"Dhurandhar ki kamai dekh kar lag raha hai ke ab Bollywood mein script ki nahi, sirf 'Cal-C' (calculator) ki zaroorat hai. Producer story nahi, GST return discuss kar rahe hain." (Looking at Dhurandhar's earnings, it feels like Bollywood doesn't need scripts anymore, just calculators. Producers aren't discussing stories, they're discussing GST returns.)
While the audience erupted in laughter, the reaction from Bollywood’s elite has been a mix of sporting humor and defensive pride.
The "Sporting" Response: Ranveer Singh & Aditya Dhar
Leading the charge with a sense of humor, the team behind the blockbuster took the joke in their stride:
Ranveer Singh: The 'Dhurandhar' star reshared the clip on his Instagram story with laughing emojis, adding, "Zakir bhai, calculator toh thak gaya, ab toh abacus nikaalna padega!" (Zakir brother, the calculator is tired, now we need an abacus!)
Aditya Dhar: The director noted that while the numbers are big, the "math" only works because the "emotion" connected. He quipped that he’s happy to be a "Chartered Accountant of Cinema" if it means the theaters stay full.
The "Defensive" Stance: Producers & Trade Analysts
Not everyone found the "script-less" comment funny. Some industry insiders felt the joke undermined the hard work of the writers:
Karan Johar: In a subtle post, the filmmaker remarked that "spectacle and story aren't enemies." He suggested that high-grossing films actually provide the financial cushion for smaller, script-driven films to exist.
Trade Analysts: Several prominent critics pointed out that Dhurandhar 2 actually received praise for its screenplay, arguing that "big math doesn't happen without a big heart."
The "Sakht Launda" Validation
Despite the slight friction, most figures agreed that Zakir’s observation reflects a real shift in the industry's obsession with "The ₹1,000 Crore Club."
Ayushmann Khurrana: Known for his script-heavy choices, Ayushmann liked the post and commented, "Agli baar script ke saath ek calculator free dena padega." (Next time, a calculator will have to be given free with the script.)
Social Media Sentiment: On X (formerly Twitter), the joke has sparked a wider conversation about whether "Mass Action" is slowly killing "Content Cinema."
SantaBanta Verdict:
Zakir Khan has a knack for saying what everyone is thinking but is too afraid to voice. While the Dhurandhar team has every right to celebrate their record-breaking run, Zakir’s joke serves as a gentle reminder that while "Calculators" show the profit, "Scripts" show the soul.
Given that several "content-heavy" films have struggled this year while actioners are breaking records, do you think Zakir's joke hits a little too close to home for today's writers?
