What made the statement even more striking was Imtiaz’s candid admission: he hasn't even seen the movie yet!
The "Theatrical Saviour" Remark 🎥
Despite his own upcoming release schedule, Imtiaz took a moment to celebrate the ₹1,400 crore+ success of the Aditya Dhar-directed spy thriller:
The Quote: "I have not seen Dhurandhar yet, but I know that there are many beautiful things in it. People liked it a lot. I would like to thank them for bringing audiences back to theatres, and I hope it continues. I would like to congratulate the Dhurandhar team," Imtiaz told the media.
The Impact: He emphasized that commercial juggernauts like Dhurandhar 2 are essential because they renew the public's habit of choosing the big screen over OTT, especially during a time when audience patterns have been shifting.
Imtiaz’s Next: 'Main Vaapas Aaunga' 🚂
While praising the competition, Imtiaz also shared fresh details about his own highly anticipated project, 'Main Vaapas Aaunga':
The Reunion: The film marks his second consecutive collaboration with Diljit Dosanjh after the 2024 hit Amar Singh Chamkila. Imtiaz called it his "good fortune" to work with Diljit back-to-back.
The Story: Set against the backdrop of the 1947 Partition, the movie is described as a soulful tale of "love and longing."
The Cast: Alongside Diljit, the film stars Vedang Raina (playing a younger version of Naseeruddin Shah), Sharvari, and Naseeruddin Shah himself.
Release Date: Mark your calendars for June 12, 2026.
The 'Dhurandhar' Celebrity Fan Club
Imtiaz joins a growing list of legends who have tipped their hats to Ranveer Singh's "Hamza" era:
Priyanka Chopra Jonas: Shared a heartfelt Instagram story today, calling Aditya Dhar a "man with a mission" and the film a "revelation."
Nag Ashwin: The Kalki 2898 AD director recently praised the "genius" of Aditya Dhar's world-building in the sequel.
Vicky Kaushal: Previously took to social media to celebrate his Manmarziyaan co-star's record-breaking performance.
SantaBanta Verdict:
It’s refreshing to see a filmmaker like Imtiaz Ali, known for his poetic and intimate storytelling, celebrate a high-octane actioner like Dhurandhar 2. It proves that when cinema wins, everyone wins. With the A.R. Rahman - Irshad Kamil duo handling the music for Main Vaapas Aaunga, we might just have another theatrical storm brewing for June!
