- Former Deputy NSA Pankaj Saran prefers Dhurandhar 2 over the first film despite its violence
- Saran praised Dhurandhar 2 for setting a new benchmark in Indian cinema production quality
- He supports director Aditya Dhar's use of artistic licence in depicting real events
Former Deputy National Security Advisor Pankaj Saran is the latest addition to the ever-growing list of Dhurandhar 2 fans.
Pankaj Saran, a 1982-batch officer of Indian Foreign Service, said he loved the second part of the Ranveer Singh-starrer more than the first part that released in December.
The former NSA also said that while the film sets a "benchmark" for the Indian film industry, he had his issues with the gratuitous violence in Dhurandhar 2.
"I love the film. I love Dhurandhar 2 more than Dhurandhar 1, minus the violence which I thought was over the top. But in terms of cinema, production, skills, quality, it sets a new benchmark for the Indian film industry. It's going to be very difficult for others to match up. We have grown up seeing all kinds of movies, but they were all so amateurish. This one is really professional," Pankaj Saran told ANI in a podcast.
#WATCH | On ‘Dhurandhar' movie, Former Envoy & Deputy NSA Pankaj Saran says, "... I think in terms of cinema, production, skills, quality, it sets a new benchmark for the Indian film industry... A lot of these incidents, names, and people are real. We have grown up in an era when… pic.twitter.com/nU6rwRejUW
— ANI (@ANI) March 31, 2026
The retired diplomat, who also served as the Joint Secretary in the Prime Minister's Office between 2007 and 2012, also backed Dhurandhar 2 director Aditya Dhar's vision for the film based on "incredible real events".
"When it comes to the actual films, a lot of these incidents, names, and people are real. We have grown up in an era when we were fed with Hollywood films, which would make caricatures of Nazis, of the Russians, and create that enemy image. Really challenge your imagination and you would buy it all," he said.
"I think it's fun. If the director has decided to use artistic licence to exaggerate a particular story and it's based on real incidents, I think it needs no justification. It is pretty much in keeping with the culture of movie making globally," he added.
Recently, Finland's President Alexander Stubb spoke about his love for Dhurandhar.
"Interestingly enough, before I came to India, my son suggested that I should watch Dhurandhar, and I did. And of course, I was one part of the narrative. I am happy to fight against terrorism and look forward to the sequel on March 19," Stubb had said.
Dhurandhar 2, which released in cinemas on March 19, is set to enter the Rs 900 crore club in India. The film also stars R Madhavan, Sanjay Dutt, Arjun Rampal, Sara Arjun, Rakesh Bedi, Gaurav Gera, and Danish Pandor.
Also Read | Priyanka Chopra's Shout-Out To Dost Ranveer Singh, 'Man With A Mission' Aditya Dhar On Dhurandhar 2 Success
