‘Dhurandhar violence justified by story’: Ranveer Singh’s co-star Saumya Tandon, says ‘can’t make everyone happy’
In an interview with SCREEN, actor Saumya Tandon opened up about her experience of working with Ranveer Singh in Dhurandhar and the criticism the film's trailer is facing over its violent scenes.
Ranveer Singh starrer Dhurandhar has been facing the heat for its violent content since its trailer release. The Aditya Dhar directorial received online backlash over gore, sparking a debate about the portrayal of violence in Hindi cinema. In an interview with SCREEN, actor Saumya Tandon, who is a part of Dhurandhar, opened up about the flak. She also got candid about her experience of working with Ranveer and Akshaye Khanna.
When asked about the criticism regarding its violent shots, she said, “Somebody watches horror, some people don’t; some people like action films, others don’t. When you come to a common denominator, it’s very difficult to please everybody. We cannot make everyone happy. If something pleases you, go and watch it. Just because some people don’t like something, doesn’t mean it should be off the market.”
The actor further added, “I personally feel that if the violence is mindless and not adding to the story, just there for the sake of it, that surely doesn’t work for me. But, if there is something organically coming and justifying the story that you’re trying to tell, which is true with Dhurandhar, the intent should be focused on. Depends on how you’re telling a story. If the gory content is just for the sake of it, I wouldn’t support it.”
Appreciating Akshaye’s acting skills, Saumya expressed, “When I was seeing Akshaye Khanna do a scene, I was awed by the kind of magic he brings on the screen. When you are standing with somebody who is a really good performer, a Dhurandhar himself, your level of work automatically improves. He is such a fantastic actor. I was concerned how will I hold my ground with him in front of me.”
She also recalled visiting the Wagah Border and Golden Temple in Amritsar with Akshaye Khanna. “We both went to the Wagah border and the Golden Temple. He didn’t take any VIP treatment or special lines, just bought the regular ticket and we were in the line for 45 minutes like other people there. He is so grounded and level-headed, didn’t even once he thought that he will be mobbed.”
Saumya Tandon heaped praises for her co-star and the film’s lead actor Ranveer Singh as well. “It was a tough film for him, he worked so hard on it. There was so much extra energy needed in the fighting scenes. We chatted a couple of times, but very less, because he was mostly keeping to himself as he was preserving his energy, there was a lot to do. He has been filming since a year and a half. He was extremely kind and sweet to me, very jovial. He is a very special actor, gives all in when he is in a scene,” she shared.
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Backed by Jio Studios and directed by Aditya Dhar, it is scheduled to hit the theatres on December 5. It also features R Madhavan and Arjun Rampal.
Navya Kharbanda is an Entertainment Journalist and Cinematic Commentator at The Indian Express, where she specializes in bridging the gap between classic Bollywood heritage and contemporary Gen-Z perspectives. Her work is characterized by a blend of nostalgia-driven analysis and on-the-ground reporting from major film festivals and industry events.
Experience & Professional Background
Navya is a prominent voice on The Indian Express entertainment desk, known for her ability to secure candid interviews with both legendary veterans and rising stars. Her career highlights include:
The Indian Express: Covers a wide range of topics from high-stakes box office analysis to in-depth celebrity profiles. She is a regular at major events like the International Film Festival of India (IFFI).
SCREEN Interviews: Navya has conducted a series of "exclusive conversations" for SCREEN, featuring industry stalwarts like Anupam Kher, Vishal Bhardwaj, Vidhu Vinod Chopra, and Suhasini Maniratnam.
Archival Reporting: She is noted for her sensitive handling of archival interviews and retrospectives, recently covering the legacy of late superstar Dharmendra and the career reflections of the late Satish Shah.
Expertise & Focus Areas
Navya’s beat is uniquely defined by her "Gen-Z Revisit" series, where she re-evaluates cult classics through a modern lens. Her core areas of expertise include:
Cinematic Retrospectives: Analyzing 80s and 90s landmarks like Satyam Shivam Sundaram, Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak, and Mohabbatein to explore how themes of romance and rebellion resonate with today’s youth.
Industry Insights: Tracking the career resurgences of actors (e.g., Akshaye Khanna) and the evolving dynamics of film production and distribution in the OTT era.
On-Set Dynamics: Reporting on behind-the-scenes stories from major productions, ranging from the technical challenges of Mirzapur: The Film to the work ethics of superstars like Shah Rukh Khan.
South Indian Cinema: Expanding her coverage to include the impact of regional icons and the rise of pan-Indian fantasy epics like Magadheera.
Authoritativeness & Trust
Navya Kharbanda has established her authority by consistently providing "Journalism of Courage" in the entertainment sphere. Whether she is interrogating the sexism in patriarchal classics or reporting on the fair-pay debates at international film festivals, her work prioritizes factual accuracy and critical objectivity. Her ability to synthesize deep industry history with modern audience trends makes her a trusted source for readers seeking both entertainment news and thoughtful cultural commentary. ... Read More
