The producer of Dhurandhar chose Ranveer Singh over safe superstars, citing his unmatched ability to transform into every role without distraction.
When a movie costs a fortune to make, most producers play it safe by hiring the biggest names in the business just to guarantee opening day box office numbers. But for producer Jyoti Deshmukh, taking the safe route was never an option for director Aditya Dhar’s mega-project, Dhurandhar.
In a recent chat with Outlook Business, Jyoti spoke about casting Ranveer Singh in this blockbuster flick. She described the film as “clutter-breaking” and something that had never been seen before. For months, the team worked tirelessly on drafts and story iterations, knowing that every rupee spent had to shine on screen.
Jyoti explained that the team couldn’t take any safe or easy decisions because the film was already expensive to shoot. She pointed out that adding costly actors would have made the project unviable from the very beginning, so the focus was on choosing strong performers instead of ‘so-called’ stars.
The producer recalled her earlier collaborations with Ranveer in Ram-Leela and Bajirao Mastani, when he wasn’t yet the superstar he is today. She emphasized that Ranveer’s strength lies in his ability to disappear into a role. Whether it’s Bajirao, Khilji, or the Gully Boy, he becomes the character rather than playing himself. That transformative quality made him the perfect fit for Dhurandhar.
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More than just acting, the Bollywood star immersed himself completely in the project, dedicating himself to the film and doing nothing else during its making.
Deshpande also highlighted how the entire team, from director Aditya Dhar to the cinematographers, sound designers, and editors, was united by a shared purpose. Everyone poured their heart into the film, driven by the belief that they were creating something extraordinary. For Jyoti, it wasn’t just about making a movie; it was about defying odds and pushing boundaries. “If we don’t do this, we’re not alive,” she said, capturing the spirit of a project that demanded courage, creativity, and relentless determination.
In the end, this risky creative decision paid off in a massive way at the box office. The audiences connected deeply with the movie’s raw passion, making Dhurandhar a historic blockbuster hit.
