Veteran actress Ameesha Patel recently lauded director Aditya Dhar for his approach to casting in the blockbuster film "Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge." Patel emphasized that the industry should learn from Dhar's decision to cast trained actors over social media influencers. Her comments come as "Dhurandhar 2" continues its record-breaking run at the box office, sparking a wider debate about talent versus online popularity in Bollywood.
A Call for Authentic Filmmaking
Ameesha Patel shared her views on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, on Tuesday, March 24, 2026. She openly praised the success of "Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge," calling it an "eye opener" for the film industry. Patel stated that Aditya Dhar focused on making a genuine film rather than just a "project," and notably, he "casted actors and not instagrammars who trend at parties."She urged filmmakers to "stop making projects and start making films."[mid-day+19]
Patel's strong remarks highlight a growing concern within the industry regarding the increasing trend of prioritizing social media following over acting talent in film casting. Her comments resonated with many who advocate for performance-driven cinema. The success of "Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge" itself has drawn widespread acclaim from various celebrities. Stars like Alia Bhatt, Kangana Ranaut, Allu Arjun, Mahesh Babu, and even veteran actor Rajinikanth have publicly praised the film and Aditya Dhar's direction.Rajinikanth called Dhar the "Box Office-ka Baap" and described the Ranveer Singh-starrer as a "must-watch" for every Indian.[mid-day+10]
The Dhurandhar 2 Phenomenon
Aditya Dhar's "Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge," a spy thriller starring Ranveer Singh, has achieved phenomenal box office success since its release. In just six days, the film crossed an impressive Rs 575.67 crore in India net collections.Its India gross stands at Rs 687.43 crore.Globally, the film has collected approximately ₹919 crore, with Rs 231.57 crore coming from overseas markets. This makes it one of the biggest box office successes in recent times.[freepressjournal+2]
The film also achieved a significant milestone by surpassing the lifetime collections of other major hits like "Gadar 2," "Pathaan," and "Animal" within its first week. This performance has established "Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge" as the fifth-highest-grossing Hindi film of all time. The film's critical and commercial success is widely seen as a testament to its compelling story, strong performances, and meticulous filmmaking.[mid-day+2]
Inside the Meticulous Casting Process[mid-day+2]
A key factor contributing to the film's success, and a point emphasized by Ameesha Patel, is its casting. Mukesh Chhabra served as the casting director for "Dhurandhar: The Revenge." He revealed that the casting process for the film was incredibly extensive, taking two years of his life. The film, initially conceived as a single project, was later split into two parts due to its length, featuring nearly 300 characters.[timesofindia+1]
Chhabra and his team of eight assistants worked tirelessly to cast every single role, ensuring that each actor fit their character perfectly. He highlighted the importance of Aditya Dhar's clear vision. Chhabra stated that Dhar's precise brief helped him visualize what the director wanted, eliminating confusion in the casting process. He also noted that limiting interference from too many people helps maintain the quality of casting. Chhabra expressed satisfaction that audiences are discussing the actors who played various roles, underscoring the success of their detailed approach.[timesofindia+6]
The Broader Industry Debate on Casting[timesofindia]
Ameesha Patel's comments have fueled an ongoing discussion within the entertainment industry about the trend of casting social media influencers based on their follower counts. This practice has drawn criticism from several industry veterans who advocate for prioritizing acting talent and training. Actor and casting director Abhishek Banerjee has openly slammed this trend. He described it as a "reality" he faces as both a casting director and an actor.
Banerjee explained that the issue is not influencers becoming actors if they possess the talent. However, he finds it a "serious problem" when casting decisions are made based on follower numbers, even if a less talented candidate has more online popularity. He noted that the demand for actors with significant online followings has surged post-pandemic. Banerjee recounted instances where he missed out on roles because makers were only interested in casting individuals with millions of followers. He argued that social media followers do not necessarily translate to genuine acting ability or box office success.[indianexpress+9]
Veteran actor Hiten Tejwani also weighed in on the debate. He believes that trained actors will continue to find opportunities despite the rise of influencer casting. Tejwani stated that if a role requires a strong actor, filmmakers will choose someone who can justify the character, especially during tight shooting schedules where effective performance is crucial. He acknowledged that casting a popular face can boost visibility, but stressed the equal importance of having good actors.[indianexpress+3]
Globally, this discussion is also prevalent. American actor Ethan Hawke called the practice of casting based on social media following "crazy," sharing an experience where he was asked to cast individuals with 10 million followers despite their lack of acting experience. Indian filmmaker Manish Gupta noted that prioritizing popularity over talent has existed in the industry for years, with social media now replacing traditional media as the new metric of popularity. Jaaved Jaaferi also highlighted that large social media followings do not always translate into ticket sales.[timesofindia+2]
Ameesha Patel's strong endorsement of Aditya Dhar's casting philosophy in "Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge" underscores a desire for a return to fundamental filmmaking principles. Her comments, supported by the film's success and the wider industry dialogue, emphasize the importance of prioritizing genuine acting talent and storytelling over transient social media fame. The ongoing debate reflects a critical juncture for Bollywood as it navigates evolving audience expectations and casting strategies.[timesofindia]
