In a recent discussion, filmmaker Karan Johar addressed the divisive politics surrounding Aditya Dhar's action-spy thriller "Dhurandhar," starring Ranveer Singh, stating that he was not offended by the film's ideology and admired its cinematic craft. The movie, which has grossed ₹1328 crore worldwide, has been a commercial success but has also faced criticism, with some viewers finding its politics divisive.

Johar's comments came in response to a question about his views on "Dhurandhar's" politics during a chat shared on the YouTube channel of IIMUN. He stated, "I unabashedly, unapologetically, and absolutely, outstandingly loved Dhurandhar". He further explained that he appreciated the filmmaker's craft, storytelling, and the way the film was divided into chapters. He also said that he loved that the gaze was more internal and it was for speaking about politics in its own way.

Johar clarified that he did not have any ideological issue with the film, saying, "I actually wasn't offended by the politics of the film. I know where it was heading... I was not offended with any ideological issue in the film. I watched it for the craft, for the cinema aspect of it and I absolutely loved it". He added that "Dhurandhar" has a unique voice and that Aditya Dhar has emerged as a strong unique voice. He also mentioned, "I walked out feeling it was a nuanced film".

This isn't the first time Johar has praised "Dhurandhar." In late December 2025, at Anupama Chopra's book launch of "Dining with Stars," he lauded the film's direction and lack of self-awareness. He said he felt the director wasn't trying to show off his craft and was seamlessly telling the story. He also admired the film's use of background music and its visual treatment, noting the absence of overt self-consciousness in Dhar's direction.

Johar also reflected on how "Dhurandhar" impacted him as a filmmaker, confessing that it made him question his own abilities. He said the film made him feel like his own craft was limited in some ways. However, he viewed this as a positive, saying it's always a good thing to question one's abilities and that he sees it as growth.

"Dhurandhar", directed and written by Aditya Dhar, stars Ranveer Singh as an Indian agent navigating Pakistan's underworld. The film features Akshaye Khanna, Sanjay Dutt, R. Madhavan, and Arjun Rampal in supporting roles. While the film has received widespread commercial success, it has also drawn debate for its narrative and themes. Hrithik Roshan, for example, praised the film's storytelling but said he disagreed with its politics.

Karan Johar's defense of "Dhurandhar" and its director highlights the importance of separating artistic merit from ideological disagreements. He emphasized that cinema should allow for diverse perspectives and that viewers should be able to appreciate a film's craft even if they don't agree with its politics.