New Delhi:
Kangana Ranaut has praised the success of the Dhurandhar franchise, calling it a turning point that has helped reconnect audiences with Hindi cinema.

Speaking on an ANI podcast, Kangana spoke warmly about the film directed by Aditya Dhar and headlined by Ranveer Singh, describing its success as a sign that audiences are once again embracing culturally rooted storytelling.

She said the film industry had, in recent years, begun losing touch with audiences, leading to declining engagement.

‘Dhurandhar Revived The Film Industry’: Kangana Ranaut

Reflecting on the broader state of Hindi cinema, Kangana said that the industry had experienced a phase where audiences felt disconnected from the stories being told.

According to her, regional films — particularly from South India — gained prominence during this period because they remained culturally relevant and closely connected to audiences.

“If you see the spirit of the film industry, in a way, it was becoming disconnected from the country. Audience participation had declined, studios were depleting, and people didn’t want to watch these films anymore,” she said.

Kangana noted that films grounded in relatable narratives have found strong acceptance among viewers.

“With such relevant films, people want to watch them. The country has identified such films. You can see how the film has done amazing business as people wanted to see their own stories. Dhurandhar has revived the film industry and given new hope,” she added.

Kangana Calls R. Madhavan ‘Terrific’ As Ajit Doval

Kangana also reserved special praise for R. Madhavan, who portrayed Ajit Doval in the film.

She described Madhavan’s performance as authentic and powerful, noting that he captured the personality of the real-life figure convincingly.

“Madhavan was terrific in the film. I have met Ajit Dovalji, and he has a huge personality. I think there should be an entirely separate film on Ajit Doval. Only then would an actor be able to do justice to his character,” she said.

Kangana further added that Madhavan brought depth and nuance to the role, making the character feel realistic and impactful on screen.

The two actors previously worked together in popular films like Tanu Weds Manu and its sequel Tanu Weds Manu Returns.

Kangana Says She Has ‘Made Peace’ With Karan Johar

During the conversation, Kangana also addressed her past differences with filmmaker Karan Johar.

She had earlier referred to Johar as the “flag bearer of nepotism” during an appearance on Koffee with Karan Season 5 — a remark that sparked widespread debate in the industry.

However, Kangana now appears to have softened her stance.

“I have made peace with him. I don’t think Karan Johar is a bad person. He’s just proudly superficial, flecky, flashy. He likes that. He’s proud of that,” she said.

She also acknowledged his sense of humour, adding that she no longer holds personal grievances against him.

Kangana Ranaut’s Recent And Upcoming Projects

While Kangana is currently focusing on her political career, she was last seen in the film Emergency, where she portrayed former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

Reports suggest that she may soon return to the big screen with sequels to two of her most popular films:

• Queen 2
• Tanu Weds Manu 3

Fans are now eagerly waiting for official announcements regarding these projects.