Imagine building something against all odds — only to have the people who should know best tell you it’s going to fail. That’s exactly the story Kunal Kohli just told the world, and Bollywood is listening.
In a candid interview with Screen, the acclaimed director of Hum Tum and Fanaa pulled back the curtain on a dirty little secret: the film industry doubted Dhurandhar badly.
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What Kunal Kohli Actually Said
Kohli revealed that “nobody supported Dhurandhar,” and that the biggest directors he spoke to confidently predicted the film would stop performing from Monday. Instead, it only gained momentum.
His words were blunt and refreshing: “It doesn’t matter if the industry supports you or not.”
He pointed to Border 2 as another example — a film dismissed by insiders that went on to cross ₹300 crore, making it a blockbuster by any measure.
Dhurandhar: By the Numbers
| Metric | Figure |
|---|---|
| Director | Aditya Dhar |
| Lead Actor | Ranveer Singh |
| Opening Day Collection | ₹102.55 crore nett |
| First Monday Collection | ₹65 crore |
| Total India Net (Week 4) | ₹1,088.62 crore+ |
| Global Performance | Strong — without China or Gulf markets |
This Isn’t New for Kunal
Here’s what makes this story even richer — Kunal has lived this before.
When he made Hum Tum in 2004, producer Aditya Chopra advised him not to attend the film’s preview show because industry insiders might not respond well.
Even Yash Chopra doubted the script, calling it unimpressive and comparing it unfavorably to Mujhse Dosti Karoge! — refusing to invest more than ₹7.5 crore, and even threatening not to put his name on it if it failed.
Hum Tum went on to win Kohli the Filmfare Award for Best Director, beating his own mentor, Yash Chopra, in the same category. History, it seems, has a sense of humor.
The Real Lesson Here
Kunal’s words aren’t just gossip — they’re a masterclass in trusting your instincts over industry noise.
He noted candidly that genuine support within Bollywood is rare, saying there’s very little “scratch my back”—and those who try often end up with a knife in the back instead.
That’s not bitterness. That’s hard-won wisdom from a filmmaker who’s seen both sides.
Quick Recap: Who Is Kunal Kohli?
Kunal is best known for directing Hum Tum (2004), Fanaa (2006), and Teri Meri Kahaani (2012) — with Hum Tum earning him the Filmfare Award for Best Director.
He’s now back with Bobby Aur Rishi Ki Love Story, championing the rom-com genre that Bollywood still underestimates.
Final Word
Kunal didn’t just comment on Dhurandhar — he reminded all of us that audiences, not insiders, decide what wins. Films don’t need industry WhatsApp group blessings. They need heart, craft, and a Monday that proves everyone wrong.
The biggest films often arrive without a red carpet of industry support. They arrive — and stay.
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