‘We wanted performers, not stars’: why Ranveer was cast in Dhurandhar

Aditya Dhar's directorial 'Dhurandhar,' Parts 1 and 2, has been one of the most watched and liked Bollywood movies that got released in recent times. The movie also did an impressive job at the box office. The movie comprises not only an engaging storyline and screenplay but is also loaded with noteworthy performances. In a recent interview, co-producer Jyoti Deshpande has revealed the reasoning behind casting Ranveer Singh in the much-anticipated action franchise. Speaking about the decision, she explained that the film's massive budget made it impractical to hire high-priced stars. Instead, the makers were looking for a strong performer who could carry the film on merit. According to Jyoti, they needed "a performer" rather than a "so-called star" and felt Ranveer Singh was the perfect choice for the role."I was underwriting an absolutely clutter-breaking film with cinematic excellence that had never been seen before." She said, “For more than six months, we were talking about it; there were several iterations of the draft and the story over those six months." Jyoti Deshpande reveals to Outlook Business.She also further explained, “We knew the film was expensive. Every penny had to land up on screen. There were no safe things we could do because it was already an expensive film to shoot. Now, if we added expensive actors as well, it was going to render the film unviable on day one. So we wanted performers rather than the so-called stars."“I had worked with Ranveer on Ram-Leela and Bajirao Mastani when he wasn’t this big. So I had worked with him when he was starting out, and I still believe those are some of my favorite films of Ranveer Singh. I find him an absolutely outstanding actor who gives it his all. He transforms into a character," Jyoti added.She continued, “I love that about him, the fact that he is not Ranveer Singh in that film. When he has to become Bajirao, he becomes Bajirao. When he has to become Khilji, he becomes Khilji. When he has to become the Gully Boy, he becomes the 'Gully Boy'. So he transforms; he doesn’t play Ranveer Singh."Jyoti also reasoned that Ranveer and the director were involved in the film beyond their designated work. She said, “Everyone was involved. Aditya Dhar, to begin with. And Ranveer Singh, the actor, who went all in and did nothing else for the duration of the film. Every technician who was part of that film, whether it’s cinematography, sound design, or editing, everyone was all in."“We all knew we were making something that had so much purpose, so much heart, that had never been seen before, that had never been done before. And it was almost like, if we don’t do this, we’re not alive. I mean, we have to do this against all odds. So it defied everything. I had to keep finding a way to move forward and not stop," she mentioned.'Dhurandhar' turned out to be a blockbuster success, shattering several box office records and emerging as one of the biggest hits of the year. Ranveer Singh got praised for his dual portrayal of Hamza Ali Mazari and Jaskirat Singh Rangi. The actor is currently gearing for his next 'Pralay,' where he stars opposite Kalyani Priyadarshan.Give your child the gift of confidence! Claim your exclusive TOI Masterclass spot today!