The comparisons between Aditya Dhar (director of Uri: The Surgical Strike and the recent Dhurandhar) and Sandeep Reddy Vanga have surged online, primarily triggered by the release of Dhurandhar (Hindi). This Ranveer Singh-led spy thriller, with its intense violence, gore, and runtime exceeding 3.5 hours, has drawn inevitable parallels to Vanga's 2023 blockbuster Animal, starring Ranbir Kapoor in the lead.
"Both directors craft long, A-rated (adults-only) action-dramas centered on hyper-masculine protagonists navigating emotional turmoil through brutal violence," a critic stated.
It all began with the release of the trailer for Dhurandhar, which sparked early buzz with "blood-soaked action sequences", leading viewers to assume it would "mimic Animal's shock-value style". However, critics note Dhar uses violence more "purposefully" rather than for provocation, as in Vanga's films. When you are making a movie on spies, the brutality becomes a part of the narrative. One review called Dhar's style better, saying it shows "how violence should be done".
Vanga is lauded for "provocative" storytelling that sparks outrage, debates, and hero-worship. His films thrive on "hype, shock value, and meme culture." Dhar, conversely, is interested in "structure, nationalism, and slow-burn control".
