In a fresh twist in Bollywood’s ongoing debates over credit and stardom, actor Varun Dhawan has found himself at the centre of a social media storm after his comments on the blockbuster success of Dhurandhar, starring Ranveer Singh. During a casual conversation with his father, veteran director David Dhawan, Varun suggested that the spy action thriller’s triumph was primarily a victory for director Aditya Dhar rather than its lead actor.
The exchange, which surfaced online on May 26, 2026, has triggered furious reactions from netizens, particularly Ranveer Singh’s devoted fan base, who see it as an attempt to undermine the actor’s contribution.
In the clip, David Dhawan reflected on the evolving dynamics of the film industry, noting how actors continue to play a dominant role in a film’s success. Varun, however, countered by citing Dhurandhar as an example. “Today, when you see Dhurandhar, you see someone like Aditya Dhar and the way he made the film. Toh woh toh director ki jeet thi na?” (So that was the director’s win, right?), he remarked. David Dhawan partially agreed, calling Aditya Dhar “one of a kind,” but maintained that actors generally have a bigger hand in a film’s outcome.
The remarks quickly went viral, with many interpreting them as subtle shade towards Ranveer Singh. Social media platforms, especially Reddit and X (formerly Twitter), erupted with strong defenses of the Gully Boy star. One user wrote, “Any movie is a team effort. Just having a good director doesn’t make a film work either. You need a strong cast that can bring the story alive.” Another fan asserted, “Ranveer was the best thing in the entire movie(s). He was consistently fantastic and brilliant.”
Several comments accused Varun of jealousy. “It’s so evident that Varun is jealous of Ranveer. He cannot even pull off half of what Ranveer achieved with Dhurandhar,” one netizen posted. Others pointed out the selective narrative: “Had it been a flop it would be Ranveer’s flop.” Some fans acknowledged the director’s role but stressed that Ranveer’s high-energy performance and mass appeal were crucial to the film’s widespread success.
Dhurandhar, a high-octane action film directed by Aditya Dhar (known for Uri: The Surgical Strike), has been a massive commercial hit. Its sequel, Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge, continues to perform strongly at the box office, nearing ₹1,150 crore net, with an OTT premiere scheduled soon. The franchise has significantly boosted Ranveer’s image as a bankable action star.
This isn’t the first time Bollywood insiders have debated the balance between star power and directorial vision. Industry observers note that such discussions often reflect deeper insecurities and rivalries in an increasingly competitive space where big openings depend on both content and celebrity pull.
As of now, neither Varun Dhawan nor Ranveer Singh has issued an official response to the controversy. Meanwhile, Varun is gearing up for the release of his father’s directorial Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai alongside Mrunal Thakur and Pooja Hegde, set for June 4.