Mukesh Chhabra: Dhurandhar's 4-hour runtime changed how Bollywood thinks about film length
Synopsis
Casting director Mukesh Chhabra says 'Dhurandhar' — Ranveer Singh's four-hour espionage drama — has quietly rewritten Bollywood's internal debate on film length. His claim: industry conversations have shifted from 'cut it shorter' to 'is the story good enough?' — and director Aditya Dhar's uncompromising conviction is being credited as the catalyst.
Key Takeaways
Casting director Mukesh Chhabra said 'Dhurandhar' has changed how the Hindi film industry talks about runtime.
He praised director Aditya Dhar for his singular conviction and Ranveer Singh for bringing the lead role to life. 'Dhurandhar' runs approximately four hours and also stars Akshaye Khanna , Sanjay Dutt , R.
Madhavan , and Arjun Rampal .
Chhabra noted that industry conversations have shifted from demanding shorter cuts to focusing on story quality.
The film follows an undercover operative infiltrating Karachi's criminal underworld to prevent terrorist attacks against India.
Casting director Mukesh Chhabra has said that the Ranveer Singh-starrer 'Dhurandhar' has fundamentally shifted the Hindi film industry's attitude toward runtime, arguing that conviction in storytelling now outweighs pressure to cut films short. Chhabra made the remarks during an appearance on the chat show 'Shekhar Tonite', hosted by actor Shekhar Suman.
What Chhabra Said About Dhurandhar
Chhabra lauded the film's team for holding audience attention across a four-hour runtime in an era dominated by short-form content. “The context should be good. And today, I was watching a meme that in today's generation, where we see so many reels changing every second, there, you have shown for four hours and no one touched their phone. That was his conviction. Now, people's discussion has changed,” he said.
The 'his' in Chhabra's remarks refers to director Aditya Dhar, who both wrote and directed 'Dhurandhar'. The film also stars Akshaye Khanna, Sanjay Dutt, R. Madhavan, and Arjun Rampal.
A Shift in Industry Conversations
Chhabra observed that discussions in the industry have moved away from runtime-trimming toward story quality. “Wherever I go, they don't talk about time anymore. They have started talking about the story. They don't say, 'Make it short. Cut it for half an hour. One more song'. I have realized that if you have conviction it will land,” he said.
This is a notable reversal from the post-OTT boom period, when studios and producers routinely pushed for sub-two-hour cuts, citing dwindling theatrical attention spans. Chhabra's comments suggest that a well-executed long-form narrative can override that instinct.
Praise for Aditya Dhar and Ranveer Singh
Chhabra was particularly effusive about director Dhar's single-mindedness. “The best part with Aditya is that whenever you meet him, he is so calm and so sure about himself that he doesn't change his opinion for someone else. He had so much conviction that if I want this, I want this,” Chhabra said. He added that Ranveer Singh's performance was equally pivotal: “Hats off to Ranveer also. He gave life to that role and they both had such a combination. I saw that they were like 80s on set.”
About Dhurandhar
'Dhurandhar' follows an undercover Indian intelligence operative who infiltrates Karachi's criminal underworld to gather intelligence and prevent future terrorist attacks against India. Set against geopolitical tensions, gang rivalries, and covert operations, the film blends espionage with gritty crime drama. Ranveer Singh essays the role of Hamza Ali Mazari, while Akshaye Khanna portrays gangster Rehman Dakait.
Broader Significance for Bollywood
Chhabra's remarks arrive at a time when Bollywood is reassessing what audiences want from the theatrical experience. The success of longer films with strong narrative conviction — a trend also visible in recent pan-India releases — suggests that runtime is increasingly a secondary concern when the story holds. How producers and studios respond to this shift could shape theatrical release strategies in the coming year.
Point of View
But they reflect a genuine tension that has been building in Bollywood since OTT platforms pushed producers toward leaner theatrical cuts. The irony is that it may have taken a four-hour spy thriller — not an art-house experiment — to reset the default. If 'Dhurandhar' does sustain audience attention across that runtime, it will embolden other directors resisting studio pressure to trim. The harder question is whether this is a one-film anomaly driven by Ranveer Singh's star power and Aditya Dhar's track record, or the beginning of a structural shift in how Bollywood approaches theatrical storytelling.
NationPress
10 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Mukesh Chhabra say about Dhurandhar's impact on Bollywood?
Chhabra said 'Dhurandhar' has shifted industry conversations away from runtime and toward story quality. He noted that despite running approximately four hours, the film held audiences' attention — which he credited to director Aditya Dhar's storytelling conviction.
Who is in the cast of Dhurandhar?
'Dhurandhar' stars Ranveer Singh, Akshaye Khanna, Sanjay Dutt, R. Madhavan, and Arjun Rampal. Ranveer Singh plays undercover operative Hamza Ali Mazari, while Akshaye Khanna portrays gangster Rehman Dakait.
What is Dhurandhar about?
The film follows an undercover Indian intelligence operative who infiltrates Karachi's criminal underworld to gather intelligence and prevent terrorist attacks against India. It blends espionage with gritty crime drama set against geopolitical tensions and gang rivalries.
Who directed and wrote Dhurandhar?
'Dhurandhar' is both written and directed by Aditya Dhar, best known for directing 'URI: The Surgical Strike'. Chhabra singled out Dhar's refusal to compromise his creative vision as a key reason the film works despite its length.
Why does Mukesh Chhabra's observation matter for Bollywood?
Chhabra is a prominent casting director with deep industry ties, and his remarks suggest a mood shift among filmmakers and producers. If the industry genuinely stops pressuring directors to shorten films, it could allow more ambitious, long-form theatrical storytelling to emerge in Hindi cinema.
