to chase the same template. Raghavan believes blindly following what works commercially would be creatively pointless — especially for someone with a distinct voice.
“Different sensibilities, different cinema”
Raghavan also acknowledged Aditya Dhar’s craft, stating that Dhar brings a sensibility and scale to filmmaking that he personally enjoys watching — just not replicating. The director emphasised that while Dhurandhar deserves its box office success, it shouldn’t be mistaken as the only way to make relevant cinema today.
For Raghavan, staying true to his storytelling style matters more than aligning with prevailing trends.
Dhurandhar’s unprecedented run
There’s no denying the scale of what Dhurandhar has achieved. The Ranveer Singh-led spy thriller has emerged as the highest-grossing Indian film of 2025, earning over ₹1,100 crore worldwide and more than ₹700 crore in India alone. It currently ranks as the seventh-highest-grossing Indian film of all time and marks Ranveer Singh’s first entry into the ₹1,000 crore club.
Its success has made it a frequent reference point in industry conversations — including this one.
Raghavan’s next chapter: Ikkis
While spy spectacles dominate screens, Sriram Raghavan is stepping into new territory with his upcoming film Ikkis. The project marks his first foray into the war epic genre, telling the story of Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, the youngest recipient of the Param Vir Chakra.
The film stars Agastya Nanda in the lead role, with Dharmendra playing his father — a role that will also mark the legendary actor’s final appearance on the big screen. The cast also includes Jaideep Ahlawat and Deepak Dobriyal. Ikkis is set for a January 1 theatrical release.
Final words
Sriram Raghavan’s comments highlight a crucial truth about modern cinema — success doesn’t demand uniformity. While Dhurandhar represents the peak of blockbuster filmmaking, directors like Raghavan continue to prove that personal voice and creative conviction still matter. Different films, different visions — and room for all of them to coexist.
