Imtiaz Ali Says Bollywood Initially Did Not Support ‘Dhurandhar’, Questions Claims About Audience Attention Spans

Aditya Dhar’s spy thriller franchise Dhurandhar, starring Ranveer Singh, has emerged as one of the highest-grossing Indian film franchises in recent years. However, filmmaker Imtiaz Ali recently claimed that the film initially received little support from within the film industry.

Speaking at the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit (HTLS) 2026, Imtiaz questioned the popular argument that audiences were increasingly unwilling to watch lengthy films, pointing out that some of the biggest box-office successes in recent years have had unusually long runtimes.

“People are saying that attention span is missing in the audience, but the films which are doing well are three hours long. ‘Nothing long is working.’ People are citing Dhurandhar as an example of what is successful, but look at the length of that film,” he said.

The first instalment of Dhurandhar, released in December last year, runs for three hours and 34 minutes. Its sequel, Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge, released earlier this year, is even longer, with a runtime of three hours and 49 minutes.

Imtiaz’s observations highlight a changing trend in the Indian film industry, where lengthy theatrical releases are increasingly finding audiences despite concerns about declining attention spans and changing viewing habits.

‘Dhurandhar’ Challenges Bollywood’s Runtime Debate

For several years, filmmakers and industry professionals have debated whether audiences have become less willing to sit through lengthy theatrical releases.

The growing popularity of streaming platforms, shorter digital content and changing entertainment habits has frequently been cited as evidence that viewers prefer shorter films.

However, the commercial performance of Dhurandhar has challenged that assumption.

The franchise’s success suggests that audiences may still be willing to watch films exceeding three hours when they are invested in the story, characters and cinematic experience.

Imtiaz’s comments also underline the importance of distinguishing between a film’s duration and its ability to maintain audience engagement.

Imtiaz Ali Reflects on Industry Support

The filmmaker also claimed that Dhurandhar did not initially receive much encouragement from within the film fraternity, despite eventually becoming a major commercial success.

His remarks point to the gap that can sometimes exist between industry expectations and audience preferences.

Directed by Aditya Dhar, the franchise features Ranveer Singh in the lead role and combines espionage, action and geopolitical themes.

The films have attracted considerable attention for their scale, performances and extended storytelling, establishing the franchise as a significant theatrical phenomenon.

Imtiaz Ali, known for films such as Jab We Met, Rockstar and Tamasha, has himself frequently explored unconventional storytelling and complex emotional relationships in his cinema.

His comments at HTLS 2026 add to the ongoing discussion about the changing preferences of Indian moviegoers and the kinds of stories that can succeed at the box office.

The success of Dhurandhar has also renewed questions about whether filmmakers should continue to treat shorter runtimes as a commercial necessity or focus instead on delivering stories that justify their length.