‘Masculine Spine’ and Modern Cinema: Vanga’s Praise Lifts Dhurandhar

Aditya Dhar’s Dhurandhar continues to consolidate its position as one of the most discussed Hindi films of the year, not only for its box-office performance but also for the growing chorus of support it is receiving from across the film industry. The latest and perhaps most striking endorsement has come from filmmaker Sandeep Reddy Vanga, whose comments have added both momentum and a fresh layer of debate around the film.

Taking to social media platform X, the Animal director praised Dhurandhar for carrying what he described as a “masculine spine,” calling it a film that moves with dominance and ferocity. Vanga highlighted the film’s clarity of vision, restrained execution, and lack of narrative chaos, while commending its music, performances, screenplay, and direction. He singled out Akshaye Khanna and Ranveer Singh for their immersive portrayals, noting that both actors disappeared completely into their respective characters.

Beyond technical appreciation, Vanga also thanked director Aditya Dhar for presenting what he called the “true weight of untold sacrifices,” a remark that many observers read as a nod to the film’s emotional and thematic undercurrents beneath its action-driven exterior.

Dhar responded with equal warmth, saying that the praise held particular significance coming from a filmmaker he has long admired. In his reply, Dhar acknowledged Vanga’s fearlessness in standing by his cinematic convictions and his belief in unapologetic storytelling. He described Dhurandhar as a film shaped with sincerity, restraint, and conviction, adding that such validation reinforces the collective responsibility of filmmakers to strive for stronger and braver cinema.

The exchange has drawn attention not just because of the names involved, but because it comes at a time when Dhurandhar is already enjoying a strong theatrical run. Trade reports indicate that the film has crossed major box-office milestones globally, cementing its status as a commercial success as well as a critical talking point.

Vanga’s use of the phrase “masculine spine,” however, has also triggered a wider conversation online. In recent years, masculinity in mainstream Hindi cinema has become a contested subject, often debated in the context of evolving audience sensibilities and changing social narratives. Given Vanga’s own filmography and the discussions surrounding his work, his praise for Dhurandhar is being interpreted by many as both an artistic endorsement and a statement within this larger cultural discourse.

Industry support for Dhurandhar has not been limited to Vanga alone. Filmmakers such as Ram Gopal Varma have described the film as a significant leap in mainstream cinema, while Karan Johar and Siddharth Anand have also publicly applauded its craft and performances. The consistent backing from directors across different creative sensibilities has strengthened the perception of Dhurandhar as a film that has struck a chord within the fraternity.

Starring Ranveer Singh in the lead role, alongside Akshaye Khanna, Sanjay Dutt, and R Madhavan, Dhurandhar has positioned itself as more than just a commercial entertainer. With reports already hinting at a sequel in the works, the film appears to be laying the foundation for a larger cinematic universe.

As the conversations around its themes, tone, and cultural positioning continue, Dhurandhar stands at an intersection where commercial success, artistic endorsement, and ideological debate converge making it one of the most defining Hindi films of the current cinematic moment.