As Rajkumar Santoshi‘s ‘Batwara 1947’ continues its run in theatres, fans and critics have been drawing comparisons between the film and Aditya Dhar‘s ‘Dhurandhar’, especially around their differing takes on masculinity, patriotism, and the modern-day action hero. Now, the filmmaker has addressed these comparisons directly, heaping praise on both Aditya Dhar and Ranveer Singh while explaining why his own vision of the alpha male springs from a completely different cinematic tradition.
Rajkumar Santoshi has nothing but respect for ‘Dhurandhar’
Rajkumar Santoshi did not shy away from acknowledging the craft behind ‘Dhurandhar’. Calling Aditya Dhar “a very fine director,” he pointed to the success of ‘Uri’ as proof of his talent. He was equally generous in his praise for Ranveer Singh, calling his performance in Dhurandhar “fantastically performed.”However, Rajkumar Santoshi was quick to add that admiration doesn’t mean the two films should be judged by the same yardstick. He said, “Aditya has been very successful; he also made Uri, and I really respect his work. But that was his style. Every director and writer has their own emotions. And the part was fantastically performed by Ranveer.”
Rajkumar Santoshi’s idea of the alpha male
The conversation soon turned to how the “alpha male” has evolved in Hindi cinema. The filmmaker, known for iconic collaborations with Sunny Deol in ‘Ghayal’, ‘Damini’ and ‘Ghatak’, believes true masculinity was never about constant aggression. Referring to ‘Ghatak’, he said, “How many films can do the kind of action we have done? Something like a Ghatak is still quoted by the masses.” According to him, today’s action often leans towards a more performative version of toughness.Rajkumar Santoshi clarified that he isn’t against muscular action or asking his heroes to be passive; his concern lies with violence being used merely to prove masculinity. “Today people are using bad words, abusing, drinking; it’s so cheap. Sunny has played action heroes with dignity. He has played the role of a true macho guy. Those are powerful and memorable performances. We (Sunny and I) will do more action films but with standards and class. Not to show off strength but with good reasoning. There should be a good purpose to fight and hit a man,” he said.
On Ranveer Singh’s ‘Dhurandhar’ character
Rajkumar Santoshi also addressed the intensity of Ranveer Singh’s character in ‘Dhurandhar’, saying he understands the response to extreme torment. “When I feel my hero is going through that kind of torment, that kind of torture, he may react the same way, the way Ranveer Singh did,” he explained.
More about Sunny Deol’s character ‘Sikandar Mirza ‘
For ‘Batwara 1947’, Rajkumar Santoshi deliberately built Sunny Deol’s character, Sikandar Mirza, as someone whose strength goes beyond physicality. Set against the chaos of Partition, the film focuses more on the choices Mirza makes than on turning him into an invincible hero. The filmmaker concluded, “He is the most courageous character I have written. One can fight with a single army or a group of people, but to fight and take a stand against fanaticism in today’s time, impossible. Nobody will dare to do that.”Backed by Aamir Khan, ‘Batwara 1947’ also stars Shabana Azmi, Preity Zinta and Ali Fazal in pivotal roles.
